Lynne Marie Taylor

On holiday in North Wales, I took the chance to visit Gladstone’s Library, in Hawarden, Flintshire, and happily spent a day writing and researching in the wonderful Reading Rooms.

William Gladstone was an avid reader and amassed a personal collection of around 32,000 books. His vision was to create a library where people could access these works and engage in study and reflection. It’s often quoted that in 1895, at the age of 85, Gladstone transported his books from his home to the village of Hawarden using a wheelbarrow, helped by his daughter and his valet. He personally cataloged and shelved the books, and invested £42,000 of his own money in the library.

The wonderful library building, designed by John Douglas, officially opened in 1902, a few years after Gladstone’s death, thanks to funds raised by his family and supporters. Originally it was known as St Deiniol’s Library but it was renamed Gladstone’s Library in 2010 in honour of its founder. The library houses over 150,000 printed items, including many rare and significant works.

Gladstone’s Library is not just a place to find books; it is also a residential library, offering accommodation and study spaces for visitors. I can definitely see myself going back to stay there sometime when I need silence and uninterrupted space to write.

One notable aspect of Gladstone’s Library is its connection to literary organizations and writers. Among these is the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA). The CWA records are housed in Gladstone’s Library, including archives of correspondence, manuscripts, and publications from renowned crime writers .

It felt very fitting to be writing the next in my Victorian crime series in the beautiful surroundings of the library – although I did find some unexpected information (in a 19th century book on travels in Malta) which now means I’m going to have to do a load of re-writing!