Could an indoor library be your new favourite hideout? At The Rainbow Library, The Ecohouse, Ayres Street, SE1 1ET, it just might be.
With 600+ books and 200 magazines thanks to a generous donation from Stephen Crisp, the library is colour coded and easy to navigate: view the catalogue here. David, Lead Volunteer, says: “It feels like a living space.” And he’s not wrong, you can wander, read, chat, or just relax.
Volunteers like Refayat love it: “I get to do different tasks, talk about issues I have, and talk with fellow volunteers. It’s a space for conversation.” You can join them, tend the grow room, try out our micro nursery, or get creative with the art supplies.
Open Fridays 10am–1pm, excluding holidays and essential maintenance times, the space stays small and welcoming. Private bookings help fund our community work, so everyone benefits.
And just in time for next week’s Time to Talk day, a national moment from MIND, that encourages everyday conversations about mental health.
Talking can feel especially hard for men, where silence is often expected. Programmes like The Assembly, featuring figures such as Gary Lineker and Danny Dyer, show how powerful it can be when men speak openly, listen, and role model honesty. Those moments matter because they give others permission to speak too.
The Rainbow Library supports this in its own way. It offers a quieter, less performative setting where conversations can start naturally, through books, shared tasks, or simply being present.
The library is open on Fridays from 10am to 1pm. We keep the space intentionally small so it stays welcoming. Private bookings outside these hours help fund our wider community work.
Drop by, borrow a book, or just sit awhile. Follow us on Instagram for book picks, teasers, and your chance to share ideas… we have plans, but we want yours. The Rainbow Library grows because the community shapes it.
This weeks Volunteer Selection
Gardening in Colour
Paul Hamlyn Colour Library, 1960s
A classic from the golden age of illustrated gardening books. Gardening in Colour celebrates the power of colour in shaping mood, balance, and seasonal flow in the garden. With rich photography and practical advice, it shows how flowers, foliage, and planting combinations can transform even small spaces. A beautiful reminder of when garden design became visual, accessible, and joyful. This title can be found on Shelf 08, row number 039.
Chosen by our volunteer librarian, David 📚
A go to trio for practical gardeners, these much loved guides break things down simply and clearly, making them ideal for beginners and seasoned growers alike.
🌳 The Tree & Shrub Expert (Find on Shelf 13, Row 048)
A reliable guide to choosing, planting, and caring for trees and shrubs, with straightforward advice that helps gardens thrive long term.
🌱 The Greenhouse Expert (Find on Shelf 13, Row 049)
From sowing seeds to growing under cover, this book explains how to get the best from a greenhouse, whatever the size.
🍃 The Lawn Expert (Find on Shelf 13, Row 050)
A no nonsense approach to creating and maintaining a healthy lawn, covering common problems and easy fixes.
Chosen by Refayat 🌼
With thanks to our funders, who support our work with marginalised and underrepresented people:
Special thanks to Stephen Crisp for donating this wonderful collection of books and magazines.
Please note: Bankside Open Spaces Trust is not responsible for the management of external links and links on this page are not monetised.