Festival Hub
The Weston Library’s Blackwell Hall is the festival hub for this year’s Oxford Literary Festival. Find us on Broad Street, opposite the Sheldonian Theatre.
We will be running extended opening hours at the Weston Library from Sunday 29 March to Sunday 6 April. Blackwell Hall and the café will be open:
Monday – Saturday: 9am – 6pm
Sunday: 9am – 4pm
Café, toilets and shop
The Weston Library café serves a delicious selection of hot and cold drinks, freshly-made soups, salads, sandwiches, hot dishes, cakes and pastries. Toilets are located next to the café.
Oxford Literary Festival ticket holders can get 10% off in-store at the Bodleian Libraries gift shops – show your ticket to claim your discount. (Exclusions apply, not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Ask in-store for details.)
Selected highlights
The Bodley Lecture and Award of the Bodley Medal: Life and Work
Don McCullin talks to Richard Ovenden
Thursday, 3 April 2025, 6–7pm | Sheldonian Theatre
British photojournalist Sir Donald McCullin talks about his life and work in conversation with Bodley’s Librarian Richard Ovenden and receives the Bodley Medal for his outstanding contribution to photography and journalism.
More information and tickets
CS Lewis’s Oxford: Simon Horobin introduced by Samuel Fanous
Wednesday 2 April 2025, 10–11am | Weston Lecture Theatre
Expert in medieval literature Professor Simon Horobin looks at the role Oxford played in the work of CS Lewis and explains how it helps us to understand the author of the Narnia stories as a student, scholar and teacher. He will be introduced by Samuel Fanous, Head of Bodleian Library Publishing.
More information and tickets
Einstein in Oxford: Andrew Robinson introduced by Samuel Fanous
Wednesday 2 April 2025, 4–5pm | Weston Lecture Theatre
Writer Andrew Robinson tells the story of Einstein’s time in Oxford and uncovers a less familiar side to the world’s most famous scientist. He will be introduced by Samuel Fanous, Head of Bodleian Library Publishing.
More information and tickets
Winnie and Wilbur: Korky Paul
Saturday 5 April 2025, 2–3pm | Blackwell Hall
Bestselling illustrator Korky Paul brings Winnie and Wilbur to life with live drawing, lots of audience participation, Q&As, sound effects, and, of course, a special reading of Winnie and Wilbur’s latest story, Winnie’s Witchy Bedtime.
This free session is ideal for children aged 4+. No ticket required, just turn up on the day.
More information
