Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne
Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne, Independent subscription library in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
The Literary and Philosophical Society is an independent subscription library housed in a neoclassical building with over 200,000 books and 20,000 recordings spread across multiple rooms. The collection includes materials in various languages and offers both lending services and reference materials for different types of visitors.
It began in 1793 as a conversation club and found its home in a neoclassical building designed by John Green on Westgate Road in 1825. This move allowed the organization to grow from a small gathering into a major cultural institution for the city.
The library holds collections in multiple languages and serves as a gathering place where conversations about ideas have continued for generations. Walking through its rooms, you can sense how this place has always brought thinking people together.
The building is open six days a week and offers lending services to members while providing free access to reference materials for all visitors. The rooms are arranged in a way that makes it easy to browse different collections at your own pace.
Joseph Swan conducted the first public demonstration of electric light bulbs here, making it the first building to be illuminated this way. This technical achievement links the place to the birth of modern lighting in an unexpected way.
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Inception: 1793
Website: https://litandphil.org.uk
GPS coordinates: 54.96930,-1.61394
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40
Newcastle upon Tyne and its neighbor Gateshead form a lively urban area in the northeast of England, where industrial history meets contemporary creation. The city retains traces of its medieval past with Castle Keep, a 12th-century fortress, while Grey's Monument reflects 19th-century political...
Tup Tup Palace
130 m
Newcastle Town Hall
175 m
St John the Baptist Church, Newcastle upon Tyne
134 m
Westgate House, Newcastle upon Tyne
76 m
Waters Tomb About 2 Metres South Of Church Of St John The Baptist
126 m
George Stephenson Memorial
77 m
Statue of Queen Victoria
183 m
Hodgson Tomb About 15 Metres East Of Church Of St John The Baptist
123 m
Royal Station Hotel
88 m
The County Hotel
184 m
Bolbec Hall
20 m
St Nicholas' Buildings
140 m
Irving House
36 m
Neville Hall And Wood Memorial Hall
23 m
Clavering House
154 m
Union Club
93 m
Northern Assurance Buildings
131 m
33, Groat Market
176 m
35 And 37, Groat Market
180 m
Sun Insurance Buildings
48 m
Barclay's Bank And Collingwood Buildings
76 m
General Post Office And Area Balustrade
124 m
Former Hertz Rent A Car Building
93 m
Gate Pier Of The Old Grammar School
106 m
Lloyds Bank
88 m
Friar House
174 m
Accommodation Arch And Railway Viaduct Between High Level Bridge, Castle Garth And Central Station
171 m
7, Collingwood Street
113 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes