The London Library – 1,500,000 books on the shelves all of which can be borrowed, with a unique cataloguing system (who else would have categories just for walking sticks and, er, flagellation) and a wonderful atmosphere of its own. www.londonlibrary.co.uk

The National Archives – with ten million documents on all aspects of British and indeed world history from the 11th century to the present day with superb customer service.  www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

The British Library – despite overcrowding, erratic service and high catering prices, still a magnificent place to do research. www.bl.uk

The Imperial War Museum – the attractive reading room is housed in the dome of the former Bedlam Hospital. It is the best place for military diaries and letters, private papers and thousands of books on warfare since 1914. www.iwm.org.uk

It is years since I’ve been, but I remember the Working Class Movement Library in Salford as being the best place ever to do research. It was even open on a Sunday and the archivist brought me a cup of tea to my desk – two unique services! (I bet neither would happen today).