Best for
Architecture enthusiasts and Gothic Revival fans specifically visiting during an open exhibition
Time needed
20–40 minutes (when the Weston Room is open to the public)
Worth it?
Yes if your visit coincides with a public exhibition or Open House date — otherwise there isn't much to see from outside
Skip if
You're hoping to walk in any day of the year — public access is genuinely limited to specific events
About Maughan Library
The Maughan Library building was designed by Sir James Pennethorne and completed in 1851 as the headquarters of the Public Record Office, the government body responsible for preserving national archives — earning it the nickname "the strong-box of the Empire" for the sheer volume of historic state documents once stored within its fireproofed, thick-walled construction. King's College London acquired the building in 2001 and converted it into the university's principal humanities library, renamed for benefactor Sir Deryck Maughan.
The building's Gothic Revival architecture — pointed arches, a great gate entrance and elaborate stonework — has led to persistent rumours that it was used as a filming location for Dumbledore's office in the Harry Potter films, a claim King's College's own library newsletter has confirmed is myth rather than fact. Genuine or not, the atmosphere is close enough that the comparison keeps drawing curious visitors.
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The Weston Room, a circular former reading room with a domed ceiling, ornate ironwork and tomb monuments to former Masters of the Rolls built into its walls, is the building's architectural centrepiece and hosts public exhibitions throughout the year, making it the one part of the working library genuinely open to non-students.
Because Maughan Library is a functioning university library serving King's College students, general public access is limited to the Weston Room's public exhibitions and occasional Open House London tour dates — it is not a general-admission tourist sight, and visitors should not expect to wander freely through the working reading rooms.
What to See: Highlights
- 1The circular Weston Room, with its domed ceiling and 16th–17th century tomb monuments
- 2Sir James Pennethorne's 1851 Gothic Revival architecture
- 3The building's history as the Public Record Office, "the strong-box of the Empire"
- 4A Harry Potter-esque atmosphere, despite the Dumbledore's-office filming rumour being false
- 5Occasional public exhibitions and Open House London tour access
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Insider Tips
This is a working university library — general public access is limited to the Weston Room during exhibitions
Check King's College London's public events calendar before visiting; there's no year-round open-door policy
Open House London (an annual festival of usually-closed buildings) has previously included tours here — check if your visit coincides
Don't expect a wander through the reading rooms — those are reserved for KCL students and staff
Combine with a walk to the nearby Royal Courts of Justice or Temple Church if visiting this part of the City
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Getting There
Chancery Lane, London EC4A 1DT
Open in Google Maps →- 1Chancery Lane (Central line) — a 3-minute walk. Temple (Circle, District) is also close.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You appreciate Gothic Revival architecture and unusual historic library spaces
- Your visit coincides with a Weston Room exhibition or Open House London date
- You're already exploring the Chancery Lane/Temple area of the City
- You're specifically chasing London's most photogenic "secret" libraries
Skip if...
- You can't confirm a public exhibition is currently running — check before making a special trip
- You were hoping for general walk-in access to the reading rooms — this is a working student library, not a visitor attraction
- Your time in London is limited and better spent on the British Library, which has guaranteed free public access
