Inside reading room at St Deiniol's Library

The library was set up using the collection of a former prime minister. (Image: Llywelyn2000)

The Gladstone Library was founded in 1895 by William Gladstone as St. Deiniol's Library in Flintshire, Wales. The former Liberal British Prime Minister, donated his personal collection of books, as well as a significant sum of money to establish the institution, which is now the only residential library in the UK. This means visitors can stay the night in the building, and make use of its offerings over multiple days. Claire Ramsey documented her visit to the library on TikTok as she went about finishing her thesis.

She explained that the library is a charity, and it runs on the money it makes from donations, and people hiring a room for the night and buying food on site. The content creator described her room as "very cute", with a bookish wallpaper. "The bed was absolutely massive," she added. "There was so much space." The bathroom was also "absolutely massive", Claire also told her viewers.

In the room, the video shows, were bits and bobs, including a bookmark with opening times for the chapel, library building and restaurant on it.

In case guests fancy a change and want to watch a film instead of reading, there are lots of DVDs available to rent.

The reading room can only be accessed using a fob given to people staying over at the library or members, Claire explained.

It is "absolutely huge", the TikToker added, "and it was so great to get work done."

Describing her stay, she said she sat upstairs for the first day and "got quite a lot of work done".

Afterwards, Claire read some of her book and went for some dinner, before enjoying a bath in her large tub.

Her second day started with some breakfast, before proofreading back in the reading room.

It was "a late one", which saw the researcher write 5,000 words.

External view of St. Deiniol's Library

The library is the only one in the UK where you can stay the night. (Image: Llywelyn2000)

To celebrate, Claire had a slice for cake for her dinner, before spending some time in a 24-hour theology room, which offer drinks and shelves full of books that visitors can delve into.

Claire sat and read her book with a gin and tonic "just to wind down for a wee bit after a whole day in the reading room".

Finally, she had another bath, making the most out of her substantial bathroom.

The third day, she said, was another spent in the reading room.

The video maker said: "I'm so happy, because everything came together, and I ended up submitting my thesis. I'm so happy."

Her time at the library was spent reading her book - which she finished during her stay - again, this time with a scone and some tea, in a "nice and quiet" space.