Visiting Oxford University Libraries

If you’re a student or an academic visiting Oxford, there will always be a library to help you with your research. The Bodleian Libraries alone contain 28 libraries that serve the University of Oxford and visitors (it is, as you might have guessed, the largest university library system in the entire United Kigdom). It’s actually not difficult to get access to Oxford libraries if you have a research topic. So let’s explore the fantastic libraries the city has to offer and learn how to visit and browse their treasured books. 

Oxford has different libraries depending on your needs and research topics. For example, you have the Bodleian and its 12 million printed items and 80,000 e-journals. And you also have the college libraries (each college has one). These tend to combine modern and older collections. Here’s the full list of Oxford libraries:

Bodleian Library - Entrance. Image courtesy of Billy Wilson.

Bodleian Library

The Bodleian Library is one of Oxford’s most famous landmarks. Among the oldest in Europe, it’s easy to visit and incredible to see.

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A view of Oxford Radcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Camera is a neo-classical style building inside Oxford University, built from 1737 to 1749 for the Radcliffe Science Library.

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Oxford University - Gladstone Link.

Gladstone Link

The Gladstone Link is an underground library connecting the Bodleian Library with the Radcliffe Camera. It opened to readers on 5 July 2011.

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Oxford University - Sackler Library. Image courtesy of Ralf van Buehren

Sackler Library

The Sackler Library, is one of the Bodleian Libraries’ principal research libraries. It focuses mainly on the study of archaeology and art.

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Museums & Art Galleries

Antiques on High - Oxford Museums, Art Galleries and Antiques Shops

Antiques on High

Antiques on High is an antiques and art shop from Oxford founded in 1997 and open seven days a week. It has won several awards.

Aidan Meller Gallery - Oxford Museums and Art Galleries

Aidan Meller Gallery

Aidan Meller Gallery is one of Oxford’s longest-established specialist art galleries. They showcase modern, contemporary and old masters.

Historical Places

Oxford Examination Schools. Image courtesy of David Nicholls LRPS via Flickr Commons.

Oxford Examination Schools

The Oxford Examination Schools were designed with a specific purpose in mind: to host university exams in a dedicated, controlled environment.

Oxford Historical Bridges: Magdalen Bridge

Magdalen Bridge

Magdalen Bridge plays a significant role in Oxford’s cultural life, particularly during the annual May Morning celebrations.

Things to Do in Oxford

Are you looking for other things to do while visiting or living in Oxford? Here are a few ideas for great pubs, bars, restaurants, historical places, museums and art galleries, and beautiful parks. 

Oxford Hotels: Heythrop Park Hotel. Image courtesy of Geograph.

Heythrop Park Hotel

All about Heythrop Park Hotel, a Grade II listed country house set within 440 acres of picturesque parkland near oxford.

Oxford Breakfast Locations: Brown's Cafe

Brown’s Café

Brown’s Café is a well-established spot in the Oxford Covered Market, serving traditional British fare since 1924.

Covered Market - Cardews of Oxford

Cardews of Oxford

Cardews of Oxford is a long-established, family-run tea and coffee specialist located in Oxford’s historic Covered Market.