Reading Room Companion
E-book
A compendium of inspiring and intriguing insights from Wellcome Collection and the Wellcome Library.
Reading Room
Come and experience the new incarnation of our Reading Room.
An innovative hybrid of gallery, library and events space, the Reading Room is designed to encourage you to indulge your curiosity and explore more than ever before.
With over a thousand books and 100 objects – including contemporary sculptures, paintings, medical artefacts and manuscripts – the room is an open invitation to dig a little deeper into what it means to be human.
Settle down with a book from our shelves on a comfy sofa, contemplate life quietly or strike up a conversation with a stranger. You will find plenty here to inspire you. Drop by to spark connections and new ideas.
Located on level 2, the Reading Room is open during gallery opening hours. Just come whenever you have a moment – you may even chance upon one of our pop-up Reading Room events.
Mindcraft
Digital story
Explore a century of madness, murder and mental healing in our six-part digital story.
Wellcome Library gallery
Image gallery
Explore and download a selection of the Wellcome Library works featured in the Reading Room.
Reading Room events
Be it a poetry reading and discussion, a drawing activity, or time spent with an expert speaker, these informal events for small groups can provide an unexpected interlude during the day. They’re advertised in-house on the day, so be sure to check if there’s something going on when you visit.
Open Platform
Do you have an idea for a small participatory event that you would like to hold in our Reading Room?
