Nestled in a small leafy village in North Wales lies the world famous Gladstone's Library. Found in Hawarden, Flintshire, it is a unique institution that wouldn't look out of place in a Harry Potter film.

It's described as the "UK's finest residential library" - and unusually also boasts 26 bedrooms, an on-site restaurant and a comfortable guest lounge. Once you step one foot across the threshold, you really do get the sense you've been transported back in time.

In 2023 you'd expect a local library to have a monotonous feel, an all round sense of dullsville with a backdrop of anemic white walls. But not this one.

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For just a simple donation - of whatever you wish to contribute - Gladstone's Library is open to all, and it really is worth it for any bookworms or prospective writers. The Grade-I listed building is the UK's only Prime Ministerial library which was built following a bequest from William Ewart Gladstone, who was a Victorian statesman and four times Prime Minister.

Gladstone had a personal passion project to make his personal library accessible to others. The first step towards fulfilling this vision was taken in 1889 when two large iron rooms were erected with six or seven smaller rooms to act as studies.

Following his death 1898, a public appeal was launched for funds to provide a permanent building to house the collection and to replace the temporary structure
Following his death 1898, a public appeal was launched for funds to provide a permanent building to house the collection and to replace the temporary structure

At 80 years old, Gladstone was closely involved in the transfer of 20,000 of his books from Hawarden Castle to their new home a quarter of a mile away, rumoured to have "used a wheelbarrow himself to help carry texts across". He donated £40,000 to make his dream a reality.

Following his death in 1898, a public appeal was launched for funds to provide a permanent building to house the collection and to replace the temporary structure. The £9,000 raised provided an imposing building, designed by John Douglas, which was officially opened by Earl Spencer on October 14th 1902 as the National Memorial to W. E. Gladstone. The Gladstone family were themselves to fulfill the founder's vision by funding the residential wing, which welcomed its first resident on June 29th, 1906.

They say: "In the last decade we've been made aware of over 300 books that have been inspired, started, revised, finished or otherwise worked on while the writer was at Gladstone's Library. Not bad for a lovely little library in North Wales."

Last week North Wales Live sat down with Andrea Russell, the warden of Gladstone's Library, and Louisa Yates, the Director of Collections and Research, to get to know more about the library itself. You can see the full interview here.

"If you're a Terry Pratchett fan it is also a bit like Unseen University (another wizarding school)"
"If you're a Terry Pratchett fan it is also a bit like Unseen University (another wizarding school)"

Andrea said: "The reading rooms truly are amazing. We have about 30 desks in there at the moment that are all full up! It reminds me of part of a church, part like a big beautiful barn. Very much a bit like Hogwarts actually.

"If you're a Terry Pratchett fan it is also a bit like Unseen University (another wizarding school). It is exactly like everyone's fantasy library come to life."

"The books are amazing, and we have spiral staircases, it's just simply gorgeous. And of course it is also a silent library."

Have you been inside Gladstone Library? Let us know what you thought in the comments

Andrea pointed out that the library is for everyone, no matter your background or intended use of the library. "Sometimes people just come in here to simply sit on the comfy chairs and just read, bring a book and just read," she said.

"Some people just come here because they like being here, they like the setting and all round feel of the place. The reading rooms are a pull of course, and so we have that mix of different reasons why people come to us that makes it that little bit more special, no two days are the same in the library."

The library is open seven days a week. The Reading Rooms are accessible to readers and residents from 9am to 5pm, and the Theology Room is accessible until 10pm.

Their Food for Thought bistro is open for bookings. Breakfast is served to residents and outside guests from 8am to 9.30am. Lunch is held from 12pm to 2pm. Dinner is at 6pm with last seating at 7.15pm. Hot drinks, snacks and sweet treats are available from 10am to close.

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