British Library Tour with Architect Rolfe Kentish
Wednesday 8 October 2025, 2-5pm
Join the Friends of Kettle’s Yard on an architectural tour of the British Library with Rolfe Kentish.
About Rolfe Kentish and his work on the British Library
The special tour will be led by architect Rolfe Kentish, who has worked on the design of the British Library since 1982. He worked with Professor Sir Colin ‘Sandy’ Wilson (1922–2007) and MJ Long OBE (1939–2018). Long & Kentish architects designed the British Library Centre for Conservation which opened in 2007 and is due to be replaced with a larger extension in the 2030s. Rolfe continues to advise the Library on improved access and building conservation projects in the Grade I Listed Building.
The tour will include the principal spaces outside (e.g. the Cardozo Kindersley portico gate shown above, and the foundation stone by Will Carter, father of one of the members of the Friends of Kettle’s Yard Events Committee) and inside as well as back-of-house areas, including basement book storage and plant rooms. Some of the Library’s commissioned art collection will also be seen, including work by Caulfield, Gormley, Hepworth, Kitaj, Mistry, Paolozzi, Philips, and Scott. The tour will finish with tea and a discussion in the boardroom, if available.
Timings and Further Information
Please arrange your own transport to London for the visit.
2pm: Meet outside of main entrance on British Library Piazza, below the clock tower.
2.15 pm: Introduction and tour.
4.15 pm: Tea and discussion.
5 pm: End of visit.
All proceeds support Kettle’s Yard. Refunds are not possible, unless the visit is cancelled by Kettle’s Yard.
Should the visit be sold out, please email friends@kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk to join the waiting list.
