Getting to the Bodleian Old Library and Weston Library

The Bodleian Library site in the centre of Oxford includes the Bodleian Old Library, Weston Library and Radcliffe Camera.

The Weston Library and parts of the Old Library are open to the public. Members of the public can only go inside the Radcliffe Camera as part of specific Bodleian tours. 

Weston Library

Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG
what3words: ///during.eagle.money

Blackwell Hall is the main visitor hall in the Weston Library. Here you can buy tour tickets, and visit our exhibitions, café and Weston shop and Space for Reading. You don't need a ticket to visit the exhibitions. 

The visitor entrance is on Broad Street. 

Bodleian Old Library

Catte Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG
what3words: ///pizza.asking.spared

You can enter the Old Library site from Radcliffe Square (south), or from Catte Street (east) for direct access to the Old Schools Quadrangle and the Old Library.

In the courtyard of the Old Schools Quadrangle is the Old Quad Shop and the entrance to the Old Library (ticket holders only).

All library guided tours start in the Proscholium (entrance hall to the Divinity School), which is through the glass doors behind the statue. 

 

Find us on Google Maps  

 

How to get here

The Bodleian Libraries is committed to improving the environmental sustainability of our sites, and we encourage visitors to use sustainable modes of transport to reach us.

 Botley Road closure

Due to a major road and rail improvement programme, Botley Road continues to be closed. For more information about the project, visit the Oxfordshire County Council website.

From Sunday 1 February – Sunday 8 February there will be significant train disruptions from the south into Oxford, with rail replacement buses running. Please check your travel plans in advance to allow for any delays. For information about this closure and replacement services, visit the National Rail website. 

Walk

The Old Bodleian Library and Weston Library are a 15–20 minute walk from the central Oxford train station, or a 5-minute walk from the city centre (Carfax Tower). Get directions from Google Maps or the Oxford walking map. 

Train

Oxford has excellent rail links: it is less than an hour from London and Birmingham by train, with regular services by Great Western Railway, Chiltern Railways and CrossCountry. The nearest rail station is Oxford station, about 1 mile away.

Trains also regularly run from London Marylebone to Oxford Parkway railway station. Oxford Parkway station is north of Oxford, four miles from the Bodleian Library. You can reach us by bus, taxi or bike. 

Bus

The Bodleian Library is very close to the city centre and only a short walk from most central bus stops. 

For more information about travelling by bus into Oxford, visit the Oxford bus company website to plan your journey. You can travel around Oxfordshire with one ticket. Find out more on Mybus Oxfordshire. 

Park and Ride buses are one of the easiest ways to get into Oxford. The five Park and Ride locations around the Oxford ring road offer affordable car parking, with regular buses and a variety of payment methods online and at site. Check the Park and Ride website for details of routes to and from the city centre. 

Cycle

For those cycling to visit us, our nearest bike racks are:

  • On the corner of Parks Road next to the Weston Library on both sides of the road
  • On Catte Street opposite the Great Gate of the Old Library
  • On Broad Street

Use the Cyclox Oxford Cycle Map for local bike routes and Sustrans for regional/national cycle routes.

E-scooter

Oxford is currently running an e-scooter trial scheme (until May 2026) with around 850 electric scooters available to hire in and around Oxford. E-scooters can be used on the road, cycle lanes, and shared cycle/footpaths within the trial area but not on pavements. You must be over 18 and have a full or provisional driving licence to use these.

The nearest e-scooter parking site to us is on the corner of Parks Road. To see all locations, and to find out how to use and hire e-scooters, download the Voi app.

Coach

There is no coach parking in Oxford city centre, but the following bays allow coaches to set down and pick up passengers:

  • St Aldates South (northbound) – Oxford Crown Court, OX11TL
  • Beaumont Street (westbound) – Oxford Playhouse, OX1 2LW
  • St Giles’ (northbound) – Taylor Institute, OX1 3NA

Coaches can park at Oxford Parkway or Redbridge Park & Ride and use the Park & Ride Bus that provides a frequent service to and from the the city centre. Find out more on the Oxford City Council website. 

Car

Oxford City congestion charge

In October 2025 Oxfordshire City Council introduced a congestion charge for cars to enter Oxford via six congestion charge locations around the city. A charge of £5 is applied to all cars without a permit and must be paid to Oxfordshire County Council by midnight on the same day. We encourage visitors to the Bodleian Library to travel into Oxford by public transport or use the Park and Ride.

Oxford and Oxfordshire residents can apply for a permit from the council. Eligibility criteria for free passes, and further information about the charge, is available on the County Council website.

Parking

There are very limited parking spaces available on Parks Road. If you wish to drive, you will find Park and Ride by far the best way to get into Oxford.

Blue Badge parking

There are 9 Blue Badge parking spaces nearby: 4 spaces on Broad Street, and 5 on Parks Road.

Please refer to the Oxfordshire Council website for more information on disabled parking spaces and access to the city by car.

More for your visit