Radcliffe Camera

The Radcliffe Camera is a functional academic space and is not open for general public walk-ins. To see the breathtaking interior, you must join a guided Bodleian Libraries tour. The 90-minute tour, which includes the Radcliffe Camera, typically runs on Saturdays and Sundays and costs approximately 20 GBP to 30 GBP as of 2026. Smaller seasonal tours, such as after-hours visits, are also available for around 25 GBP. Tickets are released online one month in advance, but most are held for in-person purchase at the Weston Library ticket desk on the day. For those who simply wish to view the exterior, Radcliffe Square is a public space and is free to access 24 hours a day.

Because the Radcliffe Camera is an active study area, strict rules apply to all visitors. Children must be aged 11 or older to join the guided tours, as silence is required to avoid disturbing students. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the reading rooms to protect the privacy of readers and the safety of the collections, though you are welcome to take as many photos as you like of the magnificent exterior. Large bags and backpacks are not permitted inside, and there are limited locker facilities at the nearby Weston Library. If you are not on a tour, the best way to see the building’s circular design is from the tower of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin across the square.

The Radcliffe Camera is located in Radcliffe Square, the heart of historic Oxford. If you are arriving at Oxford Train Station, it is a pleasant 15-minute walk through the city center. For those arriving by bus, several routes stop on the High Street or Broad Street, leaving you with just a five-minute walk to the square. Since the city center is largely pedestrianized and parking is extremely limited, the best way to travel from the outskirts is by using the Park and Ride bus service. Once you reach the square, you will find the building easy to spot, nestled between the Old Bodleian Library, Brasenose College, and All Souls College.