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Hire the Reading Room

Large space with a central red-carpeted staircase, surrounding bookshelves and balconies, lit by hanging pendant lights.
The Reading Room, Photo: Benjamin Gilbert. © Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).

The Reading Room is a bright, open space filled with artworks, medical artefacts and manuscripts, alongside a collection of over 1,000 books. Available after closing to the public, it is suited to events ranging from drinks receptions and business networking to dinners.

Objects on display include a life mask of Beethoven, a 1920s X-ray machine made of wood, steel and rubber, and a dress illustrating neural development.

Guests can move freely through the space, explore the library shelves or take a seat on one of the sofas. The room is filled with natural light during the day and lit by soft lamps in the evening.

Great for

Drinks receptions, networking events, product launches and dinners.

Open library and gallery space with display cases, reading tables and a central red sculptural figure, beneath rows of hanging pendant lights and a mezzanine lined with bookshelves.
The Reading Room. © Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
The Reading Room at Wellcome Collection. © Matt Chung.
Library and gallery space with visitors seated around a red carpet and a musician performing beneath a large central clock and surrounding bookshelves.
The Reading Room. © Wellcome. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
The Reading Room at Wellcome Collection. © Matt Chung.

Need to know

Capacity

The Reading Room is suited to drinks receptions, product launches and dinners.

  • Standing reception: 160
  • Dinner: 60
  • Theatre: 80

Audiovisual

Free WiFi is available. A PA system can be provided on request.

Accessibility

The Reading Room is wheelchair accessible and has an induction loop. There are adapted toilets on this level, and assistance dogs are welcome.

Accessible parking is also available – contact us to book.

Food and drink

Working with our catering partner, Benugo, we can arrange food and drink for your event

Availability

The Reading Room is available from 18:30 for drinks receptions and from 19:00 for dinners, seven days a week.

Get in touch

Hire one of our meeting rooms, tiered auditorium or exhibition galleries for your next event.

Conference Centre
venuehire@wellcome.org

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