Inner Temple Library
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Inns of Court Library serving barristers, judges and bar students in England and Wales. Open to members of all four Inns of Court.
The Library is first mentioned in the Inn's records in 1506. Since then there have been a number of Library buildings which have met a variety of fates. One was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666, another was blown up in 1679 to prevent a fire spreading from Middle Temple and a third was destroyed by the Luftwaffe in 1941, although by that time many of the books had been, albeit belatedly, removed to safety. The present Library building, designed by T.W. Sutcliffe, was constructed after the war and did not reopen until 1958. The current redesign, opened in 2022, is built over one floor, with eight rooms of various sizes. The Library interior is very traditional in style with oak panelled rooms.
26/08/2026
New Students - Get to know the Library and the services available to you with a short, practical introduction from library staff.
These 30-minute tours are exclusively for student members of the Inns of Court. Tours are designed to give you a quick orientation so you can make confident use of the Library, its collections and its facilities. Book online https://students2026.eventbrite.co.uk
20/08/2026
A reminder that we are closed from Monday 17 - Monday 31 August. We are still available on the phone, via email and for document supply https://www.innertemplelibrary.org.uk/document-supply.../
31/07/2026
Summer opening hours will be begin on Monday 3 August. See the calendar on our website for all four Inn Libraries' opening hours:https://www.innertemplelibrary.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/summeropeninghours2026.pdf
24/07/2026
No Inn Library is open this Saturday or during the Summer. See our website for more details. https://www.innertemplelibrary.org.uk/about/saturday-opening-hours/
17/07/2026
Lincoln’s Inn Library is open this Saturday, 18 July, from 10am to 5pm. The Library is open to members of the Inns of Court only.
10/07/2026
We are open this Saturday, 11 July, from 10am to 5pm. Come and cool down! The Library is open to members of the Inns of Court only.
03/07/2026
Gray’s Inn Library is open this Saturday, 4 July, from 10am to 5pm. The Library is open to members of the Inns of Court only.
26/06/2026
Middle Temple Library is open this Saturday, 27 June, from 10am to 5pm. The Library is open to members of the Inns of Court only.
19/06/2026
Lincoln’s Inn Library is open this Saturday, 20 June, from 10am to 5pm. The Library is open to members of the Inns of Court only.
17/06/2026
Huge congratulations to our former Master of the Library Sally Smith KC for winning the Crime and Thriller book of the year at the British Book Awards! The library holds copies of 'A Case of Mice and Murder' and it's follow up 'A Case of Life and Limb'; both are available for 3 week loan to any library user who'd like to delve in to this “exquisitely written” murder mystery.
Book of the Year - Crime & Thriller 2026 Winner & Shortlist | The British Book Awards Check out the 2026 winner and shortlist for the Crime & Thriller Book of the Year at The British Book Awards
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Contact the organisation
Address
Inner Temple Library, Crown Office Row
London
EC4Y7HL
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9am - 8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 8pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 8pm |
| Friday | 9am - 7pm |