
Gladstone’s Library
Church Ln, Hawarden, Deeside CH5, UK
Retreat Centre Description
Gladstone's Library is the UK's finest residential library, boasting 26 bedrooms, an on-site restaurant and a comfortable guest lounge. It is also the UK's only Prime Ministerial library and was built following a bequest from William Ewart Gladstone, Victorian statesman and four times Prime Minister of Great Britain. The current building, raised in 1902 and designed by John Douglas, was funded by public subscription. The organisation is a self-sustaining registered charity: every donation made and pound spent here goes directly into maintaining the site and the collections it protects.
We host a lively programme of events which include talks, workshops, masterclasses and residential courses. You can find out what's on - and book onto our Glimpse tours - by following this link. We also host externally organised conferences and retreats.
Our world-famous Reading Rooms house thousands of books, including the Gladstone Collection, which comprises items from Gladstone's own personal library. It is also home to several unique archival collections, making it a destination for scholars from across the globe.
The Reading Rooms are silent study spaces, offering writers, researchers and readers a space in which to think and work. A number of published works, including academic books and bestselling novels have been produced here. You can search our catalogue using the form on our website.

Accommodation on Offer
Accommodation:
Our 26 quirky comfortable bedrooms have a simple fresh look and feel to them and are a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life and routine. We also have a suite available which is perfect if you wish for a little more space. Please contact Reception on 01244 532350 or enquiries@gladlib.org for details.
All of our bedroom now have private bathroom facilities, free Wi Fi access, tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer and a radio.
There are no TVs in the bedrooms (this is to preserve the ethos of study and reflection).
Conferencing:
Retreats, away days, business meetings, training courses, corporate presentations, product launches, panel interviews, committee gatherings or one-to-one sessions - we can adapt to suit your needs.
Our meeting rooms can be hired on a room-only basis or with the addition of tea / coffee and lunch for your members or participants. We can arrange for our rooms to be laid out to meet your requirements – whether this is chairs in rows for a presentation event, or a more informal layout for group meetings and talks. We can also arrange buffet-style refreshments.
We offer:
- A range of meeting and conference rooms
- Unlimited tea / coffee and delicious home-cooked food
- Modern boutique-style bedrooms
- Free WiFi
- Free parking
- A comfortable, sociable and stimulating environment
- Resources and surroundings for focus and creativity

Retreat Centre Facilities
Please see website for retreat centre facilities

Types of Retreat Offered
Please see website for retreats offered

2025 Events
There is always something happening at Gladstone's Library!
We host courses (residential and short courses) focusing on theology, literature, film and faith, Victorian history and politics and much more.
Retreat Centre Location
Church Ln, Hawarden, Deeside CH5, UK