The British Museum’s magnificent and imposing Round Reading Room has reopened its doors to the public after a prolonged closure of 11 years. This reopening marks a significant moment in the museum’s history, offering visitors the chance to once again experience one of London’s most architecturally stunning spaces.
Designed by the architect Sydney Smirke and inaugurated in 1857, the Round Reading Room was inspired by the grandeur of Rome’s Pantheon. Its design has cemented it as one of the British capital’s most remarkable architectural achievements. The British Museum highlights on its website that the room was a “masterpiece of mid-19th century technology,” incorporating cast iron, concrete, glass, and the most advanced heating and ventilation systems of the time. Upon its opening, the reading room housed an extensive 25 miles of shelving. Access to this literary haven was initially restricted, with prospective users required to apply for a ticket. Notable figures who successfully gained entry included Karl Marx, Bram Stoker, and Arthur Conan Doyle, each contributing to the room’s storied legacy.
In 1997, the room’s vast collection of books was transferred to a new location, prompting a restoration project that allowed the space to welcome all visitors by 2000. However, in 2013, the Round Reading Room was closed once more, subsequently serving as a storage and archival handling area. The prolonged inaccessibility of this iconic room did not go unnoticed. In a statement made last year, the museum’s chairman, George Osborne, declared the continued closure “not acceptable,” leading to the introduction of weekly 20-minute guided tours to provide limited access to the public.
Today, the reopening of the Round Reading Room symbolizes a return to its original purpose as a space for public engagement and exploration. Visitors can now enter this historic room without the need for a tour or a ticket, allowing unfettered access to a part of the museum that has been pivotal to its intellectual and cultural mission.
The Round Reading Room stands as a testament to the British Museum’s enduring commitment to preserving and celebrating the architectural and technological advancements of the past. This reopening not only restores a vital part of the museum’s heritage but also reaffirms its role as a place of learning and inspiration for all who visit.
Located at the heart of the British Museum, the Round Reading Room remains a beacon of mid-19th century innovation and a jewel of London’s architectural landscape. Its reopening is an invitation to the public to immerse themselves in the rich history and grandeur of this iconic space, continuing the legacy of knowledge and discovery that has defined it for over a century.
