After a four-hour long car trip, I ended up in a lovely village called Hawarden in Flintshire,
located on the North Wales border. For a Londoner, the idea of having the bliss and
silence of countryside alongside sleeping with books is just intriguing.
A Grade-I listed reddish, church-like, sandstone, Victorian Gothic exterior design is the sort
of building you might like to know more about. I’m welcomed by a portrait of Gladstone as
if asking ‘Have you read any books today?’
Gladstone Library lands were bought in 1889 by William Ewart Gladstone, who was a
member of Parliament for over sixty years and four times the Liberal Democrat Prime
Minister. Gladstone believed in the power of education for transformation. He didn’t want to
donate his books to London or Oxford where books could be easily reached. Gladstone
was eager to share his personal collection with others and especially with those wanting to
learn but facing financial constraints. Armed with only his valet and one of his daughters,
Gladstone was well into his eighties when he wheeled 32.000 books three-quarters of a
mile between his home at Hawarden Castle and the temporary place chosen for the
Library. He unpacked them and put them on the shelves using his own catalogue system.
The library moved into its current home in 1902.
Gladstone read 22.000 of his books by skimming through, often making notes beside
paragraphs and sections that were of interest and importance. It is known from his notes in
the books that he read these books himself.
After receiving a very friendly welcoming from the reception, I started to head towards my
room, alongside the smell of homemade food coming from the kitchen. The 26 rooms are
plain and contemporary; minimalist and great for resting. The modern art pieces on the
white walls, a cool study desk and chair, a comfortable bed and a flexible lamp on the
bedside table, a kettle, a good selection of teas and coffee, and a Robertson radio. There
are no TVs in the rooms.
The residential library is home to more than 250,000 books, under the themes of theology,
literary culture, the economy, history, politics, literature, art, with some of them annotated
with Gladstone’s original notes. Residents can work in the Theology Room until 10pm,
every day.
Dinner and breakfast are served in the communal canteen’s food hall. For just £8.95 you
can enjoy 2 courses such as salmon with potatoes and vegetables, or vegetable lasagne
and salad, followed by apple strudel with custard.
For breakfast: cereal, porridge, fresh fruit, croissants and cheese that come as included in
your room fee.
A cooked breakfast is available for a £2.00 supplement, which is omelette or kippers. After
dinner, tea and coffee are served in the Gladstone Room. The room accommodates comfy
sofas, shelves of contemporary fiction books, newspapers, candlesticks, board games, a
fireplace, and an honesty bar.
The library has been residential since it first opened in 1904, this having always been
Gladstone’s intention, but it gained more prestige with the Writer in Residence programme.
The programme has hosted writers including Sarah Perry, Jessie Burton, Melissa
Harrison, Sally Vickers, Wendy Cope, and Amy Liptrot. The Library is also home to many
events such as “The Bible Through Palestinian Eyes”, “Greek in a Week”, “The Gladstone
Umbrella”, “Gladstone Literary Festival”, “Writing: Finding Success Through Failure — An
Evening with Writer in Residence, Emily Morris” and more.
Church Lane, Hawarden CH5 3DF; 01244 532350; gladstoneslibrary.org