Stayed for 2 nights in Gladstone's Library. It felt so peaceful and relaxing,. I cannot think of a better place just to chill, but of course it is also excellent for studying, writing etc. It's easy.to get a bus into Chester, and the village is pleasant to walk around, with 3 pubs if you can't live without some draught beer... More

Gladstone's library is the only residential prime ministerial library in the UK. Apart from an excellent collection of theological and other works, based on Gladstone's own collection, it offers a place for quiet reflection and stimulating conversations. The venue is within easy reach of Chester, the North Wales coast, and market towns such as Wrexham and Mold. This was my... More

Back again. This was my second visit, coming during the heavy March snow. I enjoyed my stay just as much as last year even though I was only able to stay for the one night. The staff were brilliant when I had to change my booking due to the snow and I even retained the advantage of their marketing wheeze... More

I have been to Gladstone's many a time, and the fact that I keep going back tells its own story. For rest and relaxation, it's great. Plus points: the superb mock-Tudor library, which is always toasty warm. the excellent cooking the comfortable living room wifi available throughout. Downsides: there are a few. One is that the library shuts at 10pm,... More

This was my first visit, together with a group of colleagues, on a writing retreat to get away from the emails, admin etc etc and focus on our research. This is the most wonderful place to do just that. The atmosphere is calm and peaceful, the building beautiful with useful spaces for silent study or discussions, the food down to... More

I am just enjoying my sixth visit to Gladstone's library, February visits have become a ritual in order to re-charge my batteries at the start of the year. For me it is primarily a reading retreat. On my first visit I glutted on a pile of the wonderful books on offer - the key topics being history/religion/Victoriana, but plenty of... More

This is a unique place. The only residential library in the uk. Very interesting building. Library is fascinating. The only thing preventing a 5 star rating was our room was on the cools side and there was no heating in the bathroom. A worthwhile experience.

Perhaps you would like to take some time out to read, write or study - or just to sit and think? Gladstone's Library is utterly unique, perhaps the only residential library in the world? Wonderfully historic, it is steeped in a positive, yet quietly gentle, energy. The rooms are recently refurbished; they are very simple, beautifully clean and also quiet.... More

I was mightily impressed by my recent stay at the Gladstone Library where I had not stayed since April 1985. As ever, it was very comfortable, the staff were most pleasant and helpful, the company congenial and the food tasty (although the portion size of the evening meals was rather small!). It was lovely to be able to relax in... More