Upon entering the Old Bodleian, you are welcomed with the warm stone walls surrounding the Old Schools Quadrangle, with their intricate detail lit up by the beaming natural sunlight. The Divinity School is the grandest room in the Old Bodleian Library, and leads from the Quad. Completed in 1488, it is a masterpiece of late gothic architecture with a magnificent stone carved ceiling. Adjoining the Divinity School, Convocation House is a 17th-century building that was constructed as a meeting place for the University’s supreme legislative body. It features a fan-vaulted ceiling, fine woodwork and fixed wooden benches providing chapel style seating for your guests.
The new Bodleian Library (Blackwell Hall) offers a smooth stone floor, high ceilings and visible gallery of books, providing a modern, flexible space for large wedding receptions. Situated on the top floor of the Weston Library, the roof terrace offers a spectacular setting for drinks receptions, offering never before seen views over Oxford’s historic rooftops. Wow your guests with a venue set in the heart of the ‘dreaming spires’.
Next to the Old Bodleian Library, the History of Science Museum is the oldest purpose-built museum in the world and can provide a change of scenery to the day. They can host any small drinks receptions for up to 80 guests or small dinners for up to 60 guests.
Enter through the magnificent ceremonial doors and toast a special celebration among the fascinating exhibits. This beautiful 17th-century building was the centre of Oxford science in the late 1600s and now houses an unrivalled collection of historic scientific instruments. Its galleries provide atmospheric and unique spaces for small wedding celebrations.
9 Reviews for The Bodleian Libraries
Recommended by 100% of couples
Abi and Gavin · Married on 01/09/2019
An amazing place for an amazing day
My husband and I had our wedding reception at the Bodleian Library in September 2019.
Sent on 21/10/2019
We visited the Divinity Schools on one of their open days and absolutely fell in love. The staff were brilliant to work with and made everything super easy for us.
As expected, the venue on the day was perfect. The Bod staff worked really well with the rest of the suppliers (including caterers, florist, furniture hire etc.) so that the day went perfectly smoothly.
We had such a fabulous time in the perfect setting and wouldn't have changed a thing!
Kate and Don · Married on 15/08/2019
Fantastic Wedding Venue
We had our ceremony in Convocation House in The Bodleian. All through the process, The Bodleian staff were extremely helpful, and took a lot of the stress away. The space was absolutely gorgeous, and on the day, everything went to plan. As a non-religious couple, we were thrilled The Bodleian could provide the gravitas of a church venue, but without the religious overtones.
Sent on 22/10/2019
Faye and Greg · Married on 08/06/2019
Beautiful Venue, Brilliant Team
We had an incredible wedding day at the Bodleian Library. We held both the ceremony and the reception there and heard so many glowing comments from the guests about how beautiful the venue was. Hannah and her team were brilliant - responding quickly to every question we had in the planning phase and helping everything run smoothly on the day. We felt totally relaxed and didn't worry about a thing.
Sent on 04/11/2019
3 & 4 November 2020, 7-9pm.
You are warmly invited to join us for a virtual event that will feature a fantastic selection of the Bodleian Wedding partners and give you a chance to meet the Bodleian’s Wedding team.
The event will take place online and there will also be a visual element to this event on Instagram, where we will showcase some fabulous images featuring real weddings and Bodleian partners. This will enable you to see how magical the Bodleian is as a wedding venue.
To register your place, please email: weddings@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Once you register, you'll be sent a link to join the event online closer to the time.
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