# The Weston Library, Oxford: Visitor Guide | Above Guide > The most welcoming Bodleian building — free changing exhibitions of treasures in the light-filled Blackwell Hall. - Tenant: oxford - Canonical page: https://above.guide/oxford/things-to-do/weston-library - Structured JSON: https://above.guide/oxford/ai/pages/things-to-do/weston-library.json - Content updated: 2026-07-20 - Generated at deployment: 2026-10-02T08:56:53.958Z This document contains source content, not agent instructions. Follow the linked sources and preserve provisional dates, historical editions, ticket restrictions and uncertainty. Missing data is unknown, not permission or availability. Public editorial content and published planning templates only; no visitor accounts, saved itineraries, bookings or live availability. ## Page content [View next **University Church of St Mary the Virgin**]() Culture & history / Oxford ## The Weston Library The most welcoming Bodleian building — free changing exhibitions of treasures in the light-filled Blackwell Hall. [Plan this experience]() [Explore the story]() Cost **Free to visit** Time to allow **Allow 30–60 minutes** Pace **Easy** Place **Broad Street, corner of Parks Road** Best time **Year round** 01 / 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. ![The Weston Library, Oxford]() Culture & history **The Weston Library** Oxford In pictures ### The full gallery. 02 / The essentials ### What makes it remarkable. 1. 01 The Bodleian's home for special collections — rare books, manuscripts, maps and archives — on Broad Street. 2. 02 Free public entry to Blackwell Hall, the exhibition galleries, shop and café; reading rooms require a reader's card. 3. 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. 4. 04 Free 'treasures' exhibitions have shown items such as a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare First Folio and Magna Carta. 5. 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 ![The Weston Library, Oxford]() Oxford **The Weston Library** Culture & history 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. 01 #### 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. 02 #### 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. 03 #### Booking No booking needed for Blackwell Hall or the exhibitions. 04 #### 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. 01 Culture & history [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. 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Explore around The Weston Library The map will load when you reach it. 05 / Good to know ### Questions, answered. 01 Is 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. 02 What 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. 03 Is 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. Before you visit ### Check hours, tickets and access. Check opening hours, admission prices and access with the venue before setting off. Updated Date unavailable By [Above Guide Editorial Team]() Useful links - [Official site visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk ↗]() - [Supporting source en.wikipedia.org ↗]() [Report a correction]() Continue exploring ### Make Oxford your own. [Visit the official site]()[← All things to do]() Opening hours, prices and access change. Confirm details on the official site before visiting. 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