National Poetry Library — Attraction in London

Precious! If you love poetry, this is an absolute gem. The best quiet corner in the Southbank centre. It's full of books, magazines and some very friendly staff. You need ID and proof of address to join if you want to borrow anything.

I've been wanting to visit for ages, and popped by to check out the jazz festival on the weekend. I ended up wanting to escape the crowds.

There are spaces to read and write. It is rather lovely in here and I'd highly recommend checking it out. The children's area in front of it is very cute too.

The opening hours...

Ride the magic lift up to floor 5 of the South Bank Centre and you will find a treasure-trove of poetry books, pamphlets and magazines. The library is especially useful for emerging poets; I really appreciate the reading suggestions, interest in my work and warm encouragement I've received over the past few years from Troy and Will, but all the staff are welcoming, passionate about poetry and keen to help. I feel so lucky to be able to visit the National Poetry Library regularly and it has been life-changing for me in a way I could never...

Huge collection of world most famous and representative poet’s works and essays and academic references. It’s a paradise for poetry students. I really appreciate that there is such a place made for poetry only which seems always been left at the corners of most bookshops. Poetry is the most beautiful genre of literature and need more attention from people, and this is where the poetry will be properly preserved and where new poets and poetry scholars will...