Commercial venue hire
Host your next event at the British Library.
centraleventsteam@bl.uk
Discover our spaces
Discover how our spaces can work for your event. We’d love to show you round.
Home to works by some of history’s greatest minds and most influential figures, our iconic spaces are ideal for your next corporate event or evening soiree.
At our prime central London location, our experienced team have facilitated music festivals, meetings, conferences, product launches, dinners and drinks receptions.
Our dedicated catering, design and technology partners will ensure that your event looks, sounds, and tastes incredible.
For a quote, email us at centraleventsteam@bl.uk.
Conferences and meetings
Our Knowledge Centre is perfect for hosting meetings and multi-day conferences. It contains multiple meeting rooms, a theatre, and an open plan networking area with a bar. All our meeting rooms have windows, giving each space a bright, airy feel. Technological and audiovisual setups in every room mean we can cater to all manner of digital meeting requirements.
Alternatively, our Boardroom Suite offers a more classical space for formal meetings and executive business events for up to 32 people. The Boardroom, surrounded by heritage artwork, is a truly elegant meeting or private dining space with a touch of luxury.
To find out more about hosting your conference or meeting at the British Library, email us at centraleventsteam@bl.uk.
Evening events and parties
The British Library is the perfect venue for events, parties and dinners, with a wide range of dazzling hosting spaces.
Our gorgeous Terrace and outdoor rooftop space boasts panoramic views across London, ideal for a summer party. For the literary-inclined, our King’s Library Gallery, steeped in history, is a truly showstopping heritage backdrop for dinners or drinks.
The Upper Gallery offers a breathtaking open space for networking events or product launches. This awe-inspiring architectural setting is right at the heart of the library.
To find out more about hosting your evening event or party at the British Library, email us at centraleventsteam@bl.uk.
Overview
The table below shows the specific capacities of each room.
Please note that all our spaces are wheelchair accessible, and we can provide digital and audiovisual support as needed.
To view floorplans, organise a tour or for more details about any of our spaces, please contact our venue hire team at centraleventsteam@bl.uk.
| Space | Capacity (seated) | Capacity (standing) |
|---|---|---|
| King’s Library Gallery | 80 | 150 |
| Terrace Restaurant | 120 | 200 |
| Outside Terrace | N/A | 200 |
| Upper Gallery | 170 | 350 |
| Boardroom | 32 | N/A |
| Cotton Room | 12 | N/A |
| Harley Room | 12 | N/A |
| Burney Room | 8 | N/A |
| Sloane Room | 4 | N/A |
| Knowledge Centre | 255 | 255 |
| Pigott Theatre | 255 | N/A |
| Brontë | 62 | 60 |
| Brontë A | 30 | 30 |
| Brontë B | 20 | 25 |
| Dickens | 25 | 25 |
| Eliot | 60 | 68 |
| Chaucer | 50 | 60 |
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Image credits: Matt Chung Photography, Sam Lane Photography and Helen Mason Design.