The Lit and Phil

This is one of the few private libraries left and the building is amazing. Having said that, it is also very user-​friendly and not at all stuffy despite the grand surroundings. You can join as a member and borrow books but you can also just go in and have a look round. There is a children’s section too and lots of specialist magazines and little nooks and crannies where you can sit and read them. The main library, with books stretching high above you, has a big desk at the end where you can work and there are powerpoints for laptops (which should be on silent). Not really a café, you can buy tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes. There is someone serving in the mornings but the rest of the time it’s Thermos’s and an honesty box. The Lit and Phil is a venue for many events such as readings and also some more unusual dramas. You can sign up for their newsletter to keep in touch.

I have only ever been here to do music gradings but the building is quite pretty. Its down by central station and apparently has quite a nice café upstairs