Bodleian Library Oxford

The Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford. In the UK, its collections cover 169km of shelving space in 10 library buildings in central Oxford and in a network of tunnels running under Broad Street. The Bodleian is unique in that it is not a lending library, no books can be borrowed, only read on the premises. King Charles I was refused permission to borrow a book.

The general public cannot enter the reading rooms, other parts of the library can be seen on one of the frequent guided tours.

Visit the medieval Divinity school, the oldest teaching room of the university built 1488; a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture. (See More Info tab above)

Or you can either do an Audio Tour or a Guided Tour (Standard or Extended see More Info tab above for more information) to see Behind the scenes at the Bodleian Library. Including the Duke Humfrey's medieval library (where Oscar Wilde, C S Lewis and J R R Tolkien studied).