If you want to bring some culture into your family’s lives and are looking for a literary based trip with the children, where could be better than The Treasures of the British Library? The British library is the second largest in the world and holds 150 million items. It’s a serious research library rather than a place to find a kids’ corner with a range of picture books and you have to be a member to access reading materials. You won’t be taking books home with you unless you visit the excellent bookshop on site.
This huge collection has some interesting highlights for families. I confess we popped in on a whim, as we were staying in a hotel next door, rather than because we were planning an educational literary journey. What we found was far more than we were expecting. I won’t be showing you a lot of photos on this post because photography isn’t allowed in the collections. You need to go and see them with your own eyes! There is no cost and it’s well worth a visit if you are in London.
TREASURES OF THE BRITISH LIBRARY
The Sir John Ritblat Treasures of the British Library Gallery is an astonishing collection of key pieces of interest. There is literally something for everyone in this fascinating collection. An original Magna Carta, the Lindisfarne Gospels, Beowolf, Handel’s Messiah written by Handel himself, writings of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen and let’s not forget Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook.
All of these treasures are originals, stored carefully (in some cases for hundreds of years) and available to everyone to see for free, in a darkened room in the middle of London.
If that all sounds highbrow, the collection includes the Beatles’ original lyrics for various songs, some written quite literally on the backs of envelopes and cards. Original drafts of Ian Fleming’s James Bond sit alongside 600 year old bibles.
Some exhibits particularly appealed to my 9 year olds. A letter from Florence Nightingale reporting on the conduct and ability of her nurses was one and correspondence between Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII another. Each case reveals another story, another piece of history. A letter from Churchill, writing by Darwin, the fascinating stories told by the writers of these documents forming part of British and international history for centuries. Items come and go from the collection here.
As you walk around the darkened room you hear people exclaiming and calling to each other quietly as they discover something else. I hadn’t been expecting that Sunday morning to see documents relating to the beginnings of the British constitution, the founding of the Christian monasteries or even discovering quite how short some of the Beatles songs really are. The gallery is a treasure trove of literary achievement in all its forms.
If you want to enlighten and inspire your family, the place to go for a trip through Britain’s literary legacy is undoubtedly the British Library.
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WHERE JO GOES -CITY BREAKS WITH KIDS
Porto – Jardins do Palacio de Cristal/Porto- Food Tour/Porto City Highlights/New York/Oxford UK/London – Greenwich/HMS Belfast/British Library/O2 Arena/Royal Albert Hall/World’s Biggest Lego Store/Ham House /Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre/
Linking up with
Where better to visit on world book day, I’m embarrassed to say I have never been myself #CityTripping
Author
Neither had I till this year! It deserves more prominence on the tourist trail. Thanks for reading.
Love this! Thank you for sharing! It’s definitely going on my next time I’m in London list… #citytripping
Author
Such a lot of amazing things in one room! Thanks for reading.
I can’t believe I’ve never been to the library either. I obviously spent too much time in the British Museum. #CityTripping
Author
I love the British Museum too!
What a great idea to celebrate.
Author
Well worth a pop in! Thanks for reading.
Never been but I am wondering why! Looks like a wonderful place to visit! #citytripping
Author
Lots of fun for Lego fans!
I’ve been into the British Library a few times, but I haven’t yet explored all it has to offer. I really want to go back to look at the Magna carta now! And I’m slightly taken aback that it’s almost 20 years since the first Harry Potter. Where do the years go? I came to this post via #citytripping, but it would be perfect for my own #CulturedKids too, if you wanted to link up with another great linky this Friday (3 March). We’d be delighted to have you!
Author
Thanks Nell I would love to! My husband is a lawyer so he was well excited to see the Magna Carta. They have a great little film explaining it too.
Just re-read via #CulturedKids. Thanks for linking up!
We love the British Library, always something good to see #CityTripping
Author
Yes I think the Harry Potter exhibition will be very popular! Thanks for reading.
What an eclectic range of artefacts. I really must visit especially with the Harry Potter exhibition. Like your idea of combining with the studio tour for a Potter filled weekend! Thanks for linking #citytripping
Author
Eclectic about sums it up! Thanks for hosting #citytripping
Author
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I must visit it:) #culturedkids
This is honestly a place I would never thought was a good place for kids. Goon for you for giving it a go! #CulturedKids
Oops, today is typo day đ Of course I mean GOOD for you. Can I blame that one on having the twins trying to tell me it is lunch time at 11am? I used to be able to think straight, I swear.
I am embarrassed to say I had no idea that this was all in the British Library… as I’ve never been either! What a fascinating collection, must go and check it out #citytripping
Author
I’d love to have a root around some of the bookshelves! Such a fascinating place. Thanks for hosting #citytripping
An excellent destination for World Book Day. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in that library for work purposes but never with the kids. Sounds like a good offering.
#culturedkids
Author
What a wonderful environment to work in. 150 million books! đ Thanks for reading.
Thanks for this. I didn’t know about the Roald Dahl exhibition, we are reading ‘George’s marvellous medicine at the moment’ Kitty loves Quentin Blake’s drawings. My friend once interviewed him and it was Valentines and she asked him to draw something for her husband and he did !! What a lovely man. Anyway thanks for the post.
Author
Wow that is an awesome Quentin Blake story! Lucky husband! Thanks for reading. My kids are 9 and still like ve Roald Dahl â¤
What a wonderful way to spend a day! We visited the British Library some years ago and loved it. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Author
It certainly has the wow factor!
Coming from the US it amazes me that this is free! It sounds so interesting, I love all those authors, so definitely will add to my London to do list. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Author
It’s definitely worth a stop!
Wow, I never realized there was so much to see at the British Library. Thank you for sharing. I’m definitely going to plan a visit. #theweeklypostcard
Author
150 million items! đ
I have never been but sounds like a fun place to explore. Interesting to hear they are doing something for the Harry Potter anniversary, it is a much talked about anniversary up here in Edinburgh as well đ
Author
Yes I had a look for what was happening in Edinburgh but couldn’t find any specifics. I’ll keep an eye out!
I’ve never been to BL with kids before… well not inside with them yet but we had stopped by in the garden to have picnics. I can’t wait for my kids to get stuck into these books so I can take them in without braking anything! lol! #FamilyDaysOut @Britmums
Author
Yes they need to be probably junior school age to appreciate it!
This is a great resource. I wish I had visited when I was in London several years ago. My daughter would love to visit the Harry Potter exhibit when it arrives.
Author
Tickets went on sale last week it looks fascinating!
OK, we’ll be in London this May. I’m adding the library to my itinerary! Thanks for linking up this week! #wkendtravelinspiration
Being a nerdy librarian, the British Library was one of the highlights of my trip to London, many years ago!!
Author
Of course! đ What could better!
150 million items!! that’s a lot. My kids don’t know Harry Potter yet, otherwise, it would have been a great way to spend a day
I’ve always wanted to go inside and look around but always felt too awkward to do it! I’ll def have to next time Im in that part of town now! #wanderfulwednesday
I love the British Library! Had no clue about this HP exhibit though and now I’m desperate to go!!!
I absolutely loved Roald Dahl as a kid (and now!) and Quentin Blake’s illustrations. I would visit this just for that alone!
Awww I would love to visit tha Harry Potter Exhibition! Guess that’s a good “excuse” to visit London before the year ends…
What a brilliant trip! Are there any exhibits there which would appeal to younger children? What age do you think they would need to be to get the most out of a trip? Thank you #TheListLinky
Author
I would say it’s for children who are age 8+ rather than younger ones. Thanks for reading.