Bodleian Library

Lovely trip to the local library, nice gift shop and Stonework. Can get very busy on end weekend and tours avaliable too. Best to conmute via bus or taxi, roads are pretty good to drive on too but lack of parking. Recommended a visit and take a camera

The Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford, opened by Thomas Bodley. Or rather, reopened, as the university library's history begins in the 14th century when Thomas Cobham, Bishop of Worcester, founded this institution. The collection grew steadily over the centuries, but in the 16th century, decline began: in addition to furniture, many manuscripts were sold. The tide turned when Sir Thomas Bodley, scholar and diplomat, revived the library in 1602, making it one of the oldest libraries in the world. Since then, the library's collection has grown so large that it is the second largest library in the UK, after the British Library. This is partly because "the Bod" is one of the UK's six legal deposit libraries, meaning that a copy of every book published in the UK must be deposited in such a library. All those books and other items—now numbering 13 million—no longer fit into the magnificent 1439 building. The collection is now housed in Duke Humfrey's Library, the Schools Quadrangle, the Clarendon Building, the Radcliffe Camera, and the Weston Library, among other locations. However, the majority of the 176 kilometers of bookshelves are located underground. The library not only serves readers; writers and directors also enjoy using the Bodleian Library as a location for their stories. It figures in Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse and the Harry Potter films, to name just two. The Bodleian Library: a record library not to be missed during your visit to Oxford!

I could not find a book about Nicholas Flamel here, just kidding. The entire library is amazing and for a true Harry Potter fan it feels like stepping into the films. The building is breathtaking and full of history. They are strict about time slots so plan ahead. Special thanks to the kind ladies at the front desk who were very helpful and made the visit even better.

We did the 30 minute tour of the Divinity School and Duke Humphrey’s Library. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and gave an excellent tour to our group. We learned a lot in our 30 minutes. The staff were well organized, with badges and ear sets for the tour so that the guide did not need to talk loudly - which makes sense for a library. Standing among such old books is such an amazing opportunity for a book lover like me. I wish we could have explored more for the library during the visit, but 30 minutes was a good length and enough time to get a view of what the Old library looks like and some of its history.

The Bodleian Old Library is, hands down, the most quintessential Oxford library experience. It’s absolutely stunning—historical and atmospheric. Alongside the Radcliffe Camera, it’s one of the most beautiful places to study in Oxford. That said, depending on the reading room it's also not the most comfortable or practical space. ⸻ Duke Humfrey’s Library - 4/5 This is easily the prettiest part of the entire Bodleian Old Library. However, it’s important to know that the rules here are quite strict: • You can’t bring in bags, coats, or even bottled water. • You’ll need to store everything in the lockers on the bottom floor of the library before entering. For anyone wondering (since this isn’t listed anywhere online): you do get your £1 coin back after using the locker. It’s refundable, and you can reuse it as many times as you want throughout the day, which is a relief. The space itself isn’t the most ergonomic or comfortable—little to no adjustable chairs or desks—but the atmosphere makes up for it. It’s an incredible place to spend a few hours working or reading. ⸻ Lower Reading Room - 2/5 The lower reading room is a decent working space. It’s quieter and a bit more private than the upper floor, though not as pretty. A few ergonomic chairs are scattered around, and they’re usually available. One downside: the desks are low, and it’s hard to cross your legs under them because of the built-in structure. It’s not ideal. Both the upper and lower reading rooms are laid out in a U-shape (horseshoe), with lots of seating on both ends, so it’s worth walking around to find a good spot. ⸻ Upper Reading Room - 5/5 This is arguably the most beautiful working space in the Old Library. It’s large, full of natural light, and has stunning high-up views from its big windows. The atmosphere feels much more spacious than the Lower Reading Room. It’s also surprisingly warm and comfortable, even on cold rainy days. There are a few ergonomic chairs available here too, and they’re not in high demand. Overall, it’s one of the nicest places to work for long periods. ⸻ Gladstone Link - 1/5 The Gladstone Link is, in my opinion, the worst part of the Library. It connects the Old Library with the Radcliffe Camera, and while it’s useful for quick reference or accessing the stacks, it’s simply not a pleasant place to work. The lower level feels like a bunker—windowless, cold, and dim. The upper level is slightly better, but the see-through floor makes it disorienting and uncomfortable being able to see the stacks and people below you. The whole Gladstone Link fine for quick research or grabbing books, but not for actual sitting and studying. ⸻ Final Thoughts If you want to feel Oxford, the Bodleian Old Library—especially Duke Humfrey’s and the Upper Reading Room—is unbeatable. The atmosphere is incredible and deeply inspiring. But it’s also a reminder that this is a historic library, not a modern study lounge: beautiful, yes, but not always built for comfort.