While Brimlestone is freely accessible during daylight hours, you can reserve a special after-hours experience or arrange a guided visit for groups and special occasions.
Reserve NowOur tiny library is open to individual visitors daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM without reservation. Simply stop by, browse our collection, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of our literary telephone booth. Feel free to take a book if you leave one in return—preferably with a local connection.
During peak hours (weekends and 12:00-2:00 PM on weekdays), there may be a short wait to enter the booth as we limit occupancy to two people at a time.
For a truly special experience, book our After Hours package. Available Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM, this intimate session gives you exclusive access to Brimlestone when it's beautifully illuminated against the night sky.
Your booking includes a curated selection of books based on your interests, a handcrafted bookmark, and a hot beverage from our partner café. Perfect for date nights or peaceful solo reading time.
We welcome school groups, book clubs, and other organizations interested in learning about our unique library and the stories it contains. Group visits include a 30-minute talk about the history of Brimlestone and our community initiatives, followed by time to explore the collection.
Due to space limitations, groups larger than 15 people will be divided into smaller rotations. Group bookings are available Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
When you visit our tiny library, you'll step into a meticulously restored K6 telephone booth that has been transformed into an intimate literary space. The interior features custom wooden shelving that houses approximately 100 books, pamphlets, and zines—all with connections to East London's rich cultural tapestry.
Our carefully curated collection includes works by local authors, books set in the area, historical accounts of East London, and community-contributed stories. The selection rotates regularly, with new additions highlighted on our "Fresh Ink" shelf.
While compact—it is a telephone booth, after all—we've designed the space to be comfortable for browsing. The booth is equipped with soft LED lighting, a small stool for those who wish to sit while reading, and a visitor's journal where you can share your thoughts or contribute a short story of your own.
Visiting Brimlestone is about more than just books—it's about connecting with local culture and becoming part of an ongoing community narrative. Many visitors describe the experience as surprisingly immersive, with the booth's intimate dimensions creating a unique sense of being enveloped by stories.
Brimlestone is located at 100 Commercial Street, London E1 6LZ, in the heart of Spitalfields. Our distinctive red telephone booth stands out against the historic architecture of the area, just a short walk from several major landmarks.
Look for the red telephone booth with books visible through its glass panels. You can't miss us!
To arrange a special visit to Brimlestone, please complete the form below. We'll respond within 24 hours to confirm your reservation.
Regular visits during standard hours (8:00 AM to 7:00 PM) are completely free. After Hours Experiences are £15 per person, which includes exclusive access, a curated book selection, handcrafted bookmark, and hot beverage. Group bookings are £5 per person with a minimum booking of 5 people. All proceeds go directly to maintaining Brimlestone and supporting our community initiatives.
The booth comfortably accommodates two adults at a time. For group bookings, visitors rotate through the booth while others participate in the talk and activities in the adjacent outdoor space. During inclement weather, our partner café provides space for the non-booth portions of group visits.
We gladly accept donations that align with our collection focus: works by East London authors, books set in the area, local history, and community stories. Due to space limitations, we can't accept all donations, but we partner with local libraries to find homes for books that don't fit our collection. Please contact us before bringing donations.
We strive to make our unique space as accessible as possible, but due to the historic nature of the telephone booth, there are limitations. The booth has a 7-inch step up from street level and the interior space is confined. For visitors unable to enter the booth, we offer a "Booth to You" service where a volunteer can bring selected books outside for browsing.
The booth itself is weatherproof, but for After Hours Experiences and group bookings that include outdoor components, we have contingency arrangements with nearby covered spaces. We'll contact you in advance if weather conditions might affect your visit and offer rescheduling options if preferred.
We accommodate a limited number of special events such as book launches, poetry readings, and literary celebrations. The unique setting creates a memorable backdrop for intimate gatherings of up to 20 people (rotating through the booth itself). Contact us with your event concept for availability and pricing.