Places to Stay · Flintshire
Gladstone's Library
Sleep among 150,000 books at Britain's only residential library — William Gladstone's astonishing legacy in a small Flintshire village.
★★★★★Gem 5/10Flintshire
About
The story
In 1889 William Gladstone, nearing the end of four premierships, famously carted his books by wheelbarrow from Hawarden Castle to found a library for the nation — and it still receives guests. Gladstone's Library is the UK's only residential library: twenty-six simple, calm bedrooms above a magnificent Gothic reading room holding more than 150,000 volumes, including 20,000 of Gladstone's own, many annotated in his hand. Residents read in the reading rooms until late, eat in the Food for Thought restaurant, and sleep in near-monastic quiet. Writers book in for whole winters. It is one of the most singular places to stay in Britain, hiding in plain sight in a Flintshire village.
Our word
Why Hunters selected it
Utterly unique — the UK's only residential library, an independent charitable foundation, and an unforgettable countryside stay.
Perfect for
- History Lovers
- Learn Something New
- Peace & Quiet
- Rainy Day
- Romantic Escape
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