About the event
As part of Oxford Open Doors 2026, the Bodleian Libraries will be opening up some of our spaces and showing off some of the collections that are not usually accessible to the public. Join us for a wide range of free activities and tours for visitors to enjoy throughout the day.
Saturday 12 September | Sunday 13 September
Saturday 12 September
Drop-in activities in Blackwell Hall
11.00 – 16.00
- Join the Imaging Services team at their discovery station in Blackwell Hall and explore some of the wonders of their work photographing the collections of the Bodleian Libraries.
- Have a go at using our Victorian printing press to make your very own printed keepsake to take home.
- At our conversation station, chat with volunteers about one of our free exhibitions.
Family craft activities in Blackwell Hall
11.00 – 15.00
Drop-in and get creative with some fun, creative family crafts to take home.
Printing in the Bodleian Old Library’s Schola Musicae
12.00 – 16.00
Join the printing team in the Bodleian Old Library’s printing press workshop and learn about historical printing methods from the time of Gutenberg, then have a go at making your own keepsake to take home, using an old, hand-operated printing press.
Conservation Tours Behind the Scenes
11.30 – 12.00 & 13.30 – 14.00
Free, booking essential
Take a tour behind the scenes at the Bodleian Conservation Studio in the Weston Library. Discover how the team preserve, repair and care for our wondrous collections and take care of our historic spaces.
Free, spaces limited – booking is essential. Age 11+ only.
Book now
Maps Show and Tell
11.00 – 12.00 & 14.00 – 15.00
Free, booking essential
Explore some of the Bodleian’s marvellous map collections with a show and tell by staff members from the Bodleian Map Room.
Free, spaces limited – booking is essential. Age 11+ only.
Book now
Portrait Tours
11 – 11.45 & 14.00 – 14.45
Free, booking essential
Take a tour of the portraits behind the scenes in the Weston Library and discover new stories such as that of Edmund Halley, the astronomer who first predicted the return of comets. The portraits offer a fascinating record of social and academic history and feature a diverse mix of people with connections to the University of Oxford, the world of literature and, of course, Bodley’s Librarians. Please meet in Blackwell Hall at the Weston Library.
Free, spaces limited – booking is essential. Age 11+ only.
Book now
Sunday 13 September
Free entry to the Divinity School
11.00 – 16.00
Explore inside the stunning Divinity School, the University of Oxford’s oldest purpose-built teaching and examination room. It is also a location made famous from featuring in the Harry Potter film series. Please meet in the entrance to the Divinity School (Proscholium), through the glass doors behind the statue.
Entry is free, drop-in and suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Free activities in Blackwell Hall
11.00 – 15.00
Printing in the Bodleian Old Library’s Schola Musicae
12.00 – 16.00
Join the printing team in the Bodleian Old Library’s printing press workshop and learn about historical printing methods from the time of Gutenberg, then have a go at making your own keepsake to take home, using an old hand-operated printing press.
Wonder of Birds: A creative dance and music workshop with MuMo Creative
11.30 – 13.00
Join us in a synergy of sound, movement and creativity in this workshop co-created by MuMo Creative and their Dance for Parkinson's and Dance for Joy groups. Inspired by our Wonder of Birds exhibition, the workshop combines live music, dance and creative exercises to boost physical and mental wellbeing, and to celebrate the transformative effects of dance and music. Whether you’d like to take part in the dance workshop or simply enjoy the performance from the audience, all are welcome to experience this inclusive and fun event.
The workshop is free, drop-in and suitable for all.
MuMo Creative is an Oxford-based charity that offers creative dance, music and movement sessions to promote the physical and mental health of older people with age-related health conditions. This workshop is led by MuMo Creative’s lead artists Nia Williams, Roosa Leimu-Brown and Louisa Dalton.
Birdsong workshop
14.00 – 15.00
Inspired by the Bodleian Libraries’ Wonder of Birds exhibition, join us to learn simple, beautiful songs featuring our feathered friends. No previous singing experience is needed and everything will be learned by ear.
This event is ideal for those aged 8 and up, but all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
