Inside Nottingham's incredible hidden library - that looks like a set from Harry Potter

December brings plummeting temperatures and colder-than-igloo nights, however, it is not all doom and gloom in Nottingham. The city appears to hide an epic secret…that of Bromley House.

It’s a charming library that has winding staircases, unexpected doorways, and surprising passageways, a bit like Harry Potter, that will magically transport you to endless rows of shelves holding over 47,000 books.

This sounds like the perfect place to hunker down in one of the reading rooms and cradle a steaming hot coffee - or specialty tea, you have options - and dive into a book.

Read more: Lifestyle in Nottingham

If you’re craving a moment of zen, you can take in the wonderfully tranquil atmosphere. Perhaps you can glance out of the window to see gentle snowfall in the beautiful walled garden. 

It may be a book lover’s dream, but there is so much to love about one of the city’s oldest libraries. Founded in 1816, Bromley House Library is one of a handful of subscription libraries in the UK, and therefore you must be a member to read this library’s books.

Set over three floors, people can enjoy the elegant grandeur of the Grade II listed Georgian townhouse.

They can explore the epic book collection of nearly 50,000 glorious tomes, dating from 1575, right up to the present day. The diverse book collection includes works by local and international authors. 

Those seeking something a little bit different can enjoy manuscripts, audiobooks, and more. The library has several unique collections of historical interest such as the personal library of acclaimed English writer Alan Sillitoe, who made the genre of ‘Angry Young Man’ his own.

Never get charged overdue fees

Bromley House Library is perhaps the only library in the UK that doesn’t charge overdue fees. 

Other perks of being a member also include the heady power of being able to directly influence the new titles that the library buys, as they always welcome suggestions for new book purchases.

Adopt a book

This is a novel idea where you can show a book some TLC and pay towards giving an old book a new lease of life. One of the books you could adopt is the Ernest Hemingway classic The Old Man And The Sea from 1952. 

You can find out more information about the book adoption scheme by clicking here.

A spokesperson from Bromley House Library said: “Bromley House Library is a welcoming and inclusive library, albeit with one foot in 1816, and we are a working library - buying approximately 1000 books per year across contemporary fiction and non-fiction.

“We also subscribe to a wide range of magazines and newspapers which our members can peruse over a cup of coffee in a cosy chair, in a Georgian reading room, or in our tranquil walled garden.

“We have a range of membership options and welcome new members. In 2024 we are running sessions for people to discover more about membership and this beautiful library."

People can find out more about membership options here.

How to find Nottingham's hidden library

The venue is easy to miss, so look for the doorway in between Barnardos and MSR Newsagents on Angel Row, just across from Nottingham’s Market Square. 

Address: Angel Row, Nottingham NG1 6HL

Membership is by application only. For more information about Bromley House Library and to apply to be a member visit the website by clicking here.