Wren Library — Attraction in Cambridge

As a structure in itself it isn't particularly outstanding like some others i have seen - such as the Bodleian Library in Oxford, but some of the texts and items it houses are amazing! For example, Isaac Newton's first edition of Principia Mathematica with his handwritten corrections is located here, along with his walking stick, glass/crystal prism and a lock of his hair - he attended & lectured Cambridge University. It also contains many other rare and medieval manuscripts, such as the first edition of On the Origin of Species (1859) by Charles Darwin - who also attended Cambridge University, the Lexicon of Photius - probably produced in the 12th century and is the oldest surviving copy of the Lexicon of Photios (c. 820-c. 891), sometimes called the Codex Galeanus. Other texts include rare and important Shakespearean works - including a First Folio and an extensive collection of his plays known as the Capell Collection. Along with the historical, it additionally houses more modern treasures such as A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh manuscripts. The library was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and was completed in 1695. Head librarian and caretaker of this superb collection is the very knowledgable and courteous Dr Nicolas Bell who gave us his time rather late at night showing us these treasures (amongst others), and the history...

A bit weird to get to but a beautiful library 📚. So to get here you have to go down garret hostel lane and go through a side gate then walk at the back of the collage buildings, under the libary to a little door. Then be greated by a very happy and helpful woman who gave me a sheet with info about the library and told me to head upstairs. The library is one big room and the areas you can visit is cordoned off unless you are a student of the collage 🎓. There are some tables with red cloth coverings with interesting books and artifacts from the collage, like a first ed of William Shakespeares plays. And a famous hat 🧢. It is free for about two hours a day to enter and definitely worth a visit. Even if just to get a lovely view...

We very luckily had the place to ourselves for the first half of our visit (it's always a good idea to get to these attractions mega early). The space itself is stunning, both inside and out. There are various items of interest to see in display cases, such as Newton's walking stick and the original copy of A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh. They are very strict on not taking photos and I'm not entirely sure why. They ask all phones to be switched off which I get, but I'm not sure if the no photo rule is to do with security or potential damage to the old manuscripts. Either way it's a shame as the place is begging to be...