Lucky literature lovers can sleep among 20,000 books in St Paul’s library

Airbnb users could be given a once in a lifetime opportunity to stay in a hidden library in St Paul’s Cathedral – 83 years after it was last slept in.

The iconic London cathedral has created a room inside its 300-year-old library where a lucky guest to stay for just £7 in honour of World Book Day on March 7.

Metro.co.uk was given an exclusive look inside the stunning room, fit with a bed and nearly 20,000 books to choose from.

Two guests will also be given a dinner at a nearby restaurant and breakfast the following morning after their March 15 stay.

It’ll also be the first time someone has officially slept inside the library since World War II, when a voluntary organisation protected the cathedral from the blitz.

During the Second World War, 300 volunteers including cathedral clergy and staff, retired architects, and local residents watched over the building in case of fire or bombs.

Many of these volunteers would sleep in the library while on shift, but since the end of the Blitz, no one has done the same.

However, guests will now be able to enter the famous cathedral through the Dean’s door and climb a dizzying spiral stone staircase – designed by Sir Christopher Wren more than 300 years ago – to the library for a slumber.

A door beside the bed opens for lodgers to enjoy a stunning overhead view of the entire cathedral.

In the charming library, there are ladders to climb at your leisure for a closer look at the packed shelves.

On one shelf, a tiny book nook model of the library’s interior can be seen – including the stunning green bed.

A small room features a small swing with a floral backdrop for guests to take fun photos in.

And the lucky guests will get a tour of St Paul’s from the Dean, finishing their stay with a climb up the famous dome.

Plus good news for book lovers – the guests who are chosen to stay for the one night experience will receive signed and stamped copies of unreleased Penguin Random House US books from Holly Jackson and John Grisham.

Director of visitor engagement at St Paul’s Cathedral, Sandra Lynes Timbrell, said: ‘The recently restored library at St Paul’s has long been a secret gem of the Cathedral – cleverly concealed by the ingenious architecture of Sir Christopher Wren.

‘Some very fortunate guests will now get the chance to delve deeper into the history and wonder of St Paul’s with this truly one-of-a-kind stay.’

The stay will be available through Airbnb, with booking opening on March 12 – and the incredible sleepover happening on March 15.

The one-night-only stay is available for two adults and will cost £7 for the night, with breakfast and dinner included.

Booking for the experience opens on March 12 at 10am at airbnb.com/hiddenlibrary

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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