Worth a Journey

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The World’s 100 Best Libraries

Library of Birmingham

Birmingham, United Kingdom

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST LIBRARIES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 33 2026
Library of Birmingham

A public central library in Centenary Square, housed in a modern building with open, bright interiors. Visitors see wrap-around bookshelves, reading and study spaces, and rooftop gardens with views over the city.

Highlights

  • Shakespeare Memorial Room
  • Secret Garden rooftop terrace
  • Wrap-around bookshelves

Good to know

  • Free entry
  • Opens 11am Saturdays, queues form beforehand
  • Rooftop terrace closes earlier, sometimes closed

Also in the United Kingdom

  1. John Rylands Library N° 29 John Rylands Library Manchester Historic library
  2. Liverpool Central Library N° 41 Liverpool Central Library Liverpool Public library
  3. Bodleian Library N° 56 Bodleian Library Oxford University library