Tours

City of Oxford tours

A group of five people look towards a tour guide who is point out a historic building detail, in the background is the Radcliffe Camera

City of Oxford Walking Tour

Available: Daily
Price: £20 per person
Duration: 90 – 120 minutes
Tour language: English
Meeting point: Steps of the Weston Library

Enjoy a fun and engaging walk among Oxford’s most iconic buildings. Each historic street has its own story to tell as we follow in the footsteps of famous authors, scientists, politicians and film stars.

Starting and ending at the Weston Library, the City of Oxford Walking Tours offer a look beyond the remarkable spaces within the Bodleian Library. Tours are operated by Green Badge or Blue Badge guides from the Oxford Guild of Tour Guides.

Book a walking tour

Library guided tours

A group of people stand around a tour guide - they are all looking to their left

30 minute library tour

Available: Daily
Price: £9 per person
Tour language: English
Starting location: Divinity School
Suitable for: Ages 11+

Our 30 minute tour takes you back to the Bodleian’s origins. Marvel at the Divinity School before hearing about the oldest books in the stunning Duke Humfrey’s Library.

Book a 30 minute tour

A group of five people look towards a tour guide: they stand in a room with dark wooden panelling and cream stone carved ceilings

60 minute library tour

Available: Daily 
Price: £12 per person
Tour language: English
Starting location: Divinity School
Suitable for: Ages 11+

Delve into the drama of the Bodleian on our 60 minute tour. As well as the Divinity School and Duke Humfrey’s Library, you will also visit Convocation House and Chancellor’s Court. These 17th century rooms were originally used to maintain order in the University but also hosted King Charles I during the English Civil War (1642–1651).

Book a 60 minute tour

Tour guide and visitors outside Radcliffe Camera, Oxford

90 minute library tour

Available: Wednesdays
Price: £18 per person
Tour language: English
Starting location: Divinity School
Suitable for: Ages 11+

Are you determined to see inside Oxford’s icon, the Radcliffe Camera? Our exclusive 90 minute tour will give you access to this beautiful, domed reading room via the Gladstone Link, a secret tunnel originally used to transport books.

Book a 90 minute tour

Self-guided tours

The quadrangle at the Bodleian Old Library with the statue of the Earl of Pembroke in the foreground

Audio guided tour

Available: Daily
Price: £4.50 per person
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Tour language: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish
Starting location: Ticket office/Great Gate
Suitable for: All ages

Oxford’s history is put into perspective with our audio guided tour. Explore the historical significance of the buildings which make up the Bodleian with our interactive audio tour.

You will see the Old School Quadrangles, Clarendon Quadrangles, Radcliffe Square and inside the Divinity School with this guide. It does not include entry to the Bodleian Library.

Book an audio guided tour

Library 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 one month in advance online (with the exception of the City Walking Tour).
  • 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.

 

Contact the Tours team

  +44 (0)1865 287400
  tours@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Our office hours are Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm

What else to see on your visit

Related links