Culture & history / Oxford
Bodleian Library guided tour
Tour one of Europe's oldest libraries — the Divinity School's Gothic vaulting, Duke Humfrey's Library and the Old Schools Quadrangle.
Plan this experience01 / Why it matters
More than a stop on a list.
It is a walk through centuries of scholarship and some of the finest medieval interiors in England.
The Bodleian Library is the University of Oxford's principal research library and one of the oldest in Europe, refounded by Sir Thomas Bodley and reopened in 1602. Guided tours take in the 15th-century Divinity School — a masterpiece of English Gothic fan vaulting — the medieval Duke Humfrey's Library and the Old Schools Quadrangle, several of which appeared as Hogwarts locations in the Harry Potter films. Tours are ticketed and sell out, so book ahead.
02 / The essentials
What makes it remarkable.
- 01
The University of Oxford's principal research library, refounded by Sir Thomas Bodley and reopened in 1602.
- 02
One of the oldest libraries in Europe and a UK legal deposit library.
- 03
Guided tours take in the Divinity School (a masterpiece of English Gothic vaulting), Duke Humfrey's Library and the Old Schools Quadrangle.
- 04
Grade I listed as the Bodleian Library and Schools Quadrangle including the Divinity School and Convocation House (Historic England 1047185).
- 05
Several spaces appeared as Hogwarts locations in the Harry Potter films.
03 / The place
The building in context.
A story written in stone since 1613.
- Built
- Old Schools Quadrangle 1613–1619; Divinity School 1427–1483; library refounded 1602
- Style
- Gothic / Jacobean
- Listing
- Grade I / Historic England ↗
- Archive
- Wikidata Q82133 ↗
04 / Before you go
Plan it well.
Enjoy it properly.
Practical detail, separated from the story so you can scan what matters when you are ready to visit.
Tickets & entry
Guided tours are ticketed and vary by tour; the Divinity School has a separate admission, and the Weston Library galleries are free. Confirm and book on the official site.
Opening hours
Visitor hours and tour times vary by season.
Booking
Advance booking recommended — tours sell out. Book on the official site.
Access
Access varies by building and tour; some historic spaces have steps. Confirm accessible tour options on the official site.
Good to know
Advance booking advised
Live from the official calendar
What’s on at
the Bodleian.
Exhibitions, tours, talks and family events currently listed by the Bodleian Libraries, including events at the Weston Library and online.
Open the full official calendarContinue exploring / Oxford
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Questions,
answered.
01Can you visit the Bodleian Library?
Yes — guided tours take in the Divinity School, Duke Humfrey's Library and the Old Schools Quadrangle. Tours are ticketed and sell out, so book ahead. The Weston Library galleries are free.
02How old is the Bodleian Library?
It was refounded by Sir Thomas Bodley and reopened in 1602, making it one of the oldest libraries in Europe; the Divinity School dates from the 15th century.
03Was the Bodleian used in Harry Potter?
Yes — several of its historic spaces, including the Divinity School, appeared as Hogwarts locations in the films.