Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest and most celebrated libraries in Europe, serving as a primary research institution for the University of Oxford. This historic complex comprises several buildings, including the medieval Old Bodleian, the iconic circular Radcliffe Camera, and the modern Weston Library. It holds over thirteen million printed items, making it the second largest library in the United Kingdom. Visitors are often captivated by the intricate Gothic architecture of the Divinity School and the scholarly atmosphere of the Duke Humfrey’s Library, which famously inspired the set designs for the Harry Potter films.

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Alles über Bodleian Library

Was Sie erwartet

The library is centrally located on Broad Street and welcomes the public through various access levels. While the Weston Library offers free exhibitions and a café, the historic reading rooms and the Radcliffe Camera can only be accessed through guided tours. Prices for these tours generally range from 8 GBP for a 30-minute introduction to around 22 GBP for an in-depth 90-minute experience. Standard opening hours for visitors are typically 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays, and 11:00 to 16:00 on Sundays.

Warum diese Tour buchen

As a working academic institution, silence is respected, and many areas have strict entry requirements. Guided tours are the only way to see the interior of the Old Library and the Radcliffe Camera; these often sell out weeks in advance. A small number of tickets are released online one month before the date, but many are held for in-person purchase at the Weston Library on the day. Note that children under the age of 11 are not permitted on the guided library tours due to the nature of the working spaces and steep, historic staircases.

Die richtige Tour auswählen

Oxford is a very walkable city, and the library is situated in the heart of the historic center. If you are arriving from outside the city, the Oxford Train Station is about a 15-minute walk away. For those driving, it is highly recommended to use the city’s Park and Ride services, as parking in the city center is extremely limited and expensive. Several local bus routes stop on the nearby High Street or Broad Street, placing you just steps from the Weston Library entrance where the ticket desk is located.

Wissenswertes vor der Abreise

To secure a tour ticket on the day, it is essential to arrive at the Weston Library ticket desk as soon as it opens, typically at 09:00. During the peak summer months of July and August, tickets for popular time slots often sell out before noon. Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends, offering a more relaxed atmosphere for viewing the free exhibitions. If you prefer to avoid the largest crowds, consider visiting during the university’s quiet periods in the winter or early spring.

Bodleian Library