The Bodleian Libraries

Über

The Bodleian Libraries has been the academic heart of Oxford for 600 years. The central library for the University of Oxford, the Bodleian Libraries is home to over 13 million items, including the Magna Carta, Shakespeare’s first folio and the Gutenberg bible.

In the Bodleian’s 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. The ‘Bod’ is still a working library, with thousands of readers studying in the reading rooms every year.

A popular location for filming, the Bodleian has featured in some of the most well-known films of recent years. These include Harry Potter, The Favourite, Mary Queen of Scots and Saltburn.

Guided tours

The best way to experience both the Bodleian and Oxford, is on guided tours with our fantastic guides. Delivered daily, we offer a comprehensive tours programme where visitors can learn about the incredible history of our medieval library and the relationship between the University and city of Oxford. Guided tours of the library include the Old Bodleian and the iconic Radcliffe Camera.

Weston Library

The Weston Library is a short walk away from the Old Bodleian Library and has a café and shop, and is where all onsite tickets for the guided tours can be purchased. The Weston Library is also home to fantastic free exhibitions, putting some of our most special treasures on display.