Tours

A view down the middle of Divinity School showing the ornate stone ceiling carvings

Tours of the Bodleian Libraries

Get behind the scenes access to one of the oldest working libraries in the world. See the awe-inspiring architecture and hear the stories from the historic heart of the University.

Discover the Bodleian Libraries

We are open for Divinity School entry and exclusive guided tours.

We’re doing things a little differently to keep you safe.

To allow you to experience our special spaces away from the crowds, we’ve reduced numbers to ensure there is plenty of space for everyone.

You'll need to book a ticket online, either in advance or on the day.

Find out more on our Visiting FAQs.

Divinity School and Quadrangles entry

Designed to impress, this splendid medieval room is the University’s oldest teaching and examination room used for the study of Theology. Considered to be a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, it was built between 1424–88.

The Divinity School features in numerous Harry Potter films, including The Philosopher’s Stone and The Goblet of Fire.

Duration: 15 minutes

Starting location: Divinity School

Price: £2.50 per person

Open to: All adults and children

Available: Everyday, 10am–4pm (last entry 3.45pm)

Book your timeslot

Exclusive 60-minute guided tour

This exclusive tour includes the Divinity School, the atmospheric Duke Humfrey’s library and some of the interiors of the building that form the historic heart of the University.

What you’ll see:

Divinity School
Convocation House
Chancellor’s Court
Duke Humfrey’s Library

Tour duration: 60 minutes

Starting location: Divinity School

Tour language: English

Price: £12 per person (based on a group size of at least 3 people)

Group size: Up to 5 people within the same household/bubble. A minimum of 3 people per group.

Open to: All adults and children over the age of 11

Available: Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 4pm (last entry 3pm)*

Book your tour

CONTACT

Contact our Tours team for more information.

Contact us

Divinity School

The University’s oldest teaching and examination room.

Convocation House

A 17th-century room originally constructed as a meeting place for the University’s supreme legislative body. It also briefly housed Charles I’s Parliament while the King was resident in Oxford during the Civil War (1642–6).

Two paintings in gilt frames hanging on a panelled wall either side of a stone doorway

Chancellor’s Court

The University's former courtroom with a fan-vaulted ceiling and panelling from the 1630s.

A large window with bookcases either side in the Duke Humfreys

Duke Humfrey’s Library

The most ancient library room and the atmospheric heart of the library.

Front cover of the Bodleian Library Souvenir Guide showing a detail of the Radcliffe Camera

Souvenir guidebook

Add a Bodleian Library Souvenir Guide into your basket when you book your ticket and take home a tour keepsake filled with rich details and beautiful imagery.

Tour information

Guided tours are conducted in English.
All tours include a number of stairs and some walking, no lift is available.
The routes and times of tours may change, please check with staff.
Only children over the age of 11 years are permitted on guided tours.
Children aged 11–16 must be accompanied on tours by a responsible adult, as our guided tours enter into Duke Humfrey’s Library which is still a working library.
Tickets can be booked up to two weeks in advance online.
We reserve the right to cancel any tour at short notice. In case of cancellation any pre-purchased tickets will be refunded.
For more information, contact the Tours team.

*Please check our plan a visit page for information and unexpected closures.