st.vincent's travel recommendations

The British Library is located between Euston and Kings Cross stations and is more than just a library. There are eleven reading rooms but you will need to register in advance and obtain a readers pass. The public gallery has some fascinating exhibits including a 10th century Buddhist prayer sheet, Akbar’s five poems of Nizami, the memoirs of Babar and the Lindisfarne Gospels as well as sacred texts from many of the worlds religions. There is a special display of the Magna Carta and many old maps and historical documents. More up to date the music section includes Beatles lyrics scrawled on scraps of paper, napkins, even the back of a birthday card. The Front Page exhibition runs to 8th Oct 2006 celebrating 100 years of newspapers with front pages showing many of the major events of the past 100 years. The piazza outside is popular and is overlooked by a large statue of Isaac Newton and includes a quiet circular garden which is very peaceful.

Address: 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB London United Kingdom Phone: + 0870 444 1500 E-mail: Visitor-Services@bl.uk Price: budget