Accessibility

Getting around

Tour routes

There is step-free access to the Divinity School. 

The Bodleian Old Library is a historic listed building. Some areas, including Duke Humfrey's Library, can only be reached by stairs. All of our library guided tours involve stairs, and the 90-minute library tour also includes a substantial amount of walking. We regret there are no lifts available.

If you or someone in your tour party has accessibility requirements, please contact us ahead of your visit on tours@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. We're working on improving accessibility for our guided tours to ensure visitors have an equitable experience.

Public areas

There is step-free access to all public areas of the Weston Library and Old Library. Our access guide includes images and detailed information about accessibility in the Weston Library.

Main entrance

The main entrance to the Weston Library is on Broad Street.

There is a wide set of steps with one handrail on the right hand side (ascending), and two handrails closer together on the left.  There is also a wide stone ramp with no handrail integrated into the steps. Once you reach the terrace at the top of the steps, there are two sets of automatic doors to enter Blackwell Hall.  

Doors

The main doors to the Weston Library automatic. There are powered doors to the exhibition galleries, lecture theatre and shop.

From Blackwell Hall, the doors to the Bodleian Shop are held open. You can also enter the shop through the powered door on the left-hand side of the outside terrace, before you reach the main entrance.

Information and ticket desk

The information and ticket desk is on the right-hand side of Blackwell Hall when you enter via the main doors. Here you can buy tour tickets, or ask for help or directions. There's a fixed hearing loop at the desk and a reduced height section on the left-hand side. 

Café

The Bodleian Café is on the left-hand side of Blackwell Hall when you enter via the main doors. The tables are a good height for wheelchair users, and there are plenty of light, moveable chairs. All of the food is reachable, and whilst the servery does not have a reduced-height section, it is a comfortable height for wheelchair users. Café staff are happy to help.

Lecture theatre

You can access the lecture theatre via the powered doors on the far side of the Blackwell Hall from the main entrance. It has fixed rows of seating and central steps with contrasting tactile nosing. Chairs have flip-down seats and fixed armrests. There is no designated wheelchair space, but there is enough space at the front of the room. The front of lecture theatre is all level access.

Places to sit

In addition to the café seating area, we also have a dedicated Space for Reading (near the information desk). You can sit here for as long as you want, to look at books and have a chat. There are also built-in wooden benches at the sides of Blackwell Hall.

Accessible toilet

Auditory access

We provide services to improve listening clarity in our spaces. There is a fixed hearing loop at the information desk in Blackwell Hall.

Tours

Visitors on guided tours can request a hearing loop which connects wirelessly to the guide's microphone. We recommend contacting us prior to the tour via tours@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

Events

There is a hearing loop in the Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre.

For events taking place in Blackwell Hall, we offer enhanced audio through Auracast for any compatible devices, including Samsung smartphones (Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, A55 5G) or Samsung earbuds (Galaxy Buds2 Pro (with latest firmware), Galaxy Buds3, Galaxy Buds3 Pro). We also offer assistive listening receivers, which can be used with earbuds, headphones or a t-coil hearing aid. You can reserve a receiver when you book your place.