Historic libraries · London
Wellcome Library
In or near Covent Garden.
Wellcome Library — Library and research collection in London, England.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 45 min–1.5 h
- Nearest railway station
- Euston Square · 0.0 km
- Free entry
- Wheelchair accessible
Getting there & planning your visit
The Wellcome Library is located in Camden, London, with the postcode NW1 2BF. The nearest railway station is Euston Square, which is 0 km away. Entry is free and the library is wheelchair accessible.
About
Wellcome Library is a historic library in the United Kingdom. Records date its origin to 1900. Designed by Septimus Warwick. Part of Wellcome Collection. Wikidata describes it as: "Library and research collection in London, England". Coordinates: 51.5257°, -0.1349°.
Photo gallery
360° viewimagery from 2026
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Official information
The Wellcome Library is a free museum and library that delves into health and human experiences. Visitors can explore various exhibitions and displays that address topics such as ageing and the human condition.
From the Wikipedia article
The Wellcome Library is a free library and Museum based in central London. It was developed from the collection formed by Sir Henry Wellcome (1853–1936), whose personal wealth allowed him to create one of the most ambitious collections of the 20th century. Henry Wellcome's interest was the history of medicine in a broad sense and included subjects such as alchemy or witchcraft, but also anthropology and ethnography. Since Henry Wellcome's death in 1936, the Wellcome Trust has been responsible for maintaining the Library's collection and funding its acquisitions. The library is free and open to the public.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
Henry Wellcome began collecting books seriously in the late 1890s, using a succession of agents and dealers, and by travelling around the world to gather whatever could be found. Wellcome's first major entry into the market took place at the auction of William Morris's library in 1898, where he was the biggest single purchaser, taking away about a third of the lots. His interests were truly international and the broad coverage of languages and traditions is one of the library's strengths. Significant collections acquired during this early period included the library of Joseph Frank Payne, medical historian and librarian of the Royal College of Physicians, purchased in 1911, and the major…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 51.5257, -0.1349
- District
- Camden
- Parish
- Camden, unparished area
- Postcode
- NW1 2BF
- Parliamentary constituency
- Holborn and St Pancras
- Established
- 1900
- Nearest railway station
- Euston Square — 0 km
- Opening
- Mo-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr 12:00-01:30; Sa 19:00-01:30
- Official site
- wellcomecollection.org
Sources
- wikidata: Q7981192 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Wellcome Library (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Wellcome Building.JPG (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
140 Gower Street
Gardens · 0.1 km
The Huntley
Historic pubs · 0.1 km
Hippocrates
Public art & sculpture · 0.1 km
Wellcome Collection
Museums · 0.1 km
Bust of Hippocrates
Public art & sculpture · 0.1 km
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Museums · 0.1 km
The Wesley
Hotels · 0.1 km
UCL Main Building
Historic houses · 0.1 km
Giuseppe Mazzini
Memorials & monuments · 0.1 km
The Octagon Gallery
Galleries · 0.1 km
Bloomsbury Theatre
Theatres · 0.2 km
Professor Sir Christopher Ingold
Memorials & monuments · 0.2 km
Nearby
📷 5Gardens · London
140 Gower Street
140 Gower Street — a garden in england-london, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · London
The Huntley
The Huntley — Historic pub — listed building or notable heritage status.
📷 5Public art & sculpture · London
Hippocrates
Hippocrates — a public art in england-london, United Kingdom.
📷 5Museums · London
Wellcome Collection
Wellcome Collection — museum and library in London, United Kingdom.
📷 5Public art & sculpture · London
Bust of Hippocrates
Bust of Hippocrates in England London, United Kingdom.
📷 5Museums · London
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland — Learned society in the field of Asian studies in the United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Wellcome Library
Places to stay
📷 5
📷 5Hotels · London
Radisson Edwardian Grafton Hotel
Radisson Edwardian Grafton Hotel — a hotel in england london. 4-star. Brand: Radisson.
📷 5
📷 5Hotels · London
Pullman London St Pancras
Pullman London St Pancras — a hotel in england london.
📷 7Hotels · London
Royal National Hotel
Royal National Hotel — a hotel in england london.
📷 5Places to eat & drink
📷 5Historic pubs · London
The Huntley
The Huntley — Historic pub — listed building or notable heritage status.
📷 5
📷 6Historic pubs · London
Prince of Wales, Euston
Prince of Wales, Euston in England London, United Kingdom.
📷 7
📷 5
📷 5Historic pubs · London
George and Dragon, Fitzrovia
George and Dragon, Fitzrovia in England London, United Kingdom.
Other works by Septimus Warwick
📷 5Historic houses · South East England
Roseate Reading Hotel
Roseate Reading Hotel — a Grade II-listed historic house in england-south-east, United Kingdom.
Other places from this era
📷 5Historic libraries · London
British Library of Political and Economic Science
British Library of Political and Economic Science — main library of the London School of Economics and Political Science.
.jpg?width=1200)
📷 5Historic libraries · London
London Library
London Library — independent lending library in London, established in 1841.
📷 3Historic libraries · South East England
Angus Library and Archive
Angus Library and Archive — collection at Regent's Park College, Oxford.
.jpg?width=1200)
📷 3Historic libraries · South East England
Indian Institute Library
Indian Institute Library is a historic library in the United Kingdom.
More places in this region
📷 5Historic libraries · London
Abdus Salam Library
Abdus Salam Library — Main academic and research library of Imperial College London.
📷 5Historic libraries · London
Bishopsgate Library
Bishopsgate Library is a historic library in the United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic libraries · London
Cecil Sharp House
Cecil Sharp House — Cultural institute and concert hall in Primrose Hall, London NW1.
📷 5Historic libraries · London
Franses Tapestry Archive
Franses Tapestry Archive — research resource on European tapestries.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Wellcome Library?
- Wellcome Library is in London, United Kingdom (postcode NW1 2BF), in the parish of Camden, unparished area.
- What is Wellcome Library?
- Wellcome Library — Library and research collection in London, England.
- How do I get to Wellcome Library?
- The nearest railway station is Euston Square, about 0.0 km away. Drivers can use postcode NW1 2BF.
- When was Wellcome Library built?
- Built or established in 1900. Designed by Septimus Warwick.
- How do I get to Wellcome Library?
- The nearest railway station is Euston Square, about 0.0 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode NW1 2BF.