Standing on the busy intersection outside Bethnal Green tube, you might think you've stumbled across an out-of-place stately home in the middle of east London. You haven't. You're actually looking at the beautiful buildings of Bethnal Green Library, which first opened its doors way back in 1922. Today it boasts a fully-stocked library of treasures for both adults and children, as well as two hireable rooms for up to 100 people each. That's one massive book-slam just waiting to happen.
Have you chosen a book to curl up with for World Book Day (March 5) yet? Yes? Good. If you need somewhere peaceful to enjoy your new find, London is full of fantastic hideouts: in the shape of libraries.
From big libraries to secret libraries, tiny libraries and aesthetically-pleasing libraries, each of them are bursting with books to borrow and read.
Some of them are historic lending archives that have existed in the city for centuries and others are modern celebrations of the written word. Some are famous, while others are well-kept secrets... but all of them are great little spots to spend an afternoon exploring a fantasy world between the pages.
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