New Magical Exhibition at the British Library – Fairy Tales
Pack your magic beans and take your family for a magical adventure into the world of fairy tales. Enjoy interactive installations and learn about the origins of your favourite fairy tales and characters. Fairy Tales exhibition at the British Library is now open.
@urbanadventurerldn [BLOG POST IN BIO] 𝔉𝔞𝔦𝔯𝔶 𝔗𝔞𝔩𝔢𝔰 exhibition at @British Library 🏰✨ Pack your magic beans and take your family for a magical adventure 🫘✨ Fairy Tales is an enjoyable exhibition for both kids and adults. Adults can explore the origins of the tales and characters, see rare books, manuscripts and puppets while little ones can embark on a truly magical journey, enjoy walk-though installations and lots of interactive elements 🏰🐉🧞♂️👑 📍 Where British Library | 96 Euston Rd., London NW1 2DB 🗓️ When 27th March – 23rd August 2026 #fairytales #halftermfamilydayoutt #familyadventure #kidsadventure
Fairy Tales – Celebrating Heroes, Villains and Fantastical Creatures
Photo: Urban Adventurer
British Museum’s new major exhibition, Fairy Tales opened on the 27th March and is celebrating heroes, villains and fantastical creatures from fairy tales around the globe.
Fairy Tales is an enjoyable exhibition for both kids and adults. Adults can explore the origins of the tales and characters, see rare books, manuscripts and puppets while little ones can embark on a truly magical journey, enjoy walk-though installations and lots of interactive elements.
Once upon a time…
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Your journey to the Fairy Tale’ universe starts at a fireplace in a cosy cottage house.
Sit down by the fire and discover the origins of fairy tales, how the stories have changed over time and why storytelling is important everywhere in the world.
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In the next room, kids can direct and perform their own theatre play at an oversized puppet theatre while adults can explore a toy theatre, an edition of Household Tales by the Grimm brothers and even an original hand-written letter from Jacob Grimm to his publisher complaining about how long it took for his book about myths to be printed. The letter was written on 25th January 1844.
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Leaving the cottage house and theatre behind, you’ll be entering the deep dark woods.
As you pass the oversized books of The Snow Queen, Hansel and Gretel, Vasilisa the Beautiful and The Swineherd, the dark wood reveals the iconic gingerbread house form Hansel and Gretel.
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Feel free to enter and explore what’s inside before heading to the wardrobe at the corner where little ones can dress-up like their favourite fairy tale character.
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You’ll also find a beautiful Rapunzel pop-up book and learn more about a wicked witch that comes from a story called Jorinda and Joringel and see an original artwork of the witch from the Grimm brothers’ Household Tales.
Your next stop is a royal castle.
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Here you’ll find most different form of magic from magic spells to fantastical objects to curses.
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Cinderella’s iconic glass slipper is also on display along with gorgeous pop-up books, reproductions of Disney sketches and concept artworks from Cinderella and an activity table where kids can build their own fairy castle.
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Moving forward, you’ll find a table where you can smell magical potions and a magic mirror. Wave and watch the mirror come alive.
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Touch the Genie’s magic lamp and make a wish before marvelling at the original manuscript of Alice’s Adventures Under Ground by Lewis Carroll and puppets of Kai and Gerda from the Little Angel Theatre’s production, The Snow Queen.
Now, it’s time to discover the ‘far far away land’ and all the magical creatures that inhabit fairy tales.
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You can sit with the Three Bears at an interactive table, encounter with dragons, mermaids, trolls and selkies and cross the interactive troll bridge before finally relaxing in a cosy armchair under a tall tree and re-read your favourite fairy tales.
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Fairy Tales exhibition explores iconic children’s stories in a completely new perspective. Rather than just treating them as stories for children, the exhibition reveals the power of the stories’ ever-changing narratives.
During the exhibition period a number of free events and workshops are available to be booked.
Shop
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The exhibition shop is just as magical as the exhibition itself.
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Make sure you allow some time to explore because there are so many beautiful items are available, including books, toys, art & crafts and gifts.
Practical Info
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Address
British Library | 96 Euston Rd., London NW1 2DB
Opening Times
27th March – 23rd August 2026
Mon: 9:30am – 6pm
Tue: 9:30am – 8pm
Wed – Fri: 9:30am – 6pm
Sat: 9:30am – 5pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm
Tickets
Tickets can be booked on the British Library’s official website
Adult and child tickets are the same price:
Peak: £13.50
Off-peak: £11.50
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