Last updated: 10 March 2023
If you need a quite place to work or would like to use WiFi without feeling obliged to buy something then head to a library. All public libraries in central London have free WiFi and PC’s with internet access*.
In general, anyone can read the books, magazines and newspapers. If you want to borrow books you need to become a member.
*To use the PC’s or free WiFi, you usually need to be a member or a guest member. Any UK resident can become a guest member with proof of residence. If you’re visiting London from outside the UK you need to show your passport.
London library facilities
Most London libraries offer the following facilities:
- Fiction & non-fiction books to borrow
- Reference books & directories
- Free WiFi (you need to register)
- PC’s free for 1 hour per day (you need to register)
- UK national newspapers and magazines
- Photocopying
- Printing
- Scanning
Opening hours
The majority of libraries are open Monday to Saturday.
Charing Cross, Paddington, Pimlico and Marylebone libraries are open on Sunday. Please check the times on their websites before visiting. Some are only open Sunday afternoon.
The City of London libraries are mainly open Monday–Friday apart from the Barbican library which opens on Saturday.
View all central London libraries on a map.
West End
Westminster Reference Library (Westminster)
35 St Martin’s St
London
WC2H 7HP
Tube station: Leicester Square
Website
This is a reference library. No books are available to borrow.
Charing Cross Library (Westminster)
4-6 Charing Cross Rd
London
WC2H 0HF
Tube station: Leicester Square
Website
Holborn Library (Camden)
32-38 Theobold’s Rd
London
WC1X 8PA
Tube station: Holborn/Russell Square
Website
Mayfair Library (Westminster)
25 South Audley St
London
W1K 2PB
Tube station: Green Park/Marble Arch
Website
King’s Cross
Pancras Square Library (Camden)
5 Pancras Square
London
N1C 4AG
Tube station: King’s Cross St Pancras
Website
Paddington & Marylebone
Marylebone Library (Westminster)
9-11 New Cavendish St
London
W1G 9UQ
Tube station: Bond St/Baker St/Regent’s Park
Website
Paddington Library (Westminster)
Porchester Rd
London
W2 5DU
Tube station: Royal Oak/Bayswater
Website
Victoria
Victoria Library (Westminster)
160 Buckingham Palace Rd
London
SW1W 9UD
Tube station: Victoria
Website
Pimlico Library (Westminster)
Pimlico Academy
Lupus St
London
SW1V 3AT
Tube station: Pimlico
Website
Kensington & Earl’s Court
Brompton Library (Kensington & Chelsea)
210 Old Brompton Rd
London
SW5 0BS
Tube station: Earl’s Court
Website
Kensington Central Library (Kensington & Chelsea)
Phillimore Walk
London
W8 7RX
Tube station: High St Kensington
Website
The City
Barbican Library (City of London)
Silk St
London
EC2Y 8DS
Tube station: Barbican
Website
Shoe Lane Library (City of London)
Little Hill House
Little New St
London
EC4A 3JR
Tube station: Chancery Lane
Website
Artizan Street Library (City of London)
1 Artizan St
London
E1 7AF
Tube station: Liverpool St/Aldgate
Website
Chelsea
Chelsea Library (Kensington & Chelsea)
Chelsea Old Town Hall
King’s Road
London
SW3 5EZ
Tube station: Sloane Square, then 13 minute walk or bus
Website
Notting Hill
Notting Hill Gate library (Kensington & Chelsea)
1 Pembridge Square
Notting Hill
London
W2 4EW
Tube station: Notting Hill Gate
Website
Map of central London public libraries