St. Paul’s Cathedral is offering a unique opportunity for book lovers to stay overnight in its hidden library in honour of World Book Day.
For just £7, two guests will have the chance to spend the night in this secret room within the historic London landmark on March 15. The stay includes dinner at a nearby restaurant and breakfast the following morning.
This event marks the first time since World War II that someone will officially sleep inside the Cathedral, when it served as a shelter from bombing raids. Guests will enter through the Dean’s door and ascend the spiral staircase designed by Sir Christopher Wren over 300 years ago. At the top, they’ll discover the library, which houses over 22,000 books, including classics and forthcoming releases from Penguin Random House US.
During their visit, guests will receive a tour of the Cathedral and have the opportunity to climb to the famous dome the next morning. To commemorate their experience, they’ll receive signed and stamped copies of select Penguin Random House US books.
The Director of Visitor Engagement at St. Paul’s Cathedral described the library as a “secret gem” and expressed excitement about sharing it with lucky guests. The stay will be available through Airbnb, with bookings opening on March 12.
Airbnb’s General Manager for Northern Europe expressed thrill about opening the library doors to bookworms and history enthusiasts. Additionally, the Director of Brand Strategy at Penguin Random House US called the partnership with Airbnb a celebration of readers in a magical way.
The one-night stay is open for booking to two adults and costs only £7, with breakfast and dinner included. Booking for this unique experience opens on March 12, 2024, at 10 am on airbnb.com/hiddenlibrary.