The phrase ‘hidden gem’ is bandied about quite a bit these days, but it really is the only way to describe Nottingham’s Bromley House Library.
Its entrance in Angel Row is nestled between a charity shop and a newsagents; easily missed if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Home to around 50,000 books, the library has been welcoming the city’s bibliophiles for more than 200 years.
Read more: Your Nottingham
The Grade II listed building, a four-storey Georgian townhouse, was built in 1752 for George Smith, grandson of the Smith’s Bank founder.
With its iconic spiral staircase, today the building features a series of reading rooms across three upper floors.
Day-to-day the library is only open to members, although non-members are welcome to buy tickets for events.
Earlier this month, Nottingham World was kindly given a tour of the library by its Development Manager, Matt Dolman.
Scroll down for a peek behind the scenes of this stunning building.
You can view upcoming events at Bromley House by pressing here.
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1. Bromley House Library
The spiral staircase leads to the library's second floor, where thousands of books can be found | Nottingham World Photo: Nottingham World
2. Bromley House Library
Members have access to several reading rooms across three upper floors | Nottingham World Photo: Nottingham World
3. Bromley House
In the 19th century, local businessman Alfred Barber set-up a photographic studio in the attic of Bromley House. This is believed to have been one of the first commercial photographic studios in the country and was used until 1955 | Nottingham World Photo: Nottingham World
4. Bromley House
This staircase leads to the main library | Nottingham World Photo: Nottingham World