Thurrock Libraries: Every Branch, Opening Hours, Joining and Bus Pass Help
Address, phone number and opening hours for each of the eight Thurrock libraries, plus how to join for free and what is on offer.
Thurrock Council runs eight libraries, in Grays (two), Chadwell St Mary, Corringham, East Tilbury, Purfleet, Aveley and South Ockendon. Membership is free and your card works across all Thurrock libraries. Hours vary by branch and some sessions are self-service only, so check the branch page before you travel.
Thurrock Libraries are run by Thurrock Council, and the council's find a library page lists eight branches. Hours below are as published on each branch page at the time of writing (October 2026). Several branches have self-service-only sessions or lunchtime closures, so check the branch page before you travel.
Which libraries are in Thurrock, and where are they?
| Library | Town | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grays Central Library | Grays | Thameside Complex, Orsett Road, RM17 5DX | 01375 413 976 |
| Blackshots Library | Grays | Blackshots Lane, RM16 2JU | 01375 373 244 |
| Chadwell Library | Chadwell St Mary | Brentwood Road, RM16 4JP | 01375 842 511 |
| Corringham Library | Corringham | St Johns Way, SS17 7LJ | 01375 678 534 |
| East Tilbury Library and Hub | East Tilbury | Princess Avenue, RM18 8ST | 01375 652 688 |
| Purfleet-on-Thames Library and Hub | Purfleet | River Court, Centurion Way, RM19 1ZY | see branch page |
| Aveley Library and Hub | Aveley | Recreation Ground, High Street, RM15 4BX | 01708 865 667 |
| Belhus Library and South Ockendon Centre | South Ockendon | Derry Avenue, RM15 5DX | 01708 851 212 |
What are the opening hours?
Grays Central Library: Monday and Thursday 9am to 7pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm; closed Sunday. The Grays page lists computers, Wi-Fi, study spaces, e-books and local history collections, with a pay-and-display car park at the rear on Cromwell Road. It sits in the same building as the Thurrock Museum and Thameside Theatre.
Belhus Library and South Ockendon Centre: Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm, closed Sunday.
Corringham Library: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 5pm; Wednesday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm (self-service only); Saturday 10am to 1pm; closed Sunday.
Chadwell Library: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; Saturday 10am to 1pm; closed Wednesday and Sunday.
Blackshots Library: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; closed Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. For Saturday opening, see the branch page.
East Tilbury Library and Hub: Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 5pm, Wednesday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm; closed Monday, Friday and Sunday.
Aveley Library and Hub: Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; Monday and Wednesday 10am to 5pm and Friday 10am to 4pm, self-service only; closed Saturday and Sunday.
Purfleet-on-Thames Library and Hub: a self-service library in Purfleet Community Hub, with limited sessions during the week. Because hours there are short and change, use the Purfleet branch page for the current times.
How do I join?
The council's joining page says membership is free and you do not need to show proof of who you are. You can join online or in person; if you join online, you collect your physical card at a library visit. Under-16s should bring a parent or carer the first time. Your card works across all Thurrock libraries, Essex County Council libraries and participating libraries in The Libraries Consortium. There are free Memory Library and Access cards for people living with dementia or with mobility or visual impairments. The council says it no longer sends letters, so keep your email, phone and contact details up to date.
Can the library help with a bus pass?
Yes. The council says you can apply for the national concessionary bus pass at any Thurrock library in opening hours. See our bus guide.
Is Grays library moving?
The council ran a consultation (10 January to 31 March 2024) on relocating Grays Central Library and Thurrock Museum to the Town Hall at the end of Grays High Street. Its consultation page says the survey has closed and that the outline proposal does not include a reduction in services. The Grays library page itself mentions no closure or move, so use the address above until the council announces a change.
What about post offices?
Use the Post Office's website to find your nearest branch.
Frequently asked questions
- Where are the libraries in Thurrock?
- There are eight: Grays Central, Blackshots (Grays), Chadwell, Corringham, East Tilbury, Purfleet-on-Thames, Aveley, and Belhus in South Ockendon. The council's find a library page lists each address.
- What are the opening hours of Grays Central Library?
- Monday and Thursday 9am to 7pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm; closed Sunday.
- How do I join Thurrock libraries?
- Membership is free and you do not need to show proof of who you are. You can join online or in person, and under-16s should bring a parent or carer the first time.
- Can I get a bus pass at a Thurrock library?
- Yes, the council says you can apply for the national concessionary bus pass at any Thurrock library in opening hours.
- Is Corringham Library open on a Wednesday?
- Corringham is open on Wednesday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, but that day is self-service only. It is closed on Sunday.
- Is Grays Central Library moving?
- The council ran a consultation in 2024 on moving it and Thurrock Museum to the Town Hall, but the Grays library page mentions no closure or move. Use the current address until the council announces a change.
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