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. Anyone visiting Oxford should make a stop

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A view of Oxford Radcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Camera is a neo-classical building inside Oxford University, built from 1737 to 1749 for the Radcliffe Science Library by James Gibbs. Radcliffe Camera is considered one of the finest

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Oxford University - New Library (Weston). Image courtesy of Tejvan Pettinger.

New Library (Weston)

Located in central Oxford, England, the Weston Library is part of the Bodleian Library, the main research library of the University of Oxford. The library reopened within the former New

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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. The tunnels in which the library is

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Oxford University - Bodleian Law Library. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Bodleian Law Library

The Bodleian Law Library is an academic library containing over 550,000 volumes and is also the library of the Faculty of Law. Where is the Bodleian Law Library?

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Oxford University - Bodleian Oriental Institute.

Bodleian Oriental Institute

The Bodleian Oriental Institute or Nizami Ganjavi Library exists to support Oxford students and staff at the Oriental Institute. Where is the Bodleian Oriental Institute Library?

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Oxford University - Radcliffe Science Library. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Radcliffe Science Library

The Radcliffe Science Library is Oxford University’s main teaching and research science library and part of the Bodleian Libraries. Where is the Radcliffe Science Library?

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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. Where is the Sackler Library?

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Oxford University - Taylor Institution Library. Image courtesy of Lizzlebob.

Taylor Institution Library

The Taylor Institution Library (or the Taylorian) is Oxford University’s centre for the study of Modern European languages and literatures. Where is the Taylor Institution Library?

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Oxford University - Vere Hamsworth Library. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Vere Hamsworth Library

The Vere Harmsworth Library is part of the Bodleian Libraries and houses a collection relating to the history of the United States. Where is the Vere Hamsworth Library?

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Oxford University - Angus Library and Archive. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Angus Library and Archive

The over 70,000 items from the Angus Library and Archive are devoted to the history of the Baptist movement from 1612. The library is located at Regent’s Park College, Oxford

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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.

Oxford Christ Church College, Canterbury Quadrangle. Image courtesy of Billy Wilson

Christ Church Picture Gallery

Christ Church Picture Gallery is an art museum holding an important collection of about 300 Old Master paintings and almost 2,000 drawings and is one of the most important private

Historical Places

Oxford's Carfax Tower

Carfax Tower

Carfax Tower, in Oxford, is a 23-meter-high bell tower that used to belong to a 12th-century church. Here’s how to visit it (and why!).

24-26 Cornmarket Street. Image courtesy of Chuca Cimas.

24-26 Cornmarket Street, Oxford

24-26 Cornmarket Street, in Oxford, is a timber-framed building built in the late 14th century. It belonged to a wine merchant who ran it as an inn, the “New Inn”.

Things to Do in Oxford

Barefoot Jericho - Cakes in Oxford

Barefoot Jericho

Barefoot offers homemade cakes, pastries and bread, delicious coffee for eat-in or takeaway in the neighbourhood of Jericho, in Oxford.

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Shops to See in Oxford: The Cake Shop - Cakes for Any Occasion

The Cake Shop

The Cake Shop offers ready-made designs and bespoke masterpieces and has been trading since 1986 in Oxford’s Covered Market.

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