British Library

The British Library is among the greatest libraries in the world. With over 12 million books, magazines, original manuscripts, and other items in 1996 this amazing museum like library began moving to a new housing in St. Pancras. The new home is modernistic and a stark contrast to the old style glamour of the library’s former dwelling at the British Museum. You are also far more likely to get a requested book in the same visit than the traditional 3 days at the original location. The amazing collections include historic items such as two of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, an original Gutenberg Bible, the last letter that Admiral Nelson wrote to Lady Hamilton, and the very interesting journals of the pirate Captain Cook. A 1758 statue of Shakespeare by Roubiliac stands guard over a case of documents that relate to the famous Bard. These documents include a mortgage that has his signature on it and a copy of his First Folio of 1623. Visitors can take an audio-guided tour of several of the attractions including hearing James Joyce read a passage from Finnegan’s Wake. There are dozens of other curiosities that make the British Library a must-see destination while visiting London.

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