Find out more about Gladstone’s Library – The only residential library in the UK

Hawarden has been closely linked with the Gladstone family since 1834 when William Ewart Gladstone married Catherine Glynne and the couple took residence at the Glynne ancestral family home of Hawarden Castle. Gladstone would later become the 4 time Prime Minister of Britain.

Gladstone was passionate about learning, reflection, and social engagement and wanted to share his personal library with others. Over his lifetime he personally collected 32,000 books that formed the founding collection of the Library.

In her essay for BBC Radio 3, ‘Gladstone’s Library – Brick, Stone Steel Glass’, Novelist Melissa Harrison, discusses the history of the collection and the building itself. She also and explains what makes the Library such a productive learning environment and how it has become a ‘home from home’.

Bring Me and BuzzFeed have collaborated to give us an inside view of life at the Library. Have a look at the video below for a glimpse of the sunning Library itself and the cosy boutique bedrooms.

You can find out more about Gladstone’s Library at https://www.gladstoneslibrary.org/

All credit for the above video goes to Bring Me and BuzzFeed