You Can Book A Stay At This Secret London Landmark For One Night Only

You’re going to want to bookmark the dates for this one.

World Book Day may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your love of literature all month (or year) long.

In honor of all things lit, Airbnb has partnered with Penguin Random House and Abby Parker of #BookTok's @abbysbooks and is offering two lucky guests the chance to stay overnight in London’s Hidden Library in St Paul’s Cathedral on March 15.

After an intensive four year restoration, the library and its contents are ready to welcome guests who are eager to surround themselves in the world of books for a grand total of £7 for the stay which also includes breakfast and dinner.

“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,” said Director of Visitor Engagement at St Paul’s Cathedral Sandra Lynes Timbrell. “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.”

Comprised of more than 22,000 books which were all but destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, the Cathedral library and subsequent one night stay will take place in the “bedroom section” of the library which is located behind the south-west tower of the building. “The Hidden Library of St. Paul’s Cathedral’s is truly a haven for book-lovers seeking the ultimate literary escape,” General Manager of Northern Europe at Airbnb Amanda Cupples said.

To kick off the experience, guests will be treated to dinner at a nearby restaurant, before heading to the library and settling in for a night Airbnb promises will be filled with “beautiful, bookish dreams.”

After entering St Paul’s Cathedral through the Dean’s door and climbing the famous 300-year old Geometric Staircase, guests will be invited to rest and unwind in the handsome ‘hidden library.’

From there, guests will greeted by the Dean of St Paul’s and receive a tour of the Cathedral after which they’ll be given the opportunity to lose track of time in the stacks or enjoy a sneak peek at Holly Jackson’s The Reappearance of Rachel Price, John Grisham’s Camino Ghosts, and Kevin Kwan’s Lies and Weddings before they hit the shelves.

The next morning, guests will be treated to breakfast before climbing the breathtaking dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. As if this memorable stay isn’t enough, guests will be gifted a variety of signed, stamped, and unreleased copies of upcoming Penguin Random House U.S. books to take home.

“This partnership with Airbnb is a true celebration of readers in the most magical of ways,” Alyssa Castaneda, Director of Brand Strategy at Penguin Random House U.S. said. “Exploring the secret corners of the Cathedral and summiting the famous dome, to reading their way through Penguin Random House US’s upcoming releases, this once in a lifetime experience is the stuff of fairytales.”

By the numbers, TikTok Book Club, otherwise known as #BookTok, has emerged as the social media site’s most popular online community, according to CNN. To date, #BookTok has amassing billions of views, and the #BookTok trend is expected to continue well into 2024 as fans and followers search the app for everything from the latest book recommendations and author interviews to travel inspiration based on popular books.

The stay at the Hidden Library of St Paul’s Cathedral will be available to book for two adults, and the experience is listed exclusively on Airbnb. “Whether you're a bookworm, a history enthusiast, or simply seeking a unique experience in London, we are thrilled to open up the doors to the library of your dreams, and one of the most iconic buildings in the world,”Amanda Cupples said.

To learn more, or to book this experience, you can visit www.airbnb.com/hiddenlibrary and may the odds be ever in your favor.