You can now explore the interior of Gladstone’s Library from the comfort of your own home.
Photos and videos of the library’s famous Reading Rooms are scattered across the internet, but thanks to Reades Estate & Letting Agents in Hawarden, the Grade 1 listed building can be seen in an entirely new way.
Using high-resolution image capture technology, they built a 3D virtual tour of the Victorian Gothic building, including the restaurant, chapel and sections of the upper floor.
This video introduction offers a taster of the tour.
Jonathan Reade of Reades said: “Rather than just a simple video, the Virtual Viewing is actually a laser-measured, interactive walk-through and offers viewers the freedom to discover this truly magnificent building in stunning 4K quality.”
While there is nothing quite like being at Gladstone’s, with its unique atmosphere and architecture, this virtual tour captures a unique moment in the library’s history.
The images were captured shortly before Gladstone’s reopened after an 18-month closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It therefore offers a very unusual view of an empty library before the return of Readers, residential guests and diners.
Gladstone’s, like all libraries, undergoes a constant process of change as the building is cared for, redecorated and made more accessible, and as the collections grow and are re-ordered.
Thus, these images also record a particular moment in time for the institution.
Peter Francis, Director of Gladstone’s Library, said: “We are very grateful for Jonathan Reade’s kind offer. The business is a close neighbour of the library, and their donation of time and expertise represents the community spirit that makes Hawarden such a supportive place.”
The tour, which you can access through the library website, allows virtual visitors to click through the corridors, which are captured in such fine detail that it’s possible at certain points to read individual book titles.
As an added bonus, it allows guests to orientate themselves around the building before arrival.
They can also view the entire building in one go, where it can be moved like a computer-generated doll house.
