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Built in 1937–1940 as the New Bodleian by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and reopened as the Weston Library in 2015 after a Wilkinson Eyre redevelopment, it is the most publicly welcoming Bodleian building. Its light-filled Blackwell Hall hosts free changing exhibitions of the library's treasures — past displays have included a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare First Folio and Magna Carta — alongside a café and shop; the reading rooms require a reader's card.\n\n![The Weston Library, Oxford]()\n\nCulture & history **The Weston Library** Oxford\n\nIn pictures\n\n### The full gallery.\n\n02 / The essentials\n\n### What makes it remarkable.\n\n1. 01\n\n The Bodleian's home for special collections — rare books, manuscripts, maps and archives — on Broad Street.\n2. 02\n\n Free public entry to Blackwell Hall, the exhibition galleries, shop and café; reading rooms require a reader's card.\n3. 03\n\n Built 1937–1940 as the New Bodleian by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, and reopened as the Weston Library in 2015 after a Wilkinson Eyre redevelopment.\n4. 04\n\n Free 'treasures' exhibitions have shown items such as a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare First Folio and Magna Carta.\n5. 05\n\n The light-filled Blackwell Hall has a shop and the Bodleian Café; a rooftop terrace looks over Broad Street.\n\n03 / The place\n\n### The building in context.\n\nA story written in stone since **1937**.\n\nBuilt\n\n1937–1940 (New Bodleian); reopened 2015\n\nArchitect\n\nSir Giles Gilbert Scott; redeveloped by Wilkinson Eyre\n\nStyle\n\n1930s civic / contemporary\n\n![The Weston Library, Oxford]()\n\nOxford **The Weston Library** Culture & history\n\n04 / Before you go\n\n### Plan it well.\nEnjoy it properly.\n\nPractical detail, separated from the story so you can scan what matters when you are ready to visit.\n\n01\n\n#### Tickets & entry\n\nFree entry to Blackwell Hall, the exhibition galleries, shop and café; reading rooms require a reader's card. Confirm current details on the official site.\n\n02\n\n#### Opening hours\n\nMon–Fri 09:00–17:00, Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 11:00–16:00; free entry to Blackwell Hall and exhibitions. Confirm on the official site.\n\n03\n\n#### Booking\n\nNo booking needed for Blackwell Hall or the exhibitions.\n\n04\n\n#### Access\n\nStep-free access with lifts to Blackwell Hall and the galleries; a hearing loop is available. Confirm current provision on the official site.\n\nContinue exploring / Oxford\n\n### What will you\n*do next?*\n\nCompare the practical essentials first, then open the experiences that earn a place in your plans.\n\n01 Culture & history\n\n [01 Culture & history **Bate Collection of Musical Instruments** Explore experience]() [02 Culture & history **Bodleian Library guided tour** Explore experience]() [03 Culture & history **Christ Church** Explore experience]() [04 Culture & history **Christ Church Cathedral** Explore experience]() [05 Culture & history **History of Science Museum** Explore experience]() [06 Culture & history **Oxford Castle** Explore experience]() [07 Culture & history **Oxford University Museum of Natural History** Explore experience]() [08 Culture & history **Pitt Rivers Museum** Explore experience]() [09 Culture & history **Sheldonian Theatre** Explore experience]() [10 Culture & history **Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities** Explore experience]() [11 Culture & history **The Ashmolean Museum** Explore experience]() [12 Culture & history **The Radcliffe Camera** Explore experience]() [13 Culture & history **University Church of St Mary the Virgin** Explore experience]()\n\n02 Food & drink\n\n [14 Food & drink **Head of the River** Explore experience]() [15 Food & drink **Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons** Explore experience]() [16 Food & drink **Oxford Covered Market** Explore experience]() [17 Food & drink **The Bear Inn** Explore experience]() [18 Food & drink **The Chequers** Explore experience]() [19 Food & drink **The Eagle and Child** Explore experience]() [20 Food & drink **The King’s Arms** Explore experience]() [21 Food & drink **The Lamb & Flag** Explore experience]() [22 Food & drink **The Perch** Explore experience]() [23 Food & drink **The Trout Inn** Explore experience]() [24 Food & drink **The Turf Tavern** Explore experience]() [25 Food & drink **The White Horse** Explore experience]() [26 Food & drink **Westgate Oxford** Explore experience]()\n\n03 Walks & views\n\n [27 Walks & views **The Bridge of Sighs** Explore experience]()\n\n04 Parks & meadows\n\n [28 Parks & meadows **Christ Church Meadow** Explore experience]() [29 Parks & meadows **Oxford Botanic Garden** Explore experience]() [30 Parks & meadows **Port Meadow** Explore experience]() [31 Parks & meadows **University Parks** Explore experience]()\n\n05 On the water\n\n [32 On the water **Punt the Cherwell** Explore experience]() [33 On the water **Salter's Steamers** Explore experience]()\n\n06 Go deeper\n\n[43 Colleges All the colleges **Every Oxford college** Open the college guide]()[Food & drink / a story **The nine oldest pubs** Walk the timeline]()[Plan / Itinerary builder **Build your Oxford day** Start planning]()\n\n05 / Where it is\n\n### Find it\nand what’s nearby.\n\nExplore around The Weston Library\n\n The map will load when you reach it.\n\n05 / Good to know\n\n### Questions,\nanswered.\n\n01 Is the Weston Library free to visit?\n\nYes — Blackwell Hall, the exhibition galleries, shop and café are free and open to all. Reading rooms need a reader's card.\n\n02 What can you see at the Weston Library?\n\nFree changing exhibitions of Bodleian treasures — past displays have included a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare First Folio and Magna Carta — plus a café and shop.\n\n03 Is the Weston Library part of the Bodleian?\n\nYes — it is the Bodleian's building for special collections, originally the New Bodleian, reopened as the Weston Library in 2015.\n\nBefore you visit\n\n### Check hours, tickets and access.\n\nCheck opening hours, admission prices and access with the venue before setting off.\n\nUpdated\n\nDate unavailable\n\nBy\n\n[Above Guide Editorial Team]()\n\nUseful links\n\n- [Official site visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk ↗]()\n- [Supporting source en.wikipedia.org ↗]()\n\n[Report a correction]()\n\nContinue exploring\n\n### Make Oxford\nyour own.\n\n[Visit the official site]()[← All things to do]()\n\nOpening hours, prices and access change. Confirm details on the official site before visiting.\n\nFiled under library / free / indoor / rainy day / exhibitions / manuscripts" }