The King's Library

On our way home, we visited the British Library at St Pancras, an oasis of calm in a busy city. We had tea and cake sitting beside The King's Library. Here's what a notice says about this amazing library...

In 1823, the library of King George III was presented to the nation by his son, George IV. The gift transformed the collections of the British Museum Library later to become the British Library.

The King's Library comprises 85,000 printed books and pamphlets. It represents George III's life-long passion for collecting. Materials range in date from 1454 to the early 19th century. Most texts are in English or Latin, but at least a dozen other languages are represented. Particular areas of strength include 15th century English printing, bibles, Greek and Latin classics, English and Italian literature, history, and topography.

We also saw St Cuthbert's Gospel, produced in the late 7th century at the monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow. It's the earliest intact book European book and is in amazingly good condition. Marvellous that has survived.