Surrounded by an ornate skylight and volumes of antique literature, on Tuesday I wondered why I had never been in the Portico Library before.
I was enjoying my book, racing through the pages faster than usual. My cafetiere was full of delicious coffee for only £3 — a city centre bargain — and there was some quiet chatter.
An American, visiting the UK for the baseball games in London, was catching up with a softly-spoken Mancunian friend. Another gent was flicking through the day’s copy of the New York Times. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features Elsewhere, students were finishing their theses, and tourists were quietly looking over the exhibition on Samuel Pepys.
All the while, one could feel the history and importance of the Portico, which was founded by 400 members in 1806. My visit was, in many ways, bliss.
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