Bodleian Library

What an amazing experience! A must see in Oxford. If you want a piece of history and you like Harry Potter, you must not miss this one. P.S You HAVE to get tickets really early in the morning. They sell out super fast online and there is only a few available on the day before they open. Some people queue from 8 am to get tickets so bear that in mind!!

If you're in Oxford and a fan of libraries or old historic buildings I highly recommend the guided tour of the Bodleian Library and Divinity School. Went on the 60-minute guided tour and it was great. Had the right joy of having Madeliene as our guide and she was lovely. Never have I heard the history of libraries as enthusiastic told as from her. It's recommended to book ahead of time. We went on a random weekday in November and there were plenty of tickets available. Seating is limited, but it is possible to sit down during parts of the tour. Do mind that a fair few stairs are a part of the tour.

Lovely trip to the local library, nice gift shop and Stonework. Can get very busy on end weekend and tours avaliable too. Best to conmute via bus or taxi, roads are pretty good to drive on too but lack of parking. Recommended a visit and take a camera

We did the 30 minute tour of the Divinity School and Duke Humphrey’s Library. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and gave an excellent tour to our group. We learned a lot in our 30 minutes. The staff were well organized, with badges and ear sets for the tour so that the guide did not need to talk loudly - which makes sense for a library. Standing among such old books is such an amazing opportunity for a book lover like me. I wish we could have explored more for the library during the visit, but 30 minutes was a good length and enough time to get a view of what the Old library looks like and some of its history.

The Duke Humphrey Library was absolutely stunning and magical! It was one of a kind, and what a beauty to see the books withstanding years of changes! I also visited the Divinity School, Convocation House and Chancellor’s Court. Such an eye-opening experience and shoutout to the experienced guide!

I could not find a book about Nicholas Flamel here, just kidding. The entire library is amazing and for a true Harry Potter fan it feels like stepping into the films. The building is breathtaking and full of history. They are strict about time slots so plan ahead. Special thanks to the kind ladies at the front desk who were very helpful and made the visit even better.

The Bodleian Old Library is, hands down, the most quintessential Oxford library experience. It’s absolutely stunning—historical and atmospheric. Alongside the Radcliffe Camera, it’s one of the most beautiful places to study in Oxford. That said, depending on the reading room it's also not the most comfortable or practical space. ⸻ Duke Humfrey’s Library - 4/5 This is easily the prettiest part of the entire Bodleian Old Library. However, it’s important to know that the rules here are quite strict: • You can’t bring in bags, coats, or even bottled water. • You’ll need to store everything in the lockers on the bottom floor of the library before entering. For anyone wondering (since this isn’t listed anywhere online): you do get your £1 coin back after using the locker. It’s refundable, and you can reuse it as many times as you want throughout the day, which is a relief. The space itself isn’t the most ergonomic or comfortable—little to no adjustable chairs or desks—but the atmosphere makes up for it. It’s an incredible place to spend a few hours working or reading. ⸻ Lower Reading Room - 2/5 The lower reading room is a decent working space. It’s quieter and a bit more private than the upper floor, though not as pretty. A few ergonomic chairs are scattered around, and they’re usually available. One downside: the desks are low, and it’s hard to cross your legs under them because of the built-in structure. It’s not ideal. Both the upper and lower reading rooms are laid out in a U-shape (horseshoe), with lots of seating on both ends, so it’s worth walking around to find a good spot. ⸻ Upper Reading Room - 5/5 This is arguably the most beautiful working space in the Old Library. It’s large, full of natural light, and has stunning high-up views from its big windows. The atmosphere feels much more spacious than the Lower Reading Room. It’s also surprisingly warm and comfortable, even on cold rainy days. There are a few ergonomic chairs available here too, and they’re not in high demand. Overall, it’s one of the nicest places to work for long periods. ⸻ Gladstone Link - 1/5 The Gladstone Link is, in my opinion, the worst part of the Library. It connects the Old Library with the Radcliffe Camera, and while it’s useful for quick reference or accessing the stacks, it’s simply not a pleasant place to work. The lower level feels like a bunker—windowless, cold, and dim. The upper level is slightly better, but the see-through floor makes it disorienting and uncomfortable being able to see the stacks and people below you. The whole Gladstone Link fine for quick research or grabbing books, but not for actual sitting and studying. ⸻ Final Thoughts If you want to feel Oxford, the Bodleian Old Library—especially Duke Humfrey’s and the Upper Reading Room—is unbeatable. The atmosphere is incredible and deeply inspiring. But it’s also a reminder that this is a historic library, not a modern study lounge: beautiful, yes, but not always built for comfort.

We were able to purchase tickets on the day for the 30 minute tour of the Divinity School and Duke Humphrey's library. The tour was very informative! It did involve walking up a long set of stairs, so may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. To ensure we weren't disturbing those using the library, we listened to our tour guide speak through individual head sets.

What an amazing experience! We had a tour of the Bodleian Libraries, and it was by far the highlight of our trip to Oxford. The rich history of the library was captivating, and the stunning architecture of the buildings was not to miss. Natasha, our tour guide, was an absolute gem! She guided us through the majestic halls and took us behind the scenes, explaining the lavish history along the way, always with a warm smile. Her enthusiasm for the library was palpable, and her extensive knowledge made the tour even more fascinating. One of the highlights was seeing the Duke Humfrey's library. Such a beautiful and historic building with crests of the University of Oxford covering the ceiling, and Kings, Queens, and Bishops along the aisles. The Radcliffe Camera and The Divinity Schools were not to miss as well. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Oxford.

The Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford, and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, it is located right in the heart of Oxford. With over 12 million items, it is the second-largest library in Britain after the British Library. The structure and architecture is gorgeous. Generations of famous scholars have studied in its reading rooms, among them five kings, 40 Nobel Prize winners and 26 prime ministers. It was founded in 1602.

My husband and I did the 1 hour tour. We went in a grand total of 3 rooms. We spent most of the time sitting in the divinity school talking about what movies were filmed in that hall. You are allowed to take pictures here if you desire. I got the sense that the guide was trying to extend the time there because some of the other groups were in the other rooms and they were having trouble staggering things. They had a wedding that evening so they had a lot of tours back to back. I feel like its a little mislead when they say "tour" of the library. There are some books lining the walls in the hall leading to the front desk but clearly the best part is past the front desk. They take you up to the front desk and you watch people check-in which is somewhat entertaining. Everyone had to put their belongings in clear plastic bags that were inspected by the guard. More people than you would expect didn't get the memo and tried to bring a backpack but were turned away. They try to make you feel better by telling you anyone is allowed to do research there as long as you fill out an application stating why in advance. Across the street they have a rotating special exhibit. At that time the theme is women/suffragettes. I saw a clip of Rick Steves visiting an exhibition there and they had one of the copies of the magna carta on display. We asked at the info desk if they had it on display and they said no. Just fyi to spare you the disappointment if you also are looking for the Magna Carta is part of their permanent collection but was only on display as part of a special exhibit.

Beautiful, well worth the visit and not too bad at £6 for a 30 minute tour-guide. You'll learn about and see the library as well as the divinity room with a bit of UK history. No pictures allowed in the library, but you can buy a postcard in the gift shop which by the way has a a playful, unique selection!

The amount of books here is amazing! Get a tour guide to tell you the ins and outs of this place

I'm a little floored by the wild inaccuracies people glean from the various guided tours (some of which are in the reviews below). This review is as a tourist (not as a scholar, which I give 6 stars on the 5-star scale). Usually, the library has a little case with something interesting (like children's books from the 1700's) in the entrance, and you can take a tour, which will vary in quality depending on the guide. If you are uninterested in history or hearing about books, it probably is really boring. Personally, I squeed like a demented thing the first time I entered the courtyard. But then, I do like books, and I care deeply about silly things like the development of typefaces and whether Shakespeare really spelled his name one consistent way and where Chaucer preferred to buy his quills. The library architecture is very varied--from 20th century sleek design all the way back to Duke Humphrey's Library, which will be recognizable from the Harry Potter films. And there are many variations in between. So, really worth seeing if you like that sort of thing. If you don't... maybe try the jail and castle and stuff by the mall.

We breezed through here on a quick guided tour so I didn't get to spend as much time as I would've liked but what I saw was beautiful and I did see a few of the filming locations from Harry Potter here... so that was neat. I honestly which I could say more buuuuuttttt - the tour guide was pants on fire to get us to the next place and get us back to our bus. On my next time - I plan to come unaccompanied so I can really try to take in as much as I can.

As if the exterior isn't imposing enough,the interior courtyard is truly awe inspiring. With beautiful latin inscribed doorways to each section of library.

On most to-do lists in Oxford, the Bodleian Library is consistently on there. Having never been however it is an overdue venture. I finally found time to visit the Library as a part of the 60 minute guided tour (£7 inc. guide). The tour starts in the Divinity room. As soon as we entered the almost perfectly symmetrical room I had the feeling I have seen this before. I was then quickly informed that this was the set used for the hospital wing in the Harry Potter films. This is not the Bodleian library however, but we were given the history of the libraries and where Oxford University kepts their collections of books since its inception. After a tour in a few more rooms we were led to the Bodleian Library. It is exactly how you imagine an incredibly old library. The books lined up in wooden cases look just like movie props, it is hard to believe they are real books. The room itself was almost silent, dimly lit and had a very subdued and historic atmosphere. No photography was allowed which was disappointing but also added a level of prestige to the space. The room was beautifully painted with the original woodwork and floorboards. I suggest visiting the Bodleian library if you have an interest in books, literature, history or libraries in general, but if you are not too fussed about learning every intricate details of the library, try and get on the 30 minute guided tour. The 30 minute tour was sold out (I can see why) so we went for the 60 minute tour. Personally, I felt it did drag on quite a lot but that isn't t say it wasn't interesting. The guides have a vast knowledge of the library and surrounding buildings. If you are really keen, try the 90 minute tour and good luck to you. I know I could not handle that long.

I agree with the previous reviewer. The Bodleian is a beautiful architectural masterpiece. It's history is rich and is important to the city of Oxford & Oxford University. I received a temporary library card while I was studying at Wadham College. The library is confusing- the policies are very strict and the place is very intimidating. Unfortunately many of the college's libraries aren't open during the summer and they definitely don't offer the selection that Bodleian does... This massive library has at least 3 separate buildings which makes the art of finding books ridiculously confusing. Some selections are not available and easily accessible at all times. In order to find the books you need- since they might be located in different buildings or at an off-site location you have to request the books you'd like from the stacks and have them delivered to the specific reading room that you might happen to be doing your work in. This could take more than 2 days- which doesn't really make getting a lot of work done in one day possible. First you have to research the books you need and then possibly wait several days before you actually see those books in person. This puts a serious damper on getting work done efficiently. Once you get your long awaited texts you can have them held in a reading room but no one, I repeat, no one is allowed to take books from the library. This is because hundreds of years ago the majority of the library's books were stolen and burned. This is also the reason why your bags get checked before you enter the library.. No drinks, food, matches, lighters etc. allowed. The one good thing about this place is the selection of books- The Bodleian is what is known as a "copyright" library. This means that a copy of every book published in the UK lies in the Bodleian. Definitely worth checking out- and there are obviously tons of great resources there dating back to who knows when.. Have fun in Oxford if you happen to be visiting!

The Bodleian library contains every book ever published in the UK. That's an awful lot of books! What's really amazing is that they're stored under the town of Oxford in tunnels stretching 117 miles and connecting some of the different libraries in an underground world of hidden treasures. The Bodleian (or 'the Bod', as it is fondly known) consists of 3 areas: - The New Bod, which is opposite the Kings Arms and allows no visitors. - The Bod main building, which is a square doughnut shape with the quad in the middle. - The Radcliffe Camera ('the RadCam'), which is the most stunning of the buildings. Entry to the quad is free, where you can see scholars heading to work for the day and surround yourself in history, imagining all the books below you. It's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the high street and you really could be from any time in history when you're looking up at the old walls. There are also daily guided tours, which will allow you accompanied entry into the main Bodleian building, to see such wonders as Duke Humfreys library - a gorgeous, ancient library gently lit, with beautiful old leather-bound books from wall to ceiling. Visitors are also allowed into the Divinity School (Hogwarts library in Harry Potter) and the Bodleian's exhibition room. There's a gift shop, which makes up for not being allowed to take photos inside the building. It's well worth getting these tours, as the history of the place is fascinating. The Bodleian has appeared in: Inspector Morse, Brideshead Revisited and the first 2 Harry Potter films, to name a few. Take a step inside and you'll soon see why.

The Radcliffe Camera, as pictured here, is frequently confused as being the Bodleian library. The Bodliean is in fact the name given to all the libraries of the University of Oxford, which together form one of three copyright libraries in the country (meaning that they receive a copy of every book published in Britain by law). The Rad Cam, as it's referred to, is definitely the most well known and is iconic of Oxford itself. Find a student, who can get you in, otherwise tours are available!

If you study the history of books, binding or the origins of print, this library is probably going to make you wet your pants. I just stood in awe - taking deep breaths of air filled with the smell of ancient paper and ink and leather. I never dreamed I'd get even this close to these manuscripts in my lifetime and I certainly didn't expect to get to wander out the front doors with the Gutenberg bible under my arm. I'm glad to hear they are so careful about who they allow in as there are evidently enough students out there who don't fully appreciate the magnitude of what they are entrusted with when they use this library. This is the Alexandria of our time. The tours are fascinating and don't miss the current exhibit of book bindings - they have a small but well chosen collection of covers on display.

Truly awe inspiring in its position & architecture. Like so many buildings in oxford you have to visit. It's a litte pricey to take tours & see the whole building but we chose to see the divinity hall.

This review is just from a tourist point of view, not as a researcher or student. The architecture is worth a stop for some pictures. I enjoyed the gift shop. I would have liked to spend more time on the Oxford University campus in general. Great history.

Great library, great books, too much time spent their as a student.

gotta go just to say you have been. Used in its genuine way for couple of studies at uni but the place has this great historicla awe about it. huge and the filming of the Mummy was done in part here as was Harry Potter. Old, beautiful and an Oxford landmark

this location in oxford has been in many major motion pictures golden compass and harry potter. the library is a classic piece of architecture and an amazing library open to students of oxford. its truely a inspiring building the centre of a court it stands perfectly in oxford town centre.

An invaluable resource for any historian, with an ever-growing collection spanning all eras of British and world history. Books are in high demand from students, so be sure to check a title's availability online using SOLO before you arrive.

After much deliberation of how I wanted to spend my limited hours in Oxford, I decided to go on a tour of the University of Oxford's main research library, Bodleian Library. I did the condensed 30 minute version, where they show you the upstairs Duke Humfrey's Library. I don't want to spoil any details that they would tell you on the tour, but it was incredible being in such an old library filled with old books centuries of years old. Because these are old antique books, they have to be stored on the second floor so that they wouldn't be ruined by flooding. This is also where they filmed the restricted library part of the Harry Potter films. The tour then continues downstairs to the Divinity School, and this beautifully ornate hall is where seminary students would stand at the pulpits to debate each other for their final exams. This room is where the hospital ward scenes for Harry Potter were filmed. This library has huge significance to England, since Oxford is the primary academic town in England, and this library is the main research library in Oxford. Also, the library made a deal with a British publisher back in the day saying that the library would receive one free copy of everything that was published in England. So every Wednesday, the library receives around 4K-10K newly published books, magazines or newspapers. Insane!! There are miles and miles of archives below the city.

The Bodleian Library's most famous aspect is the Radcliffe Camera, frequently seen in many a Morse and Lewis episode as a means of anchoring the viewer to the city. The Camera is well worth a look, as is the Sheldonian Theatre that's on the same land. Both buildings are interesting, and the Theatre has a marvellous painted ceiling.

The Bodleian library where I studied for my dissertation and passed, was quite an eye opener, from the architecture to the books that are from earlier than the 16th century and beyond. I count myself privileged to have studied in there and to gain some fantastic research journal material that I used for my dissertation, which I couldn't find anywhere else.

As a building imposing, as library dreadful. Exclusively staffed by the kind of bolshy, self-important jobsworths that used to be the backbone of the Gas Board and British Leyland. It seems to think it is a private club, and not a public library funded by the taxpayer. Still, on the plus side they do keep making more and more librarians redundant.