Secret Maps

Explore our new exhibition

Secret Maps

Until 18 January 2026

Book now | Members go free

Open now, Secret Maps reveals the stories hidden in some of history’s most mysterious maps.

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.

The exhibition is supported by Wayland Games and Tony & Maureen Wheeler.

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There is planned strike action taking place at our St Pancras site between Monday 27 October and Sunday 9 November. While we plan to keep our exhibitions open as usual, there may be short notice disruption. We will contact bookers with as much notice as possible if their booked slot is impacted. For service updates during this period, please check our website and social media channels.

Secret Maps events

We have an inspiring programme of events to accompany the exhibition, exploring the unseen, the untold, and the uncharted. In Missing from the Map: Gender, Race and Cartography, uncover how power, identity and representation have shaped the maps we inherit — and the ones we create. Then, join theatre-maker Seth Kriebel for The Map and the Echo, exploring how sound, memory and place intertwine in a captivating evening of conversation and performance.

Explore the programme

Secret Maps: How they Conceal and Reveal the World

Our exhibition book, Secret Maps: How they Conceal and Reveal the World, explores six centuries of mapping and secrecy. From imperial intrigues and state secrecy to societal mysteries and modern privacy, it combines the thrill of discovery with the intrigue of hidden worlds, offering an essential story of how secrets and maps intersect in Western culture.

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Relaxed Hours

Join us for relaxed hours of Secret Maps on Sunday 23 November, when you will be able to enjoy the gallery in a calm environment with reduced capacity.

These times are particularly suitable for neurodiverse people and those with other sensory needs.

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See it for free with Membership

Unlock free entry for you and a friend to all our exhibitions, including Secret Maps, with British Library membership. Plus get access to our exclusive Members' Room with a private café bar, along with discounts on our events and in our shop.

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