Open Doors - Gladstone's Library

Gladstone’s Library is situated in Hawarden, North Wales. Founded by William Ewart Gladstone in 1894, it is the only Prime Ministerial library in the United Kingdom and one of few residential libraries in the world. The current grade-I listed building was designed by John Douglas, and constructed as the national memorial to Gladstone shortly after his death.

As well as the beautiful Reading Rooms which house 150,000 printed books (20,000 of which belonged to Gladstone), the library has a restaurant and café, a chapel, 26 bedrooms, a cosy sitting room, and lovely gardens.

Come to see some of the highlights of Gladstone’s Library’s printed collections and archives, have a tour of the Reading Rooms, and go behind the scenes in the strongrooms.

This year’s event will focus on the early years of Gladstone’s Library. You’ll explore the foundation of the library by William Gladstone in 1894 and what it looked like during his lifetime, the construction of the current building as the national monument to Gladstone after his death, and early visitors to the library. Gladstone as a lifelong reader and booklover, his vision for the library, and how this is implemented today, will also be discussed.

Booking required. Five tours will be run throughout the day, and will last approximately 60 minutes each. These tours start at Gladstone’s Library’s main entrance at: 9.30am, 10.45am, 12pm, 2pm, 3.15pm.

Please book by calling Gladstone's Library on 01244 532350 or emailing enquiries@gladlib.org

People booking tours at Gladstone’s Library may also want to book tours at North East Wales Archives in the Old Rectory and Hawarden Masonic Hall, both a short walk from the library.

Address - Gladstone's Library, Church Lane, Hawarden, Flintshire, CH5 3DF.

Church Lane is a turning off Glynne Way, Hawarden. Drive along Church Lane, then through a set of open gates on the left. There is ample car parking.
By train: Hawarden is on the Wrexham-Bidston line.
By bus: regular 11 and 4 bus services to Hawarden from Chester Bus Interchange and Chester Railway Station, and from Mold and Holywell bus stations.

The Reading Rooms, restaurant and café, chapel, sitting room, and gardens are accessible to users with disabilities. The strongrooms are located down a fairly narrow corridor which may be an obstacle for wider wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Parking is in front of the building.