Culture & history / Oxford
The Weston Library
The most welcoming Bodleian building — free changing exhibitions of treasures in the light-filled Blackwell Hall.
Plan this experience01 / Why it matters
More than a stop on a list.
The most publicly welcoming Bodleian building, with free changing exhibitions of the library's treasures, a café and shop in the light-filled Blackwell Hall.
The Weston Library is the Bodleian Libraries' home for special collections — rare books, manuscripts, maps and archives — on Broad Street. 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.
02 / The essentials
What makes it remarkable.
- 01
The Bodleian's home for special collections — rare books, manuscripts, maps and archives — on Broad Street.
- 02
Free public entry to Blackwell Hall, the exhibition galleries, shop and café; reading rooms require a reader's card.
- 03
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.
- 04
Free 'treasures' exhibitions have shown items such as a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare First Folio and Magna Carta.
- 05
The light-filled Blackwell Hall has a shop and the Bodleian Café; a rooftop terrace looks over Broad Street.
03 / The place
The building in context.
A story written in stone since 1937.
- Built
- 1937–1940 (New Bodleian); reopened 2015
- Architect
- Sir Giles Gilbert Scott; redeveloped by Wilkinson Eyre
- Style
- 1930s civic / contemporary
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
Free entry to Blackwell Hall, the exhibition galleries, shop and café; reading rooms require a reader's card. Confirm current details on the official site.
Opening hours
Mon–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.
Booking
No booking needed for Blackwell Hall or the exhibitions.
Access
Step-free access with lifts to Blackwell Hall and the galleries; a hearing loop is available. Confirm current provision on the official site.
Continue exploring / Oxford
What will you
do next?
Compare the practical essentials first, then open the experiences that earn a place in your plans.
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Questions,
answered.
01Is the Weston Library free to visit?
Yes — Blackwell Hall, the exhibition galleries, shop and café are free and open to all. Reading rooms need a reader's card.
02What can you see at the Weston Library?
Free changing exhibitions of Bodleian treasures — past displays have included a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare First Folio and Magna Carta — plus a café and shop.
03Is the Weston Library part of the Bodleian?
Yes — it is the Bodleian's building for special collections, originally the New Bodleian, reopened as the Weston Library in 2015.