"For the first time ever, Middle Temple's law library will be opening its doors to the public for heritage tours of the collection. The library, which is open to lawyers and students, is around 500 years old, however, in the early years, it was usually left unlocked, and all the books were stolen, which seems rather awkward for a law library. Although they've long offered tours for lawyers, it has not been open to the public. Until now."
"The Library was refounded in 1641, when Robert Ashley bequeathed 6,000 of his own books and funds for a Library Keeper. Over the centuries, the Library has had several homes. Its current building, the Ashley Building, designed by Sir Edward Maufe (of Guildford Cathedral fame), opened in 1958 after WWII bombing destroyed the previous site. The old entrance steps of the nineteenth-century building still remain and can be seen from the windows of the current library."
Middle Temple's law library will open publicly for heritage tours, offering first-time public access to the collection. The library dates to around 500 years and was historically vulnerable, with early books often stolen when premises were left unlocked. The Library was refounded in 1641 after Robert Ashley bequeathed 6,000 books and funds for a Library Keeper. The collection has occupied several homes. The current Ashley Building, designed by Sir Edward Maufe, opened in 1958 after WWII bombing destroyed the previous site, and nineteenth-century entrance steps remain visible. Tours cost £5.42 per person and the building is accessible from Victoria Embankment, Fleet Street, or the Outer Temple alleyway.
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