Inside 9 of Oxford University’s Most Beautiful Libraries

Looking for the best Oxford libraries? As one of the most famous universities in the world, there are tonnes! But which Oxford College has the best library?

Inevitably, the majority of my final year at Oxford was spent in Oxford libraries. So I made it my mission to explore as many of them as possible – faculty libraries, college libraries and university libraries, we really are spoilt for choice at Oxford!

This is a list of just 9 that I really loved and think are the best libraries in Oxford, but there are many, many more out there that remain unexplored by me. So here’s a peak inside nine of Oxford University’s most beautiful libraries, including:

• The Radcliffe Camera
• Christ Church Library
• Duke Humfrey’s Library
• The Old Library, Oxford Union
• Codrington Library, All Soul’s
• Brasenose Library
• Lincoln Library
• The Taylor Institution
• Merton Library

Radcliffe Camera (1749)

I thought I’d start with the most famous Oxford library. It’s really Rad. Sorry, I had to. It’s lame, I know.

The Radcliffe Camera, known to students as the Rad Cam, is the central library to the university. There is no one “Oxford University library” but I suppose this one comes up close.

The iconic round exterior is a big hit with tourists and you’ll usually find the square around it flooded with groups of them.

Tourists aren’t usually allowed inside so this remains a quiet place to work for students all over Oxford.

If you’re a member of the public and want a sneak peak inside, you’ll have to book a guided tour which is run 3 times a week on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It lasts for 90 minutes and costs £18 (including entry to some other Oxford libraries and buildings). Find out more here.

The Radcliffe Camera is situated between Brasenose and All Souls, two other Oxford colleges mentioned on this list.

RELATED: Find out where you can get the best view of the Radcliffe Camera in Oxford!

Christ Church Library (1562)

Magnificent both inside and out, Christ Church library is one of my all-time favourite Oxford college libraries (not biased or anything). It is an absolutely enormous building in the beautiful Peckwater quad.

The upstairs and the downstairs are two very different floors, with the upstairs section holding the special collections. Stand just one centimetre too close to the stacks of old books and you’ll set the alarm off.

The upper section is only open to finalists so I guess there are some perks to drowning in finals fear.

Over the last year they’ve started adding a large number of general fiction books, which isn’t all that common with college libraries.

Most tend to be filled with books for academic use with a couple of general fiction ones thrown in.

These large armchairs were also installed which are great for curling up if you want some peace and quiet, surrounded by books.

Check out these posts on reasons to apply to Christ Church and fascinating facts about Christ Church for more info! 

Duke Humfrey’s Library, The Bodleian (1480)

If Duke Humfrey’s Library seems familiar to you, it’s because it is the very library that is used in the Harry Potter films. Whilst at Hogwarts it was known as the restricted section, in real life it is part of the Bodleian Library at Oxford University.

The wifi in this library is not particularly strong so it’s a great place to go if you want to hole yourself up with your books, much like Harry in the restricted section!

This is one of the most iconic Harry Potter filming locations in Oxford but, unfortunately, it isn’t open to the public. However, there are a select number of Bodleian Library tours each day, which will give you a quick glimpse inside this beautiful Oxford library. Find out more here. 

For more Harry Potter locations in Oxford, check out my Oxford Harry Potter tour here!

The Old Library, Oxford Union (1879)

The Union Library in Oxford is only accessible by Union members (though if the door has been left open, non-members could just walk right in).

It is one of the only libraries in Oxford that stocks a decent amount of general fiction available for students to borrow, which is why it’s one of my favourites.

A lot of my friends abandoned reading for pleasure when they got to Oxford and many didn’t realise that there was a resource like this available to them. This is also where I came to find translated versions of my French texts (shh).

Buying membership of the Oxford Union comes at a hefty price but it gives you lifetime access to this institution.

On the whole, this library is fairly peaceful but at peak times seats can fill up. Around the room, there are several leather armchairs which I’ve noticed a lot of old Union members like to come back and read the daily paper in, which is rather sweet.

RELATED: 16 Beautiful Oxford Quotes by Oxford Authors

Codrington Library, All Souls (1751)

Access to All Souls library is sought after by many Oxford students but not granted to many. Mostly because people seem to be under the impression that it’s very difficult to gain access, when in fact you just need a reference from your tutor.

I sorely regret only managing to visit this library in my last week at Oxford as it is one of the best Oxford libraries.

Codrington Library is a very spacious library where you can work peacefully with a huge amount of space between you and the next desk. Perfect when you just want to be a hermit for the day. It’s the sort of space where you think you should be writing with a quill and ink, not typing away on a macbook.

Check out this post for more info on the prettiest Oxford colleges.

Brasenose Library (1664)

This is one of my post liked pictures on Instagram and it was taken in about 4 seconds when I quickly ducked my head into Brasenose library. This library is much cosier than the others featured on this page but the ceiling is just so gorgeous, I had to feature it!

In between each row of shelves, there’s a desk where students can sit and study. Although it’s not very spacious, it does afford the students a lot of privacy, which is a huge plus if you have the attention span of a gnat like me.

Would you have guessed this space holds approximately 55,000 titles?

Lincoln Library (1975)

I spent a large part of my fourth year trying to find someone who could take me into this library. Once I managed to sneak in past the first gate but then when I got inside the library doors, I saw you needed some sort of pass to get in – I was gutted!

I eventually made it into this library 5 years later during “Oxford Open Doors“, one of the few days a year when the private parts of certain colleges open their doors to the public. It’s definitely worth visiting Oxford during that weekend as it’s rare to get a glimpse into these beautiful places!

This library is absolutely enormous and the high ceilings and grand architecture make it one of the most impressive in all of Oxford. It’s actually housed in All Saints Church, an eighteenth-century building.

Taylor Institution Library (1845)

Last but by no means least is the Taylorian, which is the Oxford University Modern Languages Faculty library. This is where I spent a large part of my final year and I definitely didn’t appreciate just how beautiful this room was until it was nearly time to leave.

Modern Languages are very fortunate to have such a wonderful library as some of the other faculty libraries I’ve been in have been .. less than inspiring.

There are many study rooms within the faculty but this large study space is everybody’s favourite.

There’s a spiral staircase leading up to another floor where there are 6 window seats, which are highly sought after by finalists in Trinity term.

People actually queue for these seats before 9am on weekdays, cementing my opinion that this is the best library in Oxford.

Merton Library (1373)

Merton college’s old library dates back to 1373 and is the oldest continuously functioning library for university academics and students in the world.

It’s an absolutely stunning space with two long corridors filled with dark wooden shelves and old books. The bookshelves have intricate carvings and you students can squash themselves into the bench table between each shelf.

On one side, you’re greeted with a long corridor with a domed wooden ceiling. At the end, there’s an enormous globe of the world in front of stained glass windows.

It’s quite something to behold and clearly an old and very precious library!

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Et voilà, there’s a little look inside nine of Oxford University’s most beautiful libraries! These are the nine best according to me but there are many, many other Oxford libraries worth checking out! 

For more info, check out these Oxford University blog posts:

8 Do’s and Dont’s When Choosing an Oxford College
10 Most Beautiful Oxford Colleges
11 Best Restaurants for Brunch in Oxford
The Harry Potter Tour of Oxford University
Saltburn Filming Locations in Oxford

How to get to Oxford

By Train 

There are regular trains from all major UK stations to Oxford. If you are coming from London, you will need to go via London Paddington. Oxford station is a little way out of the city centre but you can then take a bus or walk into town.

Book via the Trainline for the cheapest tickets.

By Bus

If you’re planning to come by bus, aim to get off at either Oxford High Street or Gloucester Green bus station depending on your first Oxford destination.

The Oxford Tube is a super convenient and cheap bus service that’ll take you from the centre of London straight into the heart of Oxford. If you’re taking this route, I’d recommend getting off at the High Street so that you can walk to Radcliffe Square in just 3 minutes. 

By Car

Oxford is easily accessible via the M4, M25, M40 and A roads.

Where to Stay in Oxford

Booking.com

This post was updated in February 2023.