Bodleian Library

The Bodleian is Oxford's — and one of Europe's — greatest libraries. It's a legal deposit library, meaning it receives a copy of every book published in the UK. The collection numbers over 13 million items across multiple buildings.

For visitors, the key spaces are the Divinity School (with elaborate lierne vaulting from the 1480s), Duke Humfrey's Library (the medieval reading room above it, used as the Hogwarts Library in the Harry Potter films), and the Radcliffe Camera next door (the iconic circular reading room).

How to visit

The Divinity School is a self-guided visit: £3 per person, 15 minutes, with a timeslot to book. The Bodleian's tours include it. To go inside the Bodleian Old Library or the Radcliffe Camera, you need to book onto a Bodleian tour; book in advance, especially in summer.

The 30-minute library tour (from £12.50) runs daily and covers Duke Humfrey's Library and the Divinity School. A 60-minute library tour (from £17.50) is also available.

Harry Potter connection

The Divinity School was used as the Hogwarts infirmary. Duke Humfrey's Library was the Hogwarts library (where Harry sneaks in under the invisibility cloak). The exterior quad appeared in several films. The tours mention this but don't dwell on it.

Practical notes

Photography allowed in the Divinity School but not in Duke Humfrey's or the Radcliffe Camera. Book tours online at the Bodleian's website. The shop in the main quad sells excellent prints and book-related gifts.