Artwork for Secret Maps exhibition. Navy background with lots of different maps from history, and images of a flight tracker, an Enigma Machine, Minecraft’s Uncensored Library, D-Day, and a war room. Some of these are obscured by shadows or pixellation.

Secret Maps

British Library, London

Who shapes your world? Who decides what you see? What hides behind grid lines?

24 October 2025 – 18 January 2026

About Secret Maps

Step into the shadows at Secret Maps, a major new exhibition revealing the stories hidden in some of history’s most mysterious maps.

Maps have always been more than just tools for navigation – in the hand of governments, groups and individuals, maps create and control knowledge. In Secret Maps, we trace the levels of power, coercion and secrecy that lie behind maps from the 14th century to the present day, and uncover the invisible forces that draw and distort the world around us.

Some of the maps on display reveal hidden landscapes, offering insight into places long forgotten or erased from official histories. Others are purposefully deceptive, designed to protect treasures, mask strategic locations, or reshape the way we see the world. This exhibition uncovers each of their individual secrets, revealing their hidden purposes and power.

Discover the maps you were never meant to see.

With thanks to Wayland Games, Tony & Maureen Wheeler, Kathryn Uhde, Sir Trevor & Lady Susan Chinn, The Indigo Trust and Richard H Brown.

More information

Exhibition opening hours

Secret Maps is open:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday  09.30  –  18.00

Tuesday  09.30  –  20.00

Saturday  09.30  –  17.00

Sunday  11.00  –  17.00

Concessions

British Library Members go free with a guest. Click book now, and then login to your box office account to book your free tickets. Please bring your Membership card with you when you visit. Find out more about becoming a British Library Member. 

Other concessions are available, including for under 25s, students, those with a disability, those registered unemployed, and those on Universal or Pension Credit. Please see the ticket options for more details and select the ticket type you require. We also offer discounts for groups of 10+, and these will automatically discount once added to your basket. 

ICOM, NMDC and other reciprocal free entry scheme organisation cards are accepted during off-peak hours for free entry into this exhibition up until 21 December 2025.

Universal or Pension Credit tickets

You can visit Secret Maps for £3 if you are in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit. You can select this ticket type when you book.

You will need to present proof of either your (PIP) Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Child Tax Credits (CTC), Working Tax Credits (WTC), Income Support, Application registration card (ARC) on arrival.

Peak and off-peak times

Off-peak prices apply on weekdays and quieter times. Peak pricing is in effect on Saturdays and the final four weeks of the exhibition (from 21 December 2025). Check the calendar during booking to see the rate for your chosen date.

Accessibility and facilities

There is step-free access to Secret Maps. Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge, subject to availability. Please ask a member of staff on arrival. 

We welcome guide dogs and assistance dogs. Dog bowls are available at the Information Desk, Reading Rooms and all cafés.

There are large-print and Braille guides available at the entrance to the exhibition.

There is a Visual Story for Secret Maps available as a PDF download.

A cloakroom and digital lockers are available for visitors who do not wish to take bags and coats into the exhibition. These are free to use and located on the Lower Ground Floor. 

You will find accessible toilets on all floors and baby changing facilities on the Lower Ground Floor, Upper Ground Floor and Floor 1. 

Learn more about your visit, accessibility, our facilities and cafés.  

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