Where to Get the Best Views of the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford
Looking for the best views of the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford? Whether you want the classic postcard shot or something a little more unique, these are the exact spots I’d always photograph when I lived in Oxford, including a few that most visitors completely miss.
The Radcliffe Camera, Rad Cam for short, is usually near the top of people’s lists for things to see in Oxford.
It is Oxford University’s central library and is not open to the public except for some select guided tours (find out more here).
The iconic round shape of the library, designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, is what attracts hordes of tourists each year, and Radcliffe Square is usually teeming with tourists taking photos outside one of Oxford’s top attractions.
There is (happily) a distinct lack of skyscrapers and tall office blocks in Oxford, making the Rad Cam one of the tallest buildings in the city.
That means you’ll often see its round dome poking out as you wander around the city.
But where can you get the best views?
I can assure you it is not from standing right at the bottom of it with your phone pointing upwards, as most tourists seem to think!
Keep on reading to find out where to get the best views of the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford, and some of the most instagrammable places in Oxford.
Radcliffe Square is, unsurprisingly, a square, which means there are four different vantage points to capture the Radcliffe Camera simply by standing in these four corners.
They are Catte Street (two ends), St Mary’s Passage and Brasenose Lane. More info below.
TL;DR: Best Views of the Radcliffe Camera
- St Mary the Virgin Church Tower for the best aerial view
- Catte Street for classic street framing
- Brasenose Lane for the slow reveal shot
- Vaults & Garden for the view straight-on
- South Park Oxford for the skyline/sunset
Catte Street
Catte Street runs between the side of All Souls College and the Rad Cam, and from these two corners, you can get a wonderful view of the Radcliffe Camera with all the surrounding architecture too.
The view from outside Hertford College is my favourite because there’s a large tree, which you can just see on the left below, that blooms wonderful pink flowers during the spring months.
Unfortunately, I took the photo below during the winter months, so all you’ve got here is some bare branches! You’ll have to trust me on this one.
Why it’s great: You get both the Rad Cam and the surrounding Oxford architecture in one shot.
Best photo tip: Stand closer to the All Souls College side for a more symmetrical composition, and use the buildings to frame the dome.
Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and get softer light.
St Mary’s Passage
St Mary’s Passage is one of my favourite streets in Oxford because of its numerous literary connections. To find out more read my literary tour of Oxford.
For now though I’ll tell you that the lamp post you see on the left there is THE lamp post from The Chronicles of Narnia by C S Lewis, which is why I think this capture is very special.
Why it’s great: This is one of the most atmospheric views, with a narrow street leading your eye directly to the Rad Cam, plus its literary connection adds something extra.
Best photo tip: Position yourself so the lamppost sits slightly off-centre in the frame, with the dome in the background.
Best time to visit: Early in the morning if you want an empty shot – this passage gets busy quickly!
Passage to the Bodleian
If you head over to the other side of the Rad Cam, towards the main Bodleian library, you’ll see a small passageway with a beautiful metal gate.
If you wait for the tourists to clear (you might be there a while…) and squat down low, you can get a beautiful picture of the Radcliffe Camera with this ornate gate in the foreground.
Why it’s great: The ornate gate in the foreground adds depth and makes the shot feel more unique than the typical Rad Cam photo.
Best photo tip: Crouch slightly and shoot through the gate to frame the dome.
Best time to visit: Mid-morning or just before closing time when there are fewer people passing through.
Brasenose Lane
The final passage leading off from Radcliffe Square is Brasenose Lane. If you approach from the centre of Oxford towards the Radcliffe Camera, the Rad Cam will slowly come into view.
This is one of the most beautiful walks in Oxford, and I was wowed every time I went down this street!
Why it’s great: This is one of the best “reveal” shots in Oxford as the Radcliffe Camera gradually appears as you walk down the lane.
Best photo tip: Take your photo from further back down the street to capture the sense of perspective.
Best time to visit: Golden hour for the most beautiful light hitting the buildings.
Brasenose College
If you now head inside Brasenose College, just look up and you’ll see what I mean about the Rad Cam poking its head out everywhere!
Brasenose is a lovely college so definitely take this opportunity to wander around the rest of the quads too.
Why it’s great: You get a slightly unexpected angle, with the Rad Cam peeking above the college buildings.
Best photo tip: Look up and use the architecture in the foreground to frame just the top of the dome.
Best time to visit: During quieter visiting hours (late morning or mid-afternoon) when the college is less busy.
Outside Vaults & Garden
Opposite the Radcliffe Camera is a quaint little restaurant and cafe called The Vaults & Garden. The view from standing just outside The Vaults & Garden is great because you can get a picture of the Rad Cam straight on, whilst most other spots featured here are at an angle.
If you go right up to the entrance to The Vaults & Garden, you might also be able to capture some greenery sticking out from the perimeter around The Vaults & Garden for a more interesting photo.
The passageway pictured is how students enter the Rad Cam so you’ll likely find students walking up and down there.
Why it’s great: One of the few spots where you can get a straight-on view of the Rad Cam.
Best photo tip: Stand near the entrance and include a bit of greenery or foreground detail to make the shot more interesting.
Best time to visit: Early morning before the café gets busy, or just before sunset for softer light.
Inside The Vaults & Garden
The view from outside is great as you can really see the full shape of the Rad Cam, but when leaving The Vaults, I spotted this gorgeous capture of the Rad Cam through the windows, and I couldn’t resist taking a snap!
The great thing about the Rad Cam is that you can see it poking out wherever you are in the centre of Oxford so I loved discovering this new instagrammable location in Oxford.
Why it’s great: A more unique perspective, capturing the Rad Cam through the windows for a cosy, framed shot.
Best photo tip: Shoot through the window and use reflections or interior details to add depth.
Best time to visit: Late morning or mid-afternoon when there’s good natural light but fewer crowds.
Check out this post for more brunch spots in Oxford, including Vaults & Garden.
Exeter College Fellows’ Garden
The view of the Rad Cam from inside Exeter College is unfortunately off limits to public as the Exeter College Fellows’ Garden is private.
These beautiful gardens back out onto Radcliffe Square, which means that from inside Exeter College walls you get a glorious view of this Oxford dome.
If you stand in the garden below you’ll see the top of the Rad Cam peeking out to say hello.
Walk to the end of the garden and go up to the viewing platform of sorts and you can get a much clearer view of the Rad Cam and the rest of Radcliffe Square.
Why it’s great: A rare and more hidden view of the Rad Cam from within college grounds, with greenery in the foreground.
Best photo tip: Head to the far end of the garden or slightly elevated areas to get a clearer view over the walls.
Best time to visit: If you have access, go on a clear day when visibility across the city is best.
Check out this post for more info on Oxford University’s most beautiful colleges.
South Parks
Whilst all the views I have mentioned thus far have been centred around Radcliffe Square, this one will require you to walk a little way out of the centre of the city.
You’ll want to head along the High Street, onto St Clement’s Street then continue all the way to Headington Road where you will be able to find the entrance to South Parks.
It’s quite a walk but definitely worth it if you’re looking for a sunset view over Oxford! From South Parks, you can see why Oxford is called the city of dreaming spires!
Unfortunately, the view is often marred by cranes and scaffolding but you can just see the dome of the Radcliffe Camera poking out in the centre.
Why it’s great: This is one of the only spots where you can see the Rad Cam as part of the wider Oxford skyline.
Best photo tip: Use a zoom lens (or phone zoom) to pick out the dome among the spires.
Best time to visit: Sunset for the best light and views over the “dreaming spires”.
St Mary’s Church Tower
I’ve saved the best until last, as nothing beats the view over Oxford from the top of St Mary’s Church Tower!
Since the University Church of St Mary the Virgin is right opposite the Rad Cam, this vantage point offers fantastic views down over the whole structure and the city beyond.
You can see right into Brasenose College and All Souls College to your right and left, which is an added bonus. The only problem is that it’s pretty high up – and there’s no lift!
Of course, being an old church, the only way to get up here is to climb the steep, narrow steps (127 in total). This definitely isn’t for those who are claustrophobic or particularly unfit.
Tickets to climb the tower cost £6 per person, and more information can be found on their website.
Why it’s great: The best aerial view of the Radcliffe Camera as you can see the full structure and surrounding colleges.
Best photo tip: Shoot slightly downward to capture both the dome and the surrounding buildings for context.
Best time to visit: Early morning or just before closing to avoid queues and get clearer views.
So those are just a few of my favourite views of the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford and some of the most instagrammable spots in Oxford too!
For more help planning your trip to Oxford, check out these Oxford guides:
Oxford University’s Most Beautiful Libraries
Most Beautiful Oxford Colleges
11 Free Things to Do in Oxford
Harry Potter Filming Locations in Oxford
11 Best Brunch Spots in Oxford
How to Choose an Oxford College
Saltburn Filming Locations in Oxford
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