great libraries in the British Isles

You may already know of this one, but if not, you could start your list with the British Library in London, which has one of the world's greatest collections of books and manuscripts. An amazing place. The oldest complete Bible in existence (along with one in the Vatican); an original King James Bible from 1611; the first book printed in Europe using movable type; a Leonardo notebook; an original copy (the original) of the Magna Carta; the notebook Newton used to work out calculus; and much more!

After Kent's excellent suggestion, your next stop should be the Bodleian Library at Oxford. It's second in size to the British Library, and is the main research library at Oxford. It is strictly a reference library and does not lend books. However, it is not generally open to the public. If you want to visit, you have to request a reader's card in advance if you're not affiliated with the University.

both great suggestions,guys. Is the pass to the Bodleian difficult/take time to get? My husband and I are both keen to see it.

There are a few chained libraries in the UK. I have been to the one in Wimborne Minster. It only takes 10 minutes to see so you wouldn't want to go there just for the library. But if you are in the area it's worth popping in.

Not sure what it's like today....contact them and find out............http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/bodley/services/admissions

http://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/pepys/index.html must be a consideration if you have knowledge of Sam Pepys and his diary. His library, and lots of specialness, is at Magdalen College, Cambridge. Check the hours -=- very limited hours.....

And the chained library at Hereford Cathedral. Nice Cathedral, too. Like cider (English style)? Hereford is where Bulmers makes it.

And Greenway (which is at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-greenway.htm ) which was the home of Agatha Christie and where books were written and the library, as it was preserved, with books on the walls. The National Trust have done an amazing job with this property near Torquay in Devon. Most visitors arrive either by boat from Brixham or Torquay, by steam train and boat from Paignton; or by 1930 vintage bus from Torquay. You gotta see it.

Right then, Christine, out with it... What do you like to read, or which authors? With so many of them having lived here there are at least a dozen National Trust properties closely associated with various authors. Tell us and we may be able to send you to yet more places you may never have heard of..... yes, yes, do tell

Hi Nigel, My bookish fingertips and soul are drooling at the list already. My reading pleasures are quite eclectic. I am a teacher librarian and am therefore interested in children's literature but my grown-up self is fascinated with illuminated texts, Thomas Hardy, first editions, old,old books...and beautiful library spaces themselves. Christine

Christine, The two "biggies" for libraries have already been mentioned, but if you are a bibliophile, be sure also to visit all the bookshops on Charing Cross Road. Each trip to London I make a point of getting off at the Tottenham Court Rd underground station and walking south down Charing Cross Road visiting all the shops. And keep an eye out for the tiny alley that is Cecil Court south of Leicester Square for some incredibly interesting antiquarian books and posters. http://www.cecilcourt.co.uk/ And in the words of the author Helene Hanff, "if you happen to pass by 84, Charing Cross Road, kiss it for me."

OOOH Christine, there are so many. How much time have got to plan a trip? With some time, and your position at the school you should be able to organise reader cards to really open some juicy stuff. Where will you be? How much time will you have?

nigel, we have plenty of time to plan as we will be visiting in August/September 2010- was to be earlier but have a daughter's wedding to pay for/enjoy in April. we intend spending about 5 weeks in England, Scotland and Ireland with a short stay in wales (maybe). cheers

'as we will be visiting in August/September 2010'......I like Chrisine's style since it matches mine......do all the darn planning after you get back :).

I endorse the Charing Cross Road area for bookshops. And if you intend on visiting Wales you must stop off in the legendary "Hay on Wye" for bookshops. England is now building up some fascinating specialty libraries- Sheffield University is working on a great Fairgrounds library and archive. If you have a special interest, you will find a library for it

I Love all the suggestions, friends. Unfortunately Ed, I wish I were more happy to just 'wing it'more but confess to meaning 2011.

To all my fellow bibliophiles here-you have watched 84 Charing Cross Road, I assume? If only that bookshop were real! Answering your question farther down the page, Alnwick has Barter Books, a lovely used bookstore in an old railraod station. Hay-on-Wye in south Wales is supposed to be full of used bookstores, although I haven't personally visited that town. And since you are a book-lover, maybe you should fly the opposite direction to the UK so you could stop off in Portland, Oregon and visit Powell's City of Books which takes up an entire block. It may be the largest used book store anywhere.

British Library in London is my favorite. The Treasures exhibit is amazing. When I was there I shared it with only a handful of other people - which made it that much better...................................Another recommendation is Trinity College Library in Dublin, where you can see the Book of Kells.....http://www.tcd.ie/Library/

I agree, The Book of Kells is a 'must-see' for us. How about Scotland; do they like books there too? I remember reading somewhere about a whole town of bookshops. Any suggestions?

Since you've expressed an interest in old books, you might be interested in the library of the Royal Society which anyone can visit. My son, an English history major in college, went there and was able to read the original works of Isaac Newton, Christopher Wren, and other famous British scientists. Here's the link http://royalsociety.org/Using-the-Library/

Tex, a great suggestion, as my great uncle was on the first Antarctic expedition with Scott and I may find relevant material. Thank you

You're welcome! Your great uncle must've been one tough dude.

Not to stay and read, but to see great libraries with fascinating items on display: if you are going to be in Cambridge, be sure to visit the Trinity College Library; in Oxford, Merton College Library. Even if you don't get a readers's card for the Bodleian, do take the tour, the Divinity School and Duke Humphrey's Library are wonderful spaces. Also, be sure to visit Blackwell's Bookshop in Oxford.

Christine, just saw in today's paper that "a collection of 12th-century Greek gospels are on display at the British Library where more than a quarter of its Greek manuscripts have been put online for the first time." ¶ So not only can you see these wonderful illuminated books you can drool before you arrive. You know, Christine, maybe 2 days at the British Library? ;-)

Nigel, 2 solutions to the delightful problem of where to visit. 1. bring a sleeping back and have a bookish sleepover.. after hiding in the stacks till after hours- I think that would work. 2. move to London for a LONG stay. Thanks for your ideas