Bodleian Library

The world-famous Bodleian Libraries is a must-see cultural destination in the heart of Oxford.

The Bodleian Library was founded by Sir Thomas Bodley and officially opened in 1602. Since then the Bodleian Libraries has grown to be the largest academic library system in the UK. In its reading rooms generations of famous scholars have studied through the ages, amongst them monarchs, Nobel Prize winners, British Prime Ministers and writers including Oscar Wilde, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

At the site, you can explore historic spaces that you might recognise from popular films and TV series such as Harry Potter and A Discovery of Witches. It offers free, inspiring exhibitions featuring the libraries’ rich collections, two unique gift shops and a lovely café. It also hosts a wide variety of events and courses, you can find their programme here.

The Library is open all year round, except at Christmas, New Year and Easter, when they close on certain days. Please visit Tours of the Bodleian libraries for updated opening times and bookings.

The Weston Library is the home of the Bodleian Libraries special collections, it is also a busy working library that houses several reading rooms, a research centre, a conservation studio and much more.

Admission and tickets

Entry to Divinity School is £2.50 per person. Please book a ticket online for your 15 minute time slot to guarantee entry.

For further information, including tour times and prices for groups, please visit visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/plan-your-visit

Please note: access to the reading rooms is via several flights of stairs only.  Due to restrictions within the reading rooms, they are unfortunately unable to welcome children under the age of 11 on the guided tours.