The British Library is the national archive. The statue of Isaac Newton measuring the immensity of the universe symbolizes the library’s ambitious purpose: To preserve the record of man’s endless search for knowledge. This massive building fills 180 miles of shelving with over 12 million books.

For sightseers, only one room matters: the Treasures Room. It showcases early gospels on papyrus, the first complete New Testament—written in Greek from the fourth century, illuminated manuscripts with pages lovingly illustrated by monks—creating some of the finest art of the Middle Ages, and the Gutenberg Bible from 1455—printed with revolutionary movable type. The Magna Carta, from 1215, documents the first steps toward government by people rather than kings…and the king was forced to hang his seal on it.

Cases are dedicated to the titans of English literature, showing, for instance, early editions of Shakespeare’s plays. You’ll see precious musical manuscripts: a hand-written score of Handel’s Messiah, a Beethoven work tracing his stormy creative process, and handwritten Beatles lyrics. And you can ponder the evolution of maps. In 1350 this view came with Jerusalem at the center of the world. By 1550, with this, you could plan your next trip to England.