Oxford, England
Hogwarts library
The oldest reading room in the Bodleian Library became the Hogwarts library in the first two Harry Potter films and Goblet of Fire. Its dark timber shelves are especially recognisable from Harry’s restricted-section visit beneath the Invisibility Cloak.
Photo: David Iliff · CC BY-SA 3.0
Duke Humfrey’s Library is inside the Bodleian Old Library beside the Old Schools Quadrangle. The map pin marks the library building rather than a public entrance.
From Oxford railway station, allow around 20 minutes to walk. The Weston Library ticket and information desk is across Broad Street from the Old Library and is the best place to confirm where your tour begins.
This is a working reading room and visitors can only enter on an official Bodleian guided tour. The standard 30-minute tour visits the Divinity School and Duke Humfrey’s Library; when the Divinity School is closed, a separate 30-minute Duke Humfrey’s Library tour may run instead.
The 60-minute tour visits the Divinity School, Convocation House, Chancellor’s Court and Duke Humfrey’s Library. A limited number of tickets are released online exactly one month ahead, with additional tickets sold in person on the day; tours often sell out at weekends and in July and August.
Entry is paid and only available as part of a Bodleian guided tour. The 30-minute tour costs £12.50 per person and the 60-minute tour costs £17.50 per person; both include Duke Humfrey’s Library, and participants must be aged 11 or over. As this is a working library, routes can change or close at short notice, so check availability before travelling.
There is no general visitor parking at the Bodleian. Oxford Park & Ride is recommended for drivers; central parking is limited and traffic restrictions make approaching the Old Library by car impractical.
Duke Humfrey’s Library can only be reached by stairs and the historic building has no lift. Contact the Bodleian tours team before booking to discuss individual access requirements and alternative experiences.
The nearby Weston Library has the visitor information desk, shop and café. Central Oxford has additional toilets, cafés, restaurants and shops within a short walk.
Check the details
Conditions, access and opening information can change. Check official information before making a journey.
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