91ÇÑ×Ó

Lindley Library

The beautiful RHS Lindley Library in central London holds world-renowned collections of rare and modern books about horticulture, botanical art, photographs, as well as the archives of the RHS

91ÇÑ×Ó the RHS Lindley Library

The RHS Lindley Library is in the beautiful Edwardian headquarters of the Royal Horticultural Society.

The Society has had a library for more than 200 years and our collections reflect this longstanding passion for gardens and garden plants. They are a treasure trove for anyone interested in learning more about the history and art of gardening.

A world class library

Our Upper Reading Room is open to all. Drop in and browse our books, read the latest gardening magazines, and attend our exhibitions and events. RHS members can borrow books from our lending library and access our eBooks and Audiobooks.

Our Lower Research Room is open by advance appointment only, to provide access to our reference and heritage collections.

More information

Join RHS Libraries
If you would like to become an RHS Libraries member, please visit our join page.
Opening hours

Open 10am to 4pmTuesday to Friday. The Library is closed on Mondays, weekends, Bank Holidays, and specified closure dates (see below).

An answerphone is available outside these hours, please call 0207 821 3050 or email us your enquiry at [email protected] if you are unable to reach the library team by phone.

Pre-booked research appointments are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Lindley Library closure dates 2025–2026

Please note that the RHS Lindley Library will be closed on the following dates to accommodate external bookings:

  • Wednesday 21 May 2025
  • Friday 27 June 2025
  • Wednesday 1 October 2025
  • Thursday 2 October 2025
  • Thursday 9 October 2025
  • Thursday 6 November 2025

The library will also be unavailable to visitors during its annual closures:

  • Annual summer closure: Tuesday 19 August to Friday 29 August 2025
  • Annual Christmas closure: Tuesday 23 December 20205 to Friday 2 January 2026

During these closures, library staff will be undertaking collection assessments, audit work, and data collection to support the ongoing care and development of our very special collections. The team will be available to answer queries as usual (see Contact us below).

Borrowing
For more information on how to borrow from the most comprehensive gardening collection in the world, as well as information on click and collect and renewals, please visit our lending services page.
Contact the Lindley Library

Contact the team at the RHS Lindley Library with enquiries, including book reservations and renewals.

Address: RHS Lindley Library, 80 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE

Tel: 020 7821 3050

Email: [email protected]

Find us: Vincent Square map

Keep in touch

Get regular updates on what’s happening at our libraries by .

You can also follow the RHS on , , and . 

Accessibility

We regret that the RHS Lindley Library is not fully accessible. 

Only the library reception area has step-free access, via a ramped entrance into the building. The area is always staffed. 

The ground floor Lending Library is accessed by three steps with a handrail for support. 

The basement-level facilities – including the Research Room (where research appointments are usually held), Viewing Room (where some events happen), and some toilets (see below) are accessed via a 16-step staircase with two landing areas and a handrail for support. 

We do not have any accessible toilets at the Lindley Library. During normal opening hours, library visitors may use toilets located on the fourth floor, which are served by a lift. Attendees of research appointments and library events may use toilets located on the basement level. 

If you want to view something held in the Lindley Library collection, but cannot access our spaces, please get in touch and we will do our best to help. It may be possible for us to arrange a research appointment at our Wisley Library (which is fully accessible), or in our Lending Library at the Lindley Library (which can only be accessed up three steps) depending on your access needs and what material you are hoping to view. 

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91ÇÑ×Ó is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.