Gladstone's Library
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gladlib.bsky.social
Gladstone's Library
@gladlib.bsky.social
14K followers 690 following 1.6K posts
A unique residential library in North Wales with beautiful Reading Rooms, Food for Thought restaurant, accommodation and more.
Read, write, rest!

linktr.ee/gladlib
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gladlib.bsky.social
On behalf of the team at Gladstone’s Library may you have a very happy Christmas!

Many of us have a favourite Christmas Carol. Mine is ‘O Holy Night’, especially because of this verse:
O holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth

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A photo of two hands pulling a Christmas Cracker in front of a Christmas tree covered in tinsel, lights and baubles. Text overlayed reads 'Merry Christmas from all at Gladstone's Library!'
December 25, 2025 at 6:00 AM
gladlib.bsky.social
📣 Tickets available for Writing with an Ear to Sound, a Masterclass with David Hendy

📆 17 January 10:30am-3pm | 📍 Gladstone's Library | 🎟️ Tickets £70
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A photo of David Hendy with the text 'Writing with an ear to sound with David Hendy. Saturday 17th January 2026 10.30am-3pm. Tickets £70, available now! www.gladstones.org/events'
December 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
Gladstone’s Library is now closed for Christmas and New Year! We reopen on Tuesday 6th January at 2pm and hope to see you then.
A photo of Gladstone's Library with text overlayed 'WE ARE CLOSED. WE REOPEN ON TUESDAY 6TH JANUARY AT 2PM See you soon!'
December 22, 2025 at 12:45 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
🎄We close today (22 Dec) at 10am, and we reopen on Tues 6 Jan at 2pm

As the year draws to a close I want to wish you all a joy-filled Christmas and a happy new year. Thank you for all your support and encouragement. It has been a full year and we have much to be thankful for.
December 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
gladlib.bsky.social
It was wonderful to welcome Hanan Issa back to Gladstone’s Library last week to stay with us during her Artist in Residence visit with Theatr Clwyd in partnership with the Wales Millennium Centre - Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru. Hanan Issa is the current National Poet of Wales!
A photo of Hanan Issa in an armchair surrounded by floor to ceiling bookshelves. She is leaning her chin on her hand propped up on the armchair.
December 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by Gladstone's Library
kateem.bsky.social
And here is the view from my desk @gladlib.bsky.social
An upstairs view from a desk in St Deiniol's Library, Hawarden, north Wales, built by William Gladstone for scholars, readers and writers.
December 12, 2025 at 9:20 AM
gladlib.bsky.social
📖 A day in the life at Gladstone’s Library 📖
Step inside the quiet magic of the Reading Rooms, relax in the cosy Gladstone Room, and wander around the Grade 1 listed building (one of only a few in the whole of Wales!). Thank you to @alittlemixofvix for capturing this video.
December 15, 2025 at 10:01 AM
gladlib.bsky.social
🎁We’ve got the perfect gifts for everyone on your list!

❄️Gladstone’s Library Gift Vouchers
❄️Befriend a Book 2025: help preserve history!
❄️Shop via bookshop.org/shop/gladstoneslibrary
❄️Exclusive Library Merchandise (in person) Link in bio or visit our website!
A colourful mug with the writing 'Gladstone's Library is my happy place' is placed on a shelf with a wooden backdrop. Around it is a coaster with a stack of books drawn, a pin badge of a stack of books, a door hanger that says 'shh... I'm reading', a length of green fir branch, and a piece of wrapping paper with a colourful bookcase design. A three-tiered afternoon tea with sandwiches, cakes and scones placed on a wooden table. A damaged book laid on a black surface. The book is torn in two with the spine ripped off. A woman sits in a garden, at a table, reading a book and pouring milk into a teacup.
December 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
📣Calling writers: Gladstone’s Library is offering one funded place on The Six-Month Writing Course with @kitdewaal.com. For writers who would benefit from the course but may otherwise be unable to access it. We especially welcome those who feel marginalised within the industry.
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A poster with a black background and a headshot of Kit de Waal wearing thick glasses, red lipstick and a black jumper. She is looking off to the left. Text reads 'The Six-Month Writing Course with Kit de Waal and Gladstone's Library. Full Bursary place now available!'
December 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Reposted by Gladstone's Library
davidhendy.bsky.social
And in March, I'll also be giving an evening talk at @gladlib.bsky.social

It will offer the very first sneak preview of my forthcoming book - on the secrets, lives, and tangled lives of Britain's wartime propagandists

Details - and booking - here:
Talk: The Secrets, Lies, and Tangled Lives of Britain’s Wartime Propagandists, with David Hendy - Gladstone's Library
The Secrets, Lies, and Tangled Lives of Britain’s Wartime Propagandists, with David Hendy 7pm-8pm, Tuesday 3rd March 2026 Join the writer and broadcaster David...
www.gladstoneslibrary.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Reposted by Gladstone's Library
davidhendy.bsky.social
As a 2026 Writer-in-Residence at @gladlib.bsky.social I'm doing a 'masterclass'.

It's on writing about sound: exploring ways to bring a richer sensory dimension to writing for the page and writing for radio.

Details - and booking - available here:

www.gladstoneslibrary.org/event/master...
Masterclass: Writing with an Ear to Sound with David Hendy - Gladstone's Library
Writing with an Ear to Sound – a writing Masterclass with David Hendy 10.30am-3pm, Saturday 17th January 2026 Join the writer and broadcaster David...
www.gladstoneslibrary.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Reposted by Gladstone's Library
satisfactory20.bsky.social
New blogpost! Read about my visit to the Gladstone Rock and research into the Gladstone women who climbed Snowdon (Yr Wydffa) at the brilliant @gladlib.bsky.social www.gladstoneslibrary.org/blog/the-gla...
The Gladstone family and Snowdonia, by Mari Takayanagi - Gladstone's Library
Dr Mari Takayanagi recently spent a week here at Gladstone's Library as holder of the Dr Daisy Ronco Scholarship (2024-25), for research in the area of
www.gladstoneslibrary.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by Gladstone's Library
lrylandepton.bsky.social
As an experiment, a goose was once (allegedly) put into a medieval tunnel under #BradenstokePriory. It emerged several miles away, featherless. One of several items of c17 weirdness I discovered while @gladlib.bsky.social & will feature in my next book 📕
www.louiserylandepton.co.uk/blog/the-fea...
December 1, 2025 at 10:53 AM
gladlib.bsky.social
🎄We’re down to our last remaining tables for Christmas Lunch at Gladstone’s Library🎄

Pre-booking is essential. Go to our website (link in bio), click 'Dine' and follow the instructions listed or pop in to Reception.
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A promotional graphic for Christmas Lunch at Gladstone’s Library. The top half shows a long dining table set with festive decorations. The text reads: ‘Christmas Lunch at Gladstone’s Library.’ Below, it announces: ‘Limited tables remain in December!’ with available dates listed as Thursday 11th, Saturday 13th, Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th, and Sunday 21st. The footer notes: ‘Pre-booking essential | £10 deposit per person,’ along with the website www.gladstoneslibrary.org/bistro and phone number +44 (0)1244 532350. The Gladstone’s Library logo appears on the right side
December 6, 2025 at 5:15 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
🎄Christmas is in full swing here in Hawarden! Alice & Beth are in St. Deiniol's Church and Louisa & Izzy are at the Library running free drop-in Glimpse tours at 1.30pm and 2.30pm. Or visit Alice & Beth and pick up our Library quiz to be in the draw for an Afternoon Tea for two!
December 6, 2025 at 1:30 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
🎄 Join us at the Hawarden Christmas Extravaganza tomorrow (Sat 6th Dec)!🎄

Say hello to us at our stall in St Deiniol’s Church and join the festive celebrations at this wonderful community event across the Church and Tithe Barn. Plus see below for Library tour times!
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A bust of William Gladstone on a windowsill surrounded by a red and green garland and wearing a Santa hat.
December 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
With summer warmth fading into memory, here are 19th Century tips for coping with a heatwave:

"Allow nothing to worry you.”
“Refrain from reading the Debates.”
“Shun public dinners.”
“Walk twice the distance rather than get inside a red-hot oven of an omnibus.”
A photo of a book page with the date 'July 3 1858' and the title 'Advice in hot weather'. A drawing of an elephant takes up most of the image, the elephant is wearing a suit and leaning back to pour a bottle of liquid into its mouth.
November 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
If you're subscribed to our newsletter, the November edition will now be in your inbox! Or in your Junk... do check!

If you would like to register for our newsletter, to hear our news, upcoming events, offers and more, sign up by going to our website and scrolling to the bottom.
A screenshot of the November Newsletter from Gladstone's Library.
November 27, 2025 at 6:30 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
✏️ Engagement and Learning Programme Update!

In November, over 50 Year 5 students from Hawarden Village School visited us to learn about local Victorian leaders. They viewed collection items and designed their own bookplates, taking inspiration from those in our collection.
A school student looking at an open book rested on a cushion. Three school students sitting at a table, drawing their own bookplates. A close up of a student's bookplate design, surrounded by coloured pencils. The design has lots of writing, with a clear heading 'Be kind to everyone'.
November 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
The restoration work to our beautiful Grade 1 listed building is well underway! We remain fully open to all visitors, and the team here at the Library are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum. Thank you all for your support during this time!
A historic stone building is shown partly covered in scaffolding. Two workers in high-visibility jackets stand on the upper scaffolding platform near the chimney. The sky is lightly cloudy and blue. Three construction workers wearing high-visibility vests and hard hats stand on scaffolding with their backs to the camera, looking out toward an old stone church with a tall spire. Trees with autumn foliage surround the church, and the sky is overcast. A historic stone building is shown partly covered in scaffolding. The sky is lightly cloudy and blue. A historic stone building is shown partly covered in scaffolding. A worker in a high-visibility jacket stands on the upper scaffolding platform near the chimney. The sky is clear and blue.
November 25, 2025 at 12:02 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
Join acclaimed writer & broadcaster, and Gladstone's Library Writer in Residence, David Hendy for a masterclass on using sound to enrich your writing.

📅 Sat 17 Jan '26
🕑 10:30AM-3PM
🎟️ £70
📍 Gladstone’s Library
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@davidhendy.bsky.social
@unitedagents.bsky.social
@profilebooks.bsky.social
Poster for a Gladstone’s Library masterclass titled “Writing with an Ear to Sound with David Hendy.” The image shows author and historian David Hendy smiling with arms crossed, wearing glasses and a blue jacket. His book “The BBC: A People’s History” appears in the lower left. Event details read: Saturday 17th January 2026, 10:30am–3pm, tickets £70, available now. Gladstone’s Library branding appears on the top left, with a link to www.gladstoneslibrary.org/events in the bottom right.
November 24, 2025 at 5:45 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
📣 Tickets now available!📣

📆 Saturday 31st January 2026
🕐 10.30AM-7.30PM
📍 Gladstone's Library
🎟️ Full day, morning and afternoon tickets available at buff.ly/pbuNH4x

@harrymanonbluesky.bsky.social
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A promotional poster for ‘Hearth 2026’, a one-day micro-festival at Gladstone’s Library. The event is on Saturday 31st January from 10:30am to 7:30pm. Ticket prices are listed as £110 for a full day and £60 for a half day. Featured authors are Sarah Perry, Harry Man, Dan Kaszeta, and Glenn Malkin. The poster describes four authors giving four talks, ending with a Q&A. The lower half shows an orange-tinted vintage photograph of a person lying on a fur rug reading by firelight, with the words ‘Gather round Hearth’. Gladstone’s Library’s logo appears on the right side. A banner at the bottom reads: ‘Book your tickets now | gladstoneslibrary.org’. A poster for ‘Hearth 2026’. The schedule lists: • 10:30–11:30 — ‘Death of an Ordinary Man: Sarah Perry talks to Louisa Yates’ • 12:00–13:00 — ‘Popular Song with Harry Man’ • 13:00–14:30 — Lunch at Food for Thought • 14:30–15:30 — ‘What is Ukraine and who are Ukrainians?’ with Dan Kaszeta • 16:00–17:00 — ‘Binding the Booker Prize’ with Glenn Malkin • 17:30–18:30 — Hearth Q&A with all four speakers • 18:30 — Dinner at Food for Thought A banner along the bottom reads: ‘Book your tickets now | gladstoneslibrary.org’. The design includes yellow accents and a ‘Festival’ tag in the top-left corner.
November 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
📖Befriend a Book 2025: Help Restore a Piece of History

After last year’s amazing campaign, we’re inviting you to help restore the 4-volume Diary and Correspondence of John Evelyn — a treasure of Gladstone's nineteenth-century collection.
👉 Donate: buff.ly/JNy5ZzG
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An image of a damaged book. The book is split in two, laid flat to show the two halves. In between them is part of the spine that has detached.
November 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
Gladstone’s Library is thrilled to announce an exciting events programme for 2026 with award-winning writer Kit de Waal on!

Writing Kit: Craft, Story and the Writer's Life offers a rare opportunity to learn from Kit in small, focused groups. Visit gladstoneslibrary.org/writing-kit
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A poster with the background image of Kit de Waal in a white shirt and black jacket in front of a black background, looking off to the left. The header reads 'Writing Kit 2026' above it reads 'Craft, Story and The Writer’s Life'. Underneath Kit, is the text: 'Gladstone’s Library launches 2026 events programme with Kit de Waal! Places are limited. Book now at gladstoneslibrary.org/writing-kit' At the bottom left is a circular logo of Gladstone's Library, and a circular logo reading 'Writing Kit'.
November 17, 2025 at 12:30 PM
gladlib.bsky.social
🎄Book your table for our two- or three-course Christmas Lunches from 1st to 21st December 2025!🎁

Every day from 12pm to 2:30pm (1st-21st December only), tuck in to a delicious menu of starters, mains, desserts and beverages in our Food for Thought restaurant.

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Over a photo of a table laid for Christmas Lunch is the same text as is written in the caption. Plus www.gladstoneslibrary.org | enquiries@gladlib.org | +44 (0)1244 532350 A menu reading: 2 courses: £28.95 (under 12s: £15), 3 courses: £31.95 (under 12s: £18). It lists starters, mains, desserts and beverages. You can find this information at www.gladstoneslibrary.org/bistro/
November 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM