Museum
Pepys Library
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The Pepys Library at Magdalene College is a time capsule of 17th-century intellectual life. It contains Samuel Pepys's famous diary, written in shorthand, along with his extensive collection of books, manuscripts, and prints. The library is housed in a beautiful 17th-century building, and visitors can see the original bookcases and the diary itself on display. The collection reflects Pepys's wide-ranging interests, from naval history to music and science.
Don't miss
- Samuel Pepys's original diary manuscripts, including the Great Fire of London entry
- Pepys's personal book collection arranged by size, as he specified
- Rare items such as a 15th-century manuscript of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Pepys Library
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inFormer Student’s Cambridge Colleges: An Outdoor Audio Tour4★ · 55 travelers1–2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$9 per personSee dates →
Most bookedCambridge University Tour by Alumni™ with optional King's Chapel4.9★ · 2,480 travelers2–3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$34 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate Self-Guided Dinky Door Hunt in Cambridge4.6★ · 111 travelers2–3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$12 per personSee dates →More attractions in Cambridge
