Where: Euston Road, NW1

What: The British Library is part gallery, part museum, and part, as its name says, a library. This large, red brick building is made up of 3 exhibition spaces around a central tower.

The tower contains the Kings Library, but it is the John Ritblat Gallery that is a draw for bookworms. There you can see the Magna Carta, Nelson’s Log Books, Beatles lyric sheets, the Guttenberg Bible and much more.

Temporary exhibitions are held in the Pearson Gallery, and downstairs there is an interactive history of printing, binding and sound recording. The permanent displays and exhibitions make this a must for those interested in the written word.

Nearest underground station: Euston or Kings Cross

Opening times: 9.30am - 6pm Monday; 9.30am - 5pm Tuesday, 9.30am - 8pm Wednesday - Friday and 11am - 5pm Saturday & Sunday.

Admission: For free access to the libraries 150 million items you need a Readers Ticket (call 020 7412 7677). Alternatively, you can take one of the regular guided tours.

Website: bl.uk