(AGENPARL) – Thu 13 November 2025 Our major new exhibition is open now
                                                                                        
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Secret Maps | Explore our new exhibition
Secret Maps
Until 18 January 2026
Book now | Members go free
**** ‘A fascinating insight into war and politics’ The Times
**** ‘A head-spinning amount of stuff to unpack in this exhibition’ Time Out
Discover the hidden purposes and power in some of history’s most mysterious maps.
Some maps reveal landscapes and places that time has forgotten, while others were crafted to mislead, protect secrets, or assert power. Secret Maps explores the intentions, ingenuity, and influence behind many maps, showing how these extraordinary objects shaped – and sometimes distorted – our view of the world.
The exhibition is supported by Wayland Games [https://britishlibraryemails.bl.uk/c/AQiz6A8Qr_uDARjpn7sFIJjcrR4owNStDo6-FDRcti06oZ0dmU9kuoJE9LvVLU7aQGulkd5fzgvt and Tony & Maureen Wheeler.
Book tickets > https://britishlibraryemails.bl.uk/c/AQiz6A8Qr_uDARjpn7sFIPympx4owNStDv8-eUQGLI7rD2dXz5IfKZz8n8VJxeywGsxFZ3pdDwrd
Must-see items
Among an incredible collection of maps, manuscripts, atlases and historical artefacts, do not miss:
A rare M4 naval Enigma machine, used by the German navy in World War II to encrypt U-boat communications. Cracking its code gave Allied forces vital insight, helping locate submarines and secure the success of D-Day.
On loan from GCHQ.
John Rotz’s lavish mid-16th-century sea atlas, created after he fled France to serve Henry VIII, offered rare French naval intelligence and early North American exploration. After Henry’s death, Rotz switched allegiance, returning to France to support the Auld Alliance against England.
A first edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, featuring the novel’s iconic map where ‘X’ marks the spot. Blending fiction with maritime lore, it helped shape the enduring cultural image of buried pirate treasure.
Explore the exhibition > https://britishlibraryemails.bl.uk/c/AQiz6A8Qr_uDARjpn7sFIJncrR4owNStDnCxZPmVOyEi8qeRJ8sZEsXIYVuDc-g3QiDUCTPfeb7j
Secret Maps events
Join us for thought-provoking evenings exploring the hidden stories behind maps. In The Lie of the Land: Who Controls the Map, uncover how maps have been used to assert power, shape perception, and influence our understanding of the world. In Mapping the Mysterious, delve into the curious and unexplained, exploring how maps capture hidden histories, myths, and phenomena beyond the edges of familiar charts.
Explore the programme > https://britishlibraryemails.bl.uk/c/AQiz6A8Qr_uDARjpn7sFIJrcrR4owNStDu_EnCCY2-iqmJ-ASEaXhf818ajECGTlNYjXrjHZixNu
Making your visit accessible
Explore the exhibition with a free D/deaf and hard-of-hearing friendly curator-led tour, including live speech-to-text and a BSL interpreter. You can also book a free companion ticket and guide and assistance dogs are welcome. Additionally, large print and braille guides are always available from the exhibition desk upon arrival.
Book now > https://britishlibraryemails.bl.uk/c/AQiz6A8Qr_uDARjpn7sFIJvcrR4owNStDrttVj3JOmQik0Vsg2vguOd5PqkcsjdepkA9Lg3ABlmJ
Unlock free exhibitions all year
As a Member, you can enjoy complimentary access to every exhibition, as often as you wish. Reserve your free tickets today and share the experience by bringing a guest at no extra cost.
Find out more > https://britishlibraryemails.bl.uk/c/AQiz6A8Qr_uDARjpn7sFIIOnpx4owNStDqNMvpEGVzx5aDUJmVh2JUd2jE-C-H_594yT7BY6_1Aw
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Image credit: ‘Must-see items’ images Photography by Justine Trickett