From September 2025, we’re delighted to be re-opening our Reading Room as a free, quiet space on most Mondays and Fridays, 1000 - 1700.

We are offering a free, quiet space as part of our charitable aims.

The Reading Room is separate to the Researchers’ Service, so if you’d like to look at our special collections and archives, you’ll need this instead https://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/archives/ .

To use the Reading Room, please either book a place in advance or at the Institute reception desk when you arrive. You need to book in order to use the space. Our WiFi is free to use, please check the WiFi Terms & Conditions for further information. View Wifi Terms & Conditions here.

You will need to agree to the Terms of Useas part of booking a place, and we do not reserve specific seats or areas. View the Terms of Use here.

The space is for whatever quiet work or reflection you need to do. Read your book? Work on a new job application? Prepare for a meeting? Or maybe get some university work done away from the usual crowd? It’s up to you. 

The Reading Room is part of our working Archive. A member of staff might walk in to access items for researchers. We also run Archive tours, and a visit to a Reading Room is part of the experience, which might disturb the silence.

As a private charity, we hire out our space to external clients as an important source of income. Our halls are often hired for various rehearsals and sound might bleed to the Reading Room. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

There is no charge to access the Reading Room; however, we’d appreciate a donation towards the cost of opening the space for users to enjoy for free. There are contactless card donation points at the main reception desk and at the Reading Room welcome desk, or you can donate via https://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/support/ . 

There will be some Mondays and Fridays when we’re not able to offer the Reading Room, perhaps because we have a commercial hire that provides much-needed income to support us, or for other reasons. We will email those who have booked with us previously to notify them of any closures. Please check our website or check with our front desk team before making a journey.

Opening Times