I have walked by this building a couple times and for some reason I thought it was a theatre, but…read morediscovered I was completely wrong and it was a library. It was raining outside and I was looking for a place to duck in. I tried to look in the window to see what seating was like when I noticed that they had some souvenirs for purchase... including some items with the Magic Roundabout on it. I went in and there was quite a bit going on. It looked like there were a couple groups in and there were lots of people wandering the collection. I didn't get the chance to go upstairs, but it looks like they have quite a large collection and they have interlibrary loan (I overheard a librarian talking with a patron). There are computers around the wall of the library so people can use the internet or look up books. To the left of the entrance, there is the Tourist Information desk including a large collection of brochures and magazines for tourists for each part of the UK. There was a local section as well. Of course they had the selection of souvenirs that I saw from the outside... Swindon Monopoly, t-shirts, key chains, and coffee mugs with the Magic Roundabout, post cards, and various items for children. It is a lovely facility and seems to be well used by the public!

This is a brand new facility that has just opened in Swindon…read more The library is spread over three levels and is spacious with a cafe and loads of computers for internet access. This library has a very good selection of books on all topics and the staff are very helpful. Was worth the wait.

West Swindon Library can be found within the Link Centre building in West Swindon…read more They have a wide range of books and DVD's that you can borrow. There are computers there that you can use to browse the internet, but you need to book them. The staff there are really helpful. They will go out of their way to help you find something that you are looking for. You can return your books to any of the libraries in Swindon. You can also renew your books online. They have activities on from time to time to encourage childdren to read. There is free car parking next to the library.

West Swindon library is really big and has a huge range of books. They also have computers…read moreavailable to use for free with your library card. The staff are really friendly and helpful. They also rent out videos dvds cds and cassettes but I think there may be a small charge for this - only small though. It's a really nice place to go and have a read.

The Bodleian Library is the main library for Oxford University. It is the second largest libray in…read moreEngland - second only to the British Library. Unfortunately it is is closed on Sunday which was our only day in Oxford. Consequently we weren't able to see the inside or take a tour of the library and got to see the exterior only. The architecture is magnificant and even the exterior is worth seeing.

What an amazing experience! We had a tour of the Bodleian Libraries, and it was by far the…read morehighlight of our trip to Oxford. The rich history of the library was captivating, and the stunning architecture of the buildings was not to miss. Natasha, our tour guide, was an absolute gem! She guided us through the majestic halls and took us behind the scenes, explaining the lavish history along the way, always with a warm smile. Her enthusiasm for the library was palpable, and her extensive knowledge made the tour even more fascinating. One of the highlights was seeing the Duke Humfrey's library. Such a beautiful and historic building with crests of the University of Oxford covering the ceiling, and Kings, Queens, and Bishops along the aisles. The Radcliffe Camera and The Divinity Schools were not to miss as well. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Oxford.

This is quite a large modern-looking library situated above the Podium shopping centre in Bath…read more The library is in an attractive Bath Stone Building with large plate glass windows. The library also hosts events, for example local authors visiting to talk about their latest novels.

I've been disappointed with the choice of books here on a number of occasions. The study area is…read moregood but it's used by so many loud students that it makes it difficult to work here. The staff deal with it, but the students keep up their behaviour. It's frustrating. Lots of space and not many books. I hope they get lots of funding! I really like the staff here. :D I love the online renewal system.

Bristol's biggest library, though that doesn't mean its huge, has all you would expect. They've got…read morebanks of computers (that get filled up with students from City of Bristol college), obscure local archives, and a comprehensive fiction section. Unexpected bonuses include a wonderful room for working in upstairs, with rows of wooden desks. Silence reigns in this part of the library, and if you need somewhere quiet to get some reading done in the middle of the city, you can go here without having to buy a cup of coffee. They also have a good sheet music section, and a range of CDs and DVDs on offer - no need to go and pay at Blockbusters. A say 'in this part of the library' because its not necessarily the quietest of places. Keen on enticing the entire community, the kids section usually has a toddler screaming. I don't say this critically, libraries are better places when they're a bit lively, but bear this in mind when visiting. There's plenty to choose from here, and they have a catalogue that links up to the rest of the area, so they can order stuff in for you. If you visit for the first time remember to take along a utility bill so they can let you borrow. Bristol Central Library offers everything you'd expect and a few things you wouldn't in a friendly, convivial setting.

The central library is located next to the cathedral on college green and has an extensive…read morecollection of information in a variety of sources. The downstairs houses most of the non fiction material, and also has a small cafe/eating area, where you are also allowed to eat your own food. Upstairs is the reference section and main computer hub. Make sure you book an computer from the host one or you won't be able to log in. The library is pretty large, but just accommodates the amount of people it is required to, and can get pretty busy during the day - I too have been one of those printing out CVs and clogging up the photocopier. The staff here are really friendly and accommodating - they'll help you find exactly what you need to. Don't be afraid to ask!

A good, well stocked central library. Has a reference section with many current UK and…read moreInternational newspapers and journals, all up to date. Has a number of drop-in 15minute computers as well as about 8, 1 hour internet access computers that you have to sit and wait for until someone finishes. If your in Oxford and need internet access its worth popping in. The usual array of books, photocopying, fax,audio/video and reference materials that youd expect from main city library.

This was my childhood haunt and now I am back 20 years later and it's almost exactly the same (the…read morechildren's library has shrunk though, surely? or am I just taller?). Friendly and efficient reception staff got me registered and carded in a flash and off I was browsing the shelves. Fiction is good, and the music library rivals the Westminster Music Library (the UK gold standard I think) but not a massive number of non-fiction books in each category. Still, if you're after a specialist subject you'll probably be going to a specialist library, won't you?

Salisbury Library is the hub of the City with all the information you could need under one roof…read more They have an information point run by the Council where you can make enquiry's. There is a large reference library with lots of room to study, an art gallery, a library full of Dvd's to rent and Cd's. One of the best Children's sections i have ever seen and lots of computers for you to use to surf the net too! You couldnt ask for more!

This is for the house, not the library, as unfortunately we did not have time to see the library…read moreduring this visit (but it is on the list of things to make time for on a future visit). This was our first time visiting a manor house, and it was amazing. From first walking to the end of the driveway/carriageway and seeing the house for the first time, I was enchanted. Everything is so well-preserved and/or restored so as to give a good sense of what it would have been like to have lived there in Jane Austen's time (they do recognize most of their visitors are Jane Austen fans, but really, if you have any interest in English country estates or manor houses, you can appreciate this house's history and beauty). The staff and volunteers are very passionate and knowledgeable, and they will share as little or as much as you want them to. The gardens are also peaceful to walk through, and worth the time. They also have The Old Kitchen Tearoom. We had not had a chance to eat that morning, so were pretty hungry by the time we finished the tour before walking through the gardens or down the road to Jane Austen's house. The tearoom was pleasant, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. It was a nice day, so we sat outside, and the small courtyard that makes up the outdoor seating was beautiful. We had the egg and bacon brioche sandwiches, which perfectly hit the spot and gave us the energy we needed for our future walks that day. In the future, I would just make sure to make Chawton a full day trip. Yes, it is a village and there is not a lot overall, but this house alone offers so much that you really need to give yourself the time to appreciate it. We were there for about 2 hours, but could have easily spent another 1-2 hours depending if we wanted to spend more time in the gardens, see the library, and/or see the church (which we did try to see, but was locked when we visited). Thank you to the Knight family for opening up your property for us to see, and to all those who have ensured over the years that this place is accessible to appreciate!

Just a short walk (five minutes) up a pretty country lane from Jane Austen's cottage in Chawton,…read moreyou will find a stately surprise in the form of a Tudor manor house, built in the 1500's. Chawton House and estate were owned by Jane's wealthy brother. She called it "The Great House". Today it is a working educational site (the Centre for the Study of Early Women's Writing, in partnership with the University of Southampton), yet is open to the public and a must-visit for Austen fans. Chawton House is one of the Knight estates inherited by Edward Austen, who was lucky enough to be adopted by rich relatives in need of an heir. He changed his surname from "Austen" to "Knight." The manor house interior has been beautifully restored. There is a church on the grounds (Jane's mother and sister are buried in the church yard) - and an attached farm. This grand house is probably where Jane spent a lot of time with family when she needed to get away from the cramped cottage. By the way, it's only recently that Chawton House been available for public tours; it has been a private facility for some 20 years. Happily we can now tour both the interior and the gardens. [Note: if you want to see one of the Pemberley-style estates Jane's brother inherited, go to the palatial Godmersham Park in Kent. Jane would have frequented this house, to visit her brother's family, as well. It's not quite Downton Abbey - but almost!] Finally, for Austenites, it's worth noting that Jane is buried inside Winchester Cathedral; and you can see the house where she died, not far from the Cathedral grounds. Winchester is only 15-20 miles from Chawton.