Inside the only UK library where you can spend the night – with stunning reading rooms and 150,000 books
BOOK lovers will be pleased to hear that they can spend the night in a library in the UK.
Gladstone's Library, in North Wales, is the only residential library in the country, with 26 rooms for overnight stays.
The library was founded by former prime minister William Gladstone in 1889.
He created overnight stays for book lovers who wanted to spend longer with the books.
Each of the bedrooms have an ensuite bathroom, with one suite available too.
Don't expect TVs in the room, but they do have free WiFi, as well radios, tea and coffee facilities and hair dryers.
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The rooms start from £120, which includes breakfast too.
Otherwise there is also the Food for Thought bistro, with dishes including tagines, ragouts and salads, as well as quick bites such as sandwiches and cakes.
Other options include afternoon tea and Sunday roasts.
According to the BBC, around 30 per cent of guests are members of the clergy, although this is down from 80 per cent in previous years.
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A third are said to be researchers and teachers, while the other third are tourists.
Louisa Yates, the library's Director of Research and Collections, said: "You can always tell the people who haven't been here "because they come in and they just go… [gasp!]"
Outside of the rooms, guests can visit the two-story library, with desks and leather armchairs to settle into.
Guests can explore the 150,000 book collection while taking a break in the quiet reading rooms.
Even if you aren't staying the night, you can sign up as a "day" reader to visit the library.
One guest said it was just like the library in the 'Beauty & The Beast".
Former visitors have rated the library highly
One person said: "Wonderful atmospheric building, comfortable warm rooms, roaring fire in the the lounge."
Another called it a hidden gem, adding: "A must visit whether you like books or not."
A third said: "The Library itself is incredible. Full of absolute gems. The rooms are extremely well equipped - we were so pleasantly surprised that the beds are so comfortable."
And every year, the library welcomes four "Writer in Residences" which includes a one-month stay as well as all meals.
Previous writers include Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent, and The Power author Naomi Alderman.
It's not the only strange place you can stay in the UK.
You can spend the night on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate for as little as £30pp a night.
The property opened to the public last year, being the former home to the Queen's head gardener.
Now, it is available to as many as eight people to stay overnight.
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A converted army tank is now open for overnight stays from £70 a night.
And last year, The Louvre in Paris opened to the public for a limited time.
