Bodleian Library, Academic library in Oxford, England
The Bodleian Library spans multiple buildings including the Duke Humfrey's Library, Schools Quadrangle, and Radcliffe Camera, housing over 13 million printed items and manuscripts.
Sir Thomas Bodley established the library in 1602, revitalizing a previous collection from the 14th century that was located above the University Church of St Mary.
The library maintains extensive collections of manuscripts, including works by Jane Austen, Tolkien, and a first edition of Shakespeare's First Folio.
The library functions as a reference facility where materials cannot leave the reading rooms, requiring visitors to make a formal declaration to protect the collections.
Under legal deposit status, the Bodleian Library receives a copy of every book published in the United Kingdom, contributing to its continuous collection growth.
Location: England
Inception: 1602
Founders: Thomas Bodley
Official opening: 1602
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Part of: Bodleian Libraries
Address: Radclliffe Square OX1 3BW
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09:00-21:00; Saturday 10:00-16:00; Sunday 11:00-17:00
Website: https://bodleian.ox.ac.uk/libraries/old-library
GPS coordinates: 51.75397,-1.25514
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:20
European historic libraries and bookshops preserve written heritage accumulated over centuries. From Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon, founded in 1732 and still operating at the same location, to the Bodleian Library in Oxford, which has housed over 13 million works since 1602, these sites reflect the evolution and dissemination of books. Livraria Lello in Porto is notable for its curved wooden staircase and neo-Gothic woodwork from 1906, while Dominicanen Bookshop in Maastricht is housed in a converted 13th-century church. These spaces are distinguished by their architecture, from baroque to neo-Gothic, and by their function preserved across centuries. The Celsus Library in Izmir, built in 135 AD, used double walls to protect its 12,000 parchments from humidity. Hatchards in London has been operating since 1797 over five floors in Piccadilly, whereas Shakespeare and Company in Paris has maintained its English-language tradition since 1951 opposite Notre-Dame. These institutions offer visitors the chance to explore places where the history of the book is engraved in stone and wood.
Exeter College
70 m
Sheldonian Theatre
37 m
Bridge of Sighs
112 m
University Church of St Mary the Virgin
162 m
Turf Tavern
168 m
Divinity School
50 m
Clarendon Building
59 m
Weston Library
107 m
History of Science Museum
44 m
Radcliffe Square
102 m
All Souls College Library
128 m
King's Arms
136 m
Indian Institute
122 m
Convocation House
8 m
Chapel of St Mary at Smith Gate
108 m
Statue of the Earl of Pembroke in the Bodleian Courtyard
41 m
The White Horse Public House
78 m
Brasenose College, Kitchen Wing, Second Quadrangle
111 m
50 And 51, Broad Street
81 m
Hertford College, Chapel, South Range
134 m
K6 Telephone Kiosk Adjacent To Bodleian Library
81 m
Hertford College, Railings
94 m
Hertford College, East Range
137 m
Brasenose College, North Range, The Old Quadrangle
57 m
New College Oxford, Cloister (to West Of Chapel)
172 m
Street Surface
87 m
Hertford College, West Range
101 m
Brasenose College, East Range, The Old Quadrangle
98 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes