Meander through the 400-year-old stacks of Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford. As one of the oldest libraries in Europe, the five-building cluster boasts original architecture and represents the university’s fascinating history. Visit the university’s oldest teaching room or admire the ornate decor of the main study halls. Take a guided tour for a complete interior and exterior viewing and to learn more about the university’s history. Plan to eat before or after your visit, as food and drinks are not served at the library. Plan to visit Bodleian Library and other customer-reviewed, writer-recommended Oxford attractions using our Oxford trip itinerary app.
Tours to Bodleian Library
Bodleian Library reviews
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Going into the library is a very great experience! Ribble is a good guide to say the story of library,which is very worthy.
Going into the library is a very great experience! Ribble is a good guide to say the story of library,which is very worthy. more »
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Felicity is a great tour guide. She is well educated in Oxford history and literature in general. I wouldn’t be knowing so much stories at each visitor point without her.
Felicity is a great tour guide. She is well educated in Oxford history and literature in general. I wouldn’t be knowing so much stories at each visitor point without her. more »
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The Bodleian offers three tours, differing in length and extensiveness of coverage: 30, 60 or 90 minutes. We did the 60-minute tour and our tourguide was Jessica. It was a fascinating tour of a...
The Bodleian offers three tours, differing in length and extensiveness of coverage: 30, 60 or 90 minutes. We did the 60-minute tour and our tourguide was Jessica. It was a fascinating tour of a... more »
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📖A Must-See in Oxford - Especially for Bibliophiles📖 While it's free to tour the outside grounds (and they're stunning as-is), it costs only a small sum to have a brief, guided tour of the interior of the Bodleian Library. Our tour guide was awesome, making the experience personable, fun, and interesting throughout. The inside of the School of Divinity can't be captured properly with pictures. Numerous architects have their handiwork on display, and the details, miniature figures, and family crests can be savored for a long while (my personal favorite being Mary and baby Jesus reading a book together). Several films used this location as a backdrop, such as the Harry Potter movies, so fans of cinema will enjoy the tour as much as history buffs. Certain locations during the tour do not allow for photography (such as the inside of the library), so be respectful and mindful about those cues from your guide. I purchased my tickets the day-of at the entrance and did not have to wait long for my tour to begin. It's well-worth the experience and makes a great addition to a day spent in Oxford.
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One of the world’s great libraries. It’s worth booking a guided tour weeks in advance to see the Duke Humfrey’s Library. The guides are excellent. The gift shop is also very good. The Radcliffe Camera next door forms part of the library and is a landmark building too (it houses the history faculty library), however it isn’t open to visitors.
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Definitely one of the most iconic tourist attraction in Oxford, as well as itself being a very functional library. Great atmosphere to find and read books, or just to do some studying.
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Breathtaking, stunning buildings. Beautiful ambience and vibe. £8.75 for family of four to see the divinity school. Kids should be free seeing as they don't really understand, parents have no choice but to take them in with them, therefore we have to pay for them only for them to sit there.
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Excellent 30 mins tour. Our guide, Jessica, was extremely enthusiastic and kept it interesting and enjoyable. The library ceiling is stunning. Has the wow factor.
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