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All 121 Oxford Attractions »

Bodleian Library

Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG, England
01865 277180
Ranked #6 of 87 attractions in Oxford
4.5 of 5 stars 79 Reviews
Type: Libraries, Architectural Buildings
Owner description: Founded in 1602 and regarded as a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, the Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and today serves...... more » Owner description: Founded in 1602 and regarded as a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, the Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and today serves as the main research library of the University of Oxford. « less
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79 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
San Diego, California
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 May 2012 NEW

This old library doesn't loan books - it's to see and enjoy the very fact that it exists! They own four copies of the Magna Carta... More

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See 4 more reviews by BZimonja714 for Oxford
Boston, Massachusetts
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 May 2012 NEW

A serious and expert tour in a small group, proceeding at a leisure pace through a series of splendid rooms. More

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See 3 more reviews by Bill M for Oxford
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2012

No word can say how wonderful it is it left me dumb struck at The wonderful place this is More

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See 3 more reviews by Patricia M for Oxford
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2012

Everybody should do this visit once. Try to go outside exam time so the tour guide can speak up a bit! We've done it twice and the guides are always telling you different stories of the history of the librabry. More

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Oxford, United Kingdom
1 review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2012

If you are looking for a way to enjoy the sites without spending too much money, I recommend going for a stroll from the High Street to Broad Street via the Radcliffe Camera, Bodlien Library, Bridge of Sighs, Sheldonian Theatre. All these sights are practically right next door to one another, nice and flat, easy going for this less mobile,... More

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Greenville, South Carolina
Top Contributor
50 reviews 50 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2012

Highly recommend the 60 minute tour since we got to see many rooms that are not accessible without the tour unless you are a student there. Lots of history within the buildings and lots of trivia from various movies that filmed in the rooms we visited. More

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See 3 more reviews by m s for Oxford
amsterdam
Senior Contributor
37 reviews 37 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2012

Impressive and overwhelming architecture and that for a library. Most of its contents you will not be be able to see, but a guided tour will give you a hint of its impressive and centuries old collection. Just seeing the building itself is worth a visit though. More

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See 4 more reviews by sylvain7 for Oxford
Gisburn, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
44 reviews 44 reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
25 helpful votes 25 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2012

Free old and rare book exibition very interesting. More

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See 2 more reviews by everon46 for Oxford
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2012

Worth a visit from outside and inside. The architecture is stunning, and certainly wins in terms of looks over the Cambridge University Library. Very easy to see all of the key parts of old Oxford on foot, using the library quad as a basepoint. More

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See 2 more reviews by Cantabflyer for Oxford
Stirling, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2012

We took the 1/2 hour guided tour and learnt so much about the history of the library. Our guide was knowledgable and enthusiastic. Beautiful buildings, would highly recommend. More

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See 2 more reviews by Muna M for Oxford

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