Guildhall Library: the library of London History
Guildhall Library is a public reference library which specialises in the history of London. The Library’s printed books collection comprises over 200,000 titles dating from the 15th to the 21st centuries and includes books, pamphlets, periodicals, trade directories and poll books.
The collection covers all aspects of life in London, past and present, its trade, people and buildings. In addition, we hold extensive collections covering maritime history, business history, clocks and clockmakers, internationally renowned collections of books on wine and food, historic English law reports and British parliamentary papers and statutes.
We primarily hold printed material, but some manuscript collections can also be consulted at Guildhall Library.
Special collections include those devoted to Samuel Pepys, John Wilkes and Thomas More, plus the libraries of the Clockmakers', Gardeners’ and Fletchers’ Companies, the Antiquarian Horological Society, Gresham College, and the Charles Lamb Society.
Guildhall Library also provides free access to a range of online resources.
Guildhall Library runs an active and engaging programme of events, ranging from afternoon talks on aspects of London History, guided walks of the Square Mile and book launches to monthly evening wine receptions with current authors. The topic for each evening event is designed to be different from the last so that a range of interests can be explored from historical fact to historical fiction, with classical and real-life stories thrown in.
You are welcome to visit Guildhall Library and no appointment or membership is necessary.
Popular pages