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The Reading Room

Photograph of a museum gallery space with free standing book shelves, wooden chairs, framed artworks on the wall and a red staircase in the distance. Standing in the centre of the image is a man in a pink shirt wearing a yellow face covering. He is looking at a framed artwork on the wall. Next to him is a woman in a stripy jacket, also wearing a face covering. She is also looking at the artworks and has her arms raised as if in conversation.
The Reading Room, Steven Pocock. Source: Wellcome Collection. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Visit the Reading Room to hang out in a safe and comfortable space and find inspiration in the array of books, artworks and objects available and on display.

The Reading Room on level 2 of Wellcome Collection is a hybrid of library and museum, suitable for all ages and interests. 

There are lots of books and objects grouped around themes, including travel, pain, food and the body. You can discover amulets and charms from all over the world, draw a self-portrait, or unroll a replica of an alchemical scroll. 

On the shelves you will find over 1,000 different titles, featuring fiction, memoirs, graphic novels, magazines and even pop-up books. 

Sofas and beanbags give you a place to read and relax, or to sit and discuss the books and objects with friends. If you’re looking for a place to study or read quietly, head through to our library. 

Events in the Reading Room 

A variety of events happen in the Reading Room, including book groups, workshops and performances, so listen out for announcements in the building or ask staff about what’s on. You can hire the space out of hours for private events too.