Families

Visiting the Weston Library with children

We welcome families to our public spaces at the Weston Library.

Explore our amazing free exhibitions and displays based on the Bodleian Library's exceptional collections. Browse books, gifts and souvenirs for readers young and old in our two gift shops.

Sit in our Space for Reading, a literary pit-stop stacked with books for adults and children alike.

The Toddleian Library is our space for the littlest visitors – a soft mat, low table and seating, and a selection of books and toys for babies, toddlers, and their grown ups to enjoy together. Find the Toddleian tucked behind the Bodleian Café, on your left as you enter the Weston Library.

The Bodleian Café is a great place to take a break in the centre of Oxford, close to many of the city's major attractions. Relax and enjoy snacks, drinks and hot and cold food in the modern and beautiful Blackwell Hall, or outside the library's colonnade on Broad Street. We're committed to meeting the needs of families, and are one of the first places to be awarded the Family Café Standard by Kids in Museums, which recognises museum cafés for space and facilities, choice of food, affordability, sustainability and staff training.

Tours

We run children's literature tours of Oxford, suitable for book-loving children aged 7 and up and their parents.

Children of all ages can visit the Divinity School, as well as join our city of Oxford walking tours, which reveal the secrets of this historic university city. We offer discount tickets for families, and tickets for children under 5 are free.

Children aged 11 and up are also welcome on our library guided tours, which will take you through some of Oxford's most iconic and beautiful buildings.

Prams and buggies

The Weston Library is accessible by ramp from the Broad Street entrance. Visitors with buggies are welcome in the Weston Library, including Blackwell Hall, the exhibition galleries, Bodleian Café and Zvi Meitar Bodleian Shop, which are all located on the ground floor.

At very busy times we may need to limit the number of buggies in the exhibition galleries, and this will be at the discretion of the room attendant. Please note that very large double-buggies cannot be brought into the exhibition galleries, due to narrow walkways between exhibits.

Our tours inside the Bodleian Libraries include a number of stairs. We regret that no lift is available.

For more information, visit our Accessibility page.

Food & drink

The Bodleian Café is in Blackwell Hall, the main hall of the Weston Library, with easy access for buggies. It is close to our exhibition galleries and a short distance from the Old Library’s historic buildings and quadrangle. It serves a delicious selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks.

Food and drink (including bottled water) is not allowed in our exhibition galleries.