The Bodleian library is essentially the main research library for Oxford University, but it is also one of the largest in the country. It is second only in size to the British Library and it receives a copy of every single book that is published in Britain. There are a range of historic buildings which make up the library, but most of the books are actually stored underground. There are apparently over 100 miles of corridors for book storage below ground. The library also has two more locations that doubled as Hogwart’s in the Harry Potter movies.
Throughout the Harry Potter movies there have been a number of occasions where the Hogwart’s Infirmary was featured. These were all filmed at the Divinity School at the Bodleian Library in Oxford (pictured above). Imagine some hospital beds and screens in the picture above and you’ll get a good idea of how it looked. Admission to the Divinity School is included in most of the tours of the Bodleian Library but you can also pay a £1 fee for access (2018 prices).
Duke Humfrey’s medieval library at the Bodleian Library doubles as Hogwart’s library in the Harry Potter films. Former users of this beautiful library include 5 kings, 40 Nobel Prize winners, 25 Prime Ministers of Britain and famous writers like Oscar Wilde, CS Lewis and Tolkien. You can only visit the library as part of an organised tour and be warned, they book up fast! Both the standard and the extended Bodleian tour will call in at Duke Humfrey’s Library. For more Harry Potter sights take the Oxford Harry Potter Film Locations Tour.
There are three main types of tour you can take at the Bodleian Library. A mini tour, the standard tour and the extended tour. The mini tour gives you access to the Divinity School and Duke Humfrey’s Library for £6 for adults but the extended tours are the ones that you’ll get most out of as they go underground. They’re £15 for adults (2018 prices) and you can book tours in person at the Library.
Standing next to the library is the beautiful Sheldonian Theatre (pictured above) which was designed by Christopher Wren. The building is the official ceremonial hall of Oxford University and you can also take a tour of that separately on selected days through the peak season.
MORE THINGS TO DO IN OXFORDLOCATION & CONTACT
Address: Bodleian Library, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG
Tel: +44 1865 277000
MORE ON THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY
Bodleian Library Tours – Official website
Sheldonian Theatre Tours – Official website
Visit Oxford & Oxfordshire – Official Website
Oxford Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour – Stops near the Bodleian Library
Hotels in Oxford – We recommend Hotels.com
Oxford Guide Books – Amazon.co.uk
Travel Through Oxford Guide Book – Amazon.com