Museums, libraries and other venues

Oxford’s world-class museums house rare treasures from the natural world as well as amazing art and artefacts. The museums are also a valuable study resource for students and academics. All warmly welcome Open Day visitors.

As a student here, you will be able to work in some of the best resourced and most awe-inspiring places to study anywhere in the world. Other excellent universities may have one or two large libraries, Oxford has over 100, making it the largest university library system in the UK. This means it may well be possible for you to complete your degree here without having to buy a single book.

Below is a sample programme of events at museums, libraries and other venues. This will be updated in time for 2025 Open Days but is likely to be similar.

Ashmolean Museum

Where: Beaumont Street, OX1 2PH
When: 10:00–17:00
The Ashmolean Museum is home to the University’s collection of art and archaeology. Founded in 1683, it was the first public museum in the UK and is one of the oldest in the world. Highlights include mummies from Ancient Egypt; classical sculpture from Greece and Rome; paintings by the masters of European art; and the greatest collection of Chinese art in the Western world.
Particularly relevant to: Ancient and Modern History; Archaeology and Anthropology; Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Classical Archaeology and Ancient History; Classics; Fine Art; History of Art.
www.ashmolean.org

History of Science Museum

Where: Broad Street, OX1 3AZ
When: 12:00–17:00
This museum houses an unrivalled collection of historic scientific instruments, including Einstein’s blackboard, intricate Islamic astrolabes and the first cultures of the lifesaving antibiotic Penicillin.
Particularly relevant to all science and history courses.
www.hsm.ox.ac.uk

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Where: Parks Road, OX1 3PW
When: 10:00–17:00
The museum houses an impressive range of scientific collections of zoological and geological specimens in a spectacular Victorian building.
Particularly relevant to: Biology; Earth Sciences.
www.oum.ox.ac.uk

Pitt Rivers Museum

Where: Parks Road, OX1 3PW (Entry through the Museum of Natural History
When: 10:00–17:00
The Pitt Rivers Museum is home to a remarkable collection of man-made objects from all parts of the world. It is equally famous for its celebrated displays and its leading role in contemporary research.
Particularly relevant to: Archaeology and Anthropology; History of Art.
www.prm.ox.ac.uk

University of Oxford Botanic Garden

Where: High Street (opposite Magdalen College Tower)
When: 10:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:00)
The Garden, founded in 1621 contains more than 4,000 different species in just two hectares making it one of the most diverse collections of living plants in the world.
Particularly relevant to Biology.
www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk

University Church

Where: High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BJ
When: 10:00 –17:00
Friday 20 September: Tours are available at 11:00 and 14:00.
From the very beginning of the University, the University Church was used as a central meeting place for worship, lectures and academic debate. The University’s court, treasury and library were housed here until the 15th century.
www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk

Language Centre

Where: 12 Woodstock Road, OX2 6HT
When: 10:00–16:00
The Language Centre is the hub for all students who want to improve their language skills, regardless of degree subject. You can choose from 11 Modern Languages, and Academic English for international students. All courses are taught by expert tutors in small groups, in-person and online. Visit us to meet our tutors, find out more about our courses and look around our classrooms.
www.lang.ox.ac.uk

Bodleian Law Library

Where: St Cross Building, Manor Road, OX1 3UR
When: Guided tours for prospective students at 12:15; 12:35; 12:55; 13:15; 13:35.
The Law Library is a major research library, supporting the staff and students of the Faculty of Law and the wider legal community. The library has over 550,000 volumes, and all four floors are open to readers. It is the home of the Official Papers collection.
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/libraries/law

Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera (incl. History Faculty Library)

Where: Corner of Broad Street and Catte Street. Meet at the entrance of the Bodleian Library, Old Schools Quad, Catte Street, OX1 3BG
When: Tours leave on the hour and at 30 minutes past from 10:00–16:00.
12 places per tour. Please note that this tour involves a lot of stairs. Prospective students can arrange an accessible step free tour by emailing: [email protected] (subject to availability).
Key library for undergraduates studying: Classics, English, History, Philosophy, Theology.
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/bodley

Bodleian Social Science Library

Where: Manor Road Building, Manor Road, OX1 3UQ (Ground floor ramped entrance)
When: Guided tours at 10:45, 11:45, 15:30 and 16:30.
Self-guided tours available all day 09:30–17:00
Key library for undergraduates studying PPE, Geography, or either Politics or Economics as part of a joint honours degree.
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/libraries/ssl

Radcliffe Science Library

Where: Parks Road, OX1 3QP
When: Guided tours at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm; maximum 15 people per tour
The Radcliffe Science Library is the main Oxford University library for sciences. It reopened in October 2023 after over three years of renovation. It provides modern, comfortable, and accessible study spaces which cater for a variety of study styles.
Please note: the lifts in this building are currently out of order and as such step-free tours cannot be offered.
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/libraries/rsl

Philosophy and Theology Faculties Library

Where: Radcliffe Humanities, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, OX2 6GG (Press library buzzer at front door)
When: 10:00–16:00
Key library for undergraduates studying Philosophy and Theology.
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ptfl

Bodleian Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library

Where: 1 St John Street, OX1 2LG (Meet at the Porters’ Lodge)
When: Tours leave at 10:00 and 14:00
Key library for undergraduates studying: Ancient History, Archaeology, Assyriology, Classics, Egyptology, Fine Art and History of Art.
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/libraries/art

Sports Centre

Where: Oxford University Sport, Jackdaw Lane, off Iffley Road, OX4 1EQ
When: 07:00-21:00
This is the main University sports facility, although many individual Oxford colleges have their own sports facilities too. The centre includes a swimming pool, gyms, sports halls, a studio, indoor squash courts, outdoor tennis courts, a café, a variety of sports pitches and, of course, the athletics track made famous by Sir Roger Bannister. Throughout the day, prospective students will be welcome to explore the centre at their leisure. To find out more about sport at Oxford, including details on all our 80+ sports clubs, we recommend visiting Oxford University Sport at their desk at the Open Day Information Centre, Examination Schools, and attending the ‘Sport at Oxford’ talk there to hear from members of staff from the Sports Federation and student representatives from Oxford sports clubs.
www.sport.ox.ac.uk