Venue Hire & Filming
Whether a wedding celebration or a board meeting, a book launch or a birthday party, our versatile spaces create the perfect backdrop for your special event.
The London Library is also perfect for a wide range of print, broadcast and commercial photography work from fashion shoots to feature films, documentaries to reality television. Recently, the Library has had a starring role in films and shows as diverse as Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, episodes of Killing Eve, Newsnight, BBC Artsnight, Who Do You Think You Are and a number of BBC 4 and Sky Arts documentaries.
The Reading Room
Standing reception: 200 guests
Seated dinner: 100 guests
Theatre style: 130 guests
Offering stunning views across St James's Square, with double-height, book-lined walls and elegant ironwork balustrades perfect for speeches or small performances, the Reading Room sits at the historic heart of the Library. The Reading Room provides a flexible and atmospheric space whether you are looking to host a dinner with a difference, a celebration, presentation or reception.
The New Room
Standing reception: 60 guests
Seated dinner: 25 guests
Theatre style: 55 guests
An elegant, panelled space which lovingly showcases the literary heritage of the Library, the New Room is the perfect space for an intimate reception or dinner. Complete with a private foyer, the New Room is temperature controlled and equipped with the most up to date AV equipment it can also be hired for meetings, book launches and hybrid or streamed events. The New Room can be hired during Library opening hours.
The Study
Standing reception: 30 guests
Seated dinner: 12 guests
Theatre style: 30 guests
The most intimate of our spaces, this faux-Georgian room includes an original Robert Adams fireplace.
The Art Room
Standing reception: 50 guests
Our extensive art and architecture collection is one of the largest in the country. Housed in a beautiful double height room, this space can be hired as a standalone or in conjunction with the Reading Room or New Room.
The Backstacks
Characterful grilled floors and seventeen miles of book-filled shelving ensure our iconic backstacks provide the perfect backdrop to your film, documentary or photoshoot.
Looking to impress? Arrange a private tour of this atmospheric space. Whether for VIP guests, a birthday to remember or even a proposal, any booklover will delight in discovering our eclectic collection. We can even exhibit specific books relating to your event or organisation for that truly personal touch.
The Times Room
This archive room makes an atmospheric backdrop for interviews and houses our impressive archive of The Times newspaper, dating back to 1816.
Looking to impress? Arrange a private tour of this atmospheric space. Whether for VIP guests, a birthday to remember or even a proposal, any booklover will delight in discovering our eclectic collection. We can even exhibit specific books relating to your event or organisation for that truly personal touch.
The Foyle Lightwell Reading Room
Standing reception: 25 people
This contemporary space is four storeys high and created from a former central lightwell. Allowing glimpses into every wing of the Library and featuring bronze panelling, this is perfect for a post-tour drinks’ reception.
The Stoppard Room
Standing reception: 25 people
Named for our former President, Sir Tom Stoppard this room comes complete with a mezzanine level, high ceilings and an airy, modern feel, whilst still in keeping with the Library's traditional charm.
The Issue Hall
Standing reception: 100 guests
Welcome your guests to the Library in the Issue Hall. Usually hired in conjunction with the Reading Room, this versatile space can be used for pre-event drinks, registration and a cloakroom.
Filming enquiries
The London Library provides a uniquely atmospheric setting for filming and has been used as a location in a wide range of print, broadcast and commercial photography work.
Recent examples include episodes of Killing Eve, Top Boy, In Search of Dracula with Mark Gatiss, The Apprentice, Child Genius, Newsnight, BBC Artsnight, Who Do You Think You Are and a number of BBC 4 and Sky Arts documentaries.
We try to be as flexible with filming as possible. We can sometimes accommodate smaller daytime shoots in the Back Stacks and other quieter parts of the Library. Likewise, The Study and Times Room can occasionally be made available at the start and end of the working day for short filming sessions. But we need to make sure minimum disruption is caused to our members.
To speak to a member of the team about hiring the Library, please call 020 7766 4795 or email the Venue Hire team.
Alternatively, use the online form below.
Hiring the Library
The London Library is available for evening hire for a range of corporate and personal events, including weddings celebrations, dinners, receptions, awards, presentations, launches and parties. We are conveniently and centrally located on St James’s Square just a minute’s walk from Piccadilly and Pall Malls.
Most of our spaces are available for hire on Wednesday – Saturday evenings after 5:30pm and all day on Sundays. Our New Room, perfect for Board Meetings or small receptions may be available at other times.
To speak to a member of the team about hiring the Library, please call 020 7766 4795 or email the Venue Hire team.
Alternatively, use the online form below.