Busman’s holiday librarian style: visiting Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden

Who needs a Tardis when you can visit Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden? It’s a trip back in time to when libraries were full of books and there was a strict silence rule. And you really can get a lot more reading done when there are no distractions! Not only that but you can eat and sleep there! There is a very nice cafe and rooms for visitors. If you’re staying there you can use the library until 9 at night, all the books are on open access including the books which came from Gladstone’s own collection. There is an honesty bar where you can chat to the other users – or just eavesdrop on their conversations (which can be an entertainment in itself). The stock is based on Gladstone’s own library but includes current works on subjects he was interested in, including theology and church history. It’s extremely comprehensive and most local historians would find something of interest. The church like atmosphere and creaking floors make you feel you’ve slipped back into the nineteenth century. Even if you’re not using the collection it’s a good place to get some work done and have a break from the 21st century