Tours for individuals
Tours of the Old Bodleian Library are very popular and often sell out. Tours are available to purchase online from two weeks in advance
- to avoid disappointment, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance.
30 minutes

This tour includes the Divinity School, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and Duke Humfrey’s library, the most ancient
and atmospheric heart of the library.
What you'll see: 15th-century Divinity School and Duke Humfrey's medieval library.
30 minutes
Divinity School
English
£6 per person
Up to 13 people
All adults and children over
the age of 11
12.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm,
4pm, 4.30pm
Sunday*:
12.30pm, 2.15pm, 2.45pm,
3.15pm, 4pm, 4.30pm
60 minutes

An extension of the 30 minute tour, where you'll also get to see the interior of the buildings that form the historic heart of the University.
What you'll see: 15th-century Divinity School, Convocation House, Chancellor's Court and Duke Humfrey's Library.
60 minutes
Divinity School
English
£9 per person
Up to 13 people
All adults and children over
the age of 11
10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm
2pm
Sunday*:
11.30am, 2pm, 3pm
90 minutes

This tour offers the opportunity to visit both the Bodleian Library's wonderful historic rooms as well as a modern reading room.
What you'll see: Radcliffe Camera, Divinity School, Convocation House, Chancellors Court and Duke Humfrey's Library.
90 minutes
Divinity School
English
£15 per person
Up to 13 people
All adults and children over
the age of 11
9.15am
Sunday*:
11.15am, 1.15pm
Audio tour

Follow the history of the Bodleian Library from its birth through to the present with an audio tour describing the spectacular architecture.
What you'll see: External quadrangles and the 15th-century Divinity School.
40 minutes
Divinity School
English, French, German
Spanish and Mandarin
£4 per person
Family tickets: £10
Up to 35 people
All adults and children
9am – 4pm
Divinity School entry

This splendid medieval room is the oldest teaching hall and earliest examination hall of the University.
What you'll see: 15th-century Divinity School
10 minutes
Divinity School
English
£2 per person
Family tickets: £5
Up to 30 people
All adults and children
9am – 5pm
Sunday*:
11am, 5pm
History trail

Follow the self-guided trail as our first librarian, 16th-century scholar Thomas Bodley, takes your family on an adventure
around the Bodleian Libraries and teaches you about the history of this world-famous site.
40 minutes
Divinity School
English
£1 per person
No limit
Aimed at families with
children aged 5 to 11
9am – 5pm
Sunday*:
11am – 5pm
Purchase on the day at the Great Gate ticket office.
Photo gallery


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.
- Family tickets are for two adults and three children under 15 years.
- Visitors are asked to leave all bags in secure lockers for the duration of all Bodleian Library tours.
- There are approximately 70 steps involved in the guided tour and no lift.
- Guided tour times may change if the rooms are booked for University or other events.
- Tickets can be booked online in advance or at the ticket office on the day. Tickets can sell out so please arrive early if booking on the day.
- We reserve the right to cancel any tour at short notice. In case of cancellation any pre-purchased tickets will be refunded.
- For accessibility information, please visit our accessibility page.
- For more information, contact the Tours team.
Group size: Two groups can be run concurrently for the 30 minutes and 60 minutes tours, between Monday and Saturday.
Two groups can also be run concurrently for the 90 minute tour on Wednesday and Saturday only.
*Please check our opening hours for information and for additional room closures.

Catering for groups
Make your visit even more special and enjoy morning pastries or afternoon teas before
or after your tour at the Weston Library café.

Souvenir guide book
A guide book is available to accompany your visit featuring colour images of the library.