Step into history and explore our Ancient Library!

Join us for a 30-minute journey through our Ancient Library. Discover the wonders of our treasured collection and delve into the stories behind the books with our knowledgeable Library Guides.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with the past and uncover the secrets of these historic books!

Half an hour tours are available at the following times:

10.00 am, 10.30 am, 11.00 am, 11.30 am, 12.00 pm
2.00 pm, 2.30 pm, 3.00 pm, 3.30 pm, 4.00 pm

Book a free tour here.

The Ancient Library was founded by Dr Miles Mosse in 1595 as a resource for clergy training. There are over 550 books in the Library, mainly printed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The Library is in a room above the north-west porch, which was designed by Stephen Dykes Bower in 1960, the architect who oversaw the extension of the Cathedral in the twentieth century.

Unfortunately, the Ancient Library is accessed up a small spiral staircase and is therefore not accessible to those in wheelchairs, or with prams/pushchairs. Dogs welcome on the Cathedral site but not in the Ancient Library.