[Review] Fairy Tales exhibition at the British Library ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I cannot recommend this exhibition highly enough.

Ranking = ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (highest score)

I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the exhibition. One of those rare experiences that feels like an exceptional opportunity — beautifully curated, deeply thoughtful and so perfectly delivered.

This was not a typical library exhibition of objects and labels. It was an invitation to step inside a fairy-tale world, where stories came to life and we were welcome to wander, explore and discover at our own pace.

The vast space was transformed with scenic painting, theatrical set pieces and interactive elements, enriched by an extraordinary collection of original manuscripts, books, illustrations, pop-ups and puppets spanning centuries.

The exhibition had real momentum, with a carefully crafted narrative architecture: opening with folk stories around a fireside, leading into the deep dark woods to meet the characters, then to a palace and a far-away land filled with magical creatures, before arriving at a happily-ever-after with an intriguing twist. There was plenty of room for interpretation, imagination and personal discovery.

Each story and theme was explored through multiple mediums and perspectives — from early editions and original manuscripts to sensory experiences, large-scale installations and contemporary reinterpretations.

It had a simple conceptual framework and a visual language accessible to the whole family, while retaining enormous breadth and depth for intellectual discovery.

My personal magic moment came when I saw Lewis Carroll's original manuscript of Alice's Adventures Under Ground. It was my favourite childhood story, suddenly materialised as an actual historical manuscript in front of me.

The whole experience was physically and emotionally more significant than I initially expected. The exhibition had a clear vision and voice — and it landed perfectly with me.

So grateful we got to experience this wonderful exhibition. 📚✨