Radcliffe Camera

There is no University owned car-parking.

However Blue Badge holders can park on Catte Street (double yellow lines for 3 hours).

• Oxford Blue Badge parking map (PDF)

The Radcliffe Camera main entrance is via a ramp on the south side of the Camera (facing the University Church).

At the top of the ramp is a swipe card reader that automatically opens both sets of doors.  

There is a swipe card gate on the left hand side for ambulant users.

Those with mobility problems must use the exit gate instead. To enter the library there is an additional swipe cared reader located on the desk on the right hand side (adjacent to the exit gate) that will then open the exit barriers, pass through. The staff can assist if you if have any problems.

To reach the Gladstone Link there is a platform lift located on the other side of the rotunda directly ahead of you. Exit the lift and go past the accessible toilet to reach the Gladstone Link itself. From here you can continue through the Gladstone Link along the tunnel to the lift which will take you into the Old Bodleian Library.

Follow the link below to view a floor plan of the Radcliffe Camera showing level access routes: 

• Radcliff Camera (PDF)

There are two main reception areas.

When inside the the Radcliffe Camera, the Lower Camera Reading Room features a lowered reception desk adjacent to the entrance.

Once inside the Gladstone Link, there is a small helpdesk that is located in the middle of the reading room on the pathway between the tunnel and the Radcliffe Camera lift.

Accessible toilets

There is an accessible toilet located in the Gladstone Link (near to the platform lift).

Standard toilets

There are 2 sets of standard toilets located in the Radcliffe Camera & Gladstone Link.

The main one is located under the large rear stairwell located ahead of the main entrance in a basement area. 

When facing down the steps and towards Old Bod the men's are on the right and the women's on the left.

There are additional men's and women's toilets located just before the entrance to the upper underground reading room (coming from the Radcliffe Camera direction).

See floor plans for detailed locations.

There is lift access down to the Gladstone Link (via the tunnel).

There is also lift access up to the lower Radcliffe Camera.

Inside the Gladstone Link there is an old staircase that has wrought iron steps that are somewhat narrow, caution should be exercised.

The Radcliffe Camera has a spiral staircase linking the Lower and upper Reading Rooms, there is a central railing and contrast stair nosings.

There are very few doors in both spaces but where they exist they are either held open or have visual panels.

In the Gladstone Link the main reading room is across two floors (with the lower floor only accessible by stairs). There is plenty of seating and open access shelving.

The flooring is listed wrought iron that may be noisy for some wheelchair users. Visually impaired users who use a white stick, or elderly stick users should exercise caution.

The lower reading room of the Radcliffe Camera has fixed tables and shelving that is quite high, some users may need to ask for assistance.

There is a café located just outside of the library across the Old Bodleian quad.

There is ramped access and moveable furniture.

The library can provide the following assistive equipment:

• One daylight reading lamp (Radcliffe Camera)
• Three magnifiers (Radcliffe Camera)
• Five coloured acetate sheets (Gladstone Link and Radcliffe Camera)

Please ask library staff if you wish to use any of this equipment. 

In addition there are two height adjustable desks in the Gladstone Link and four ergonomic chairs in the Gladstone Link and Radcliffe Camera.