The Bodleian Libraries
One of our approved venues for marriages, civil partnerships and other civil ceremonies
The Divinity School is the oldest room in the Old Bodleian Library and is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture. It is the oldest teaching room and the first examination school of the University.
Its 15th-century architecture and its stone carved ceiling provide a stunning setting for your ceremony. The size of the room offers a flexible space for ceremonies, dinners, banquets and even dance parties.
The room is available from 4pm onwards, seven days a week. Civil weddings and civil partnerships may take place here between 4pm and 6pm (the latest ceremony commencing at 5pm).
The famous Wren Door on one side of the Divinity School leads to the Sheldonian and Clarendon Quadrangles, where marquees may be set up for larger weddings.
With its fan-vaulted ceiling, fine richly embellished woodwork and fixed seating, Convocation House was built as a meeting place for the University’s supreme legislative body, and parliament was held here during the Civil War. There is an impressive entrance to Convocation House via the adjoining Chancellor’s Court.
Convocation House may be reserved on any day of the week, from 9am to 6pm, for civil weddings and civil partnerships (the latest ceremony commencing at 5pm).
The Chancellor’s Court can be used for smaller ceremonies and drinks receptions for up to 30 people. During larger events, the Chancellor’s Court is usually occupied by the caterer.
Chancellor’s Court may be reserved on any day of the week, from 9am to 6pm, for civil weddings and civil partnerships (the latest ceremony commencing at 5pm).
Other facilities
We can offer a range of wonderful experiences which may form part of your wedding day, including special guided tours for your guests of Duke Humfrey's medieval library. Through the ages generations of famous scholars have studied in this atmospheric reading room, and it is still in use today. These former readers, or users of the Library, include five kings, 40 Nobel Prize winners, 25 British Prime Ministers and writers such as Oscar Wilde, C S Lewis and J R R Tolkien.
Our shop, with its range of beautiful products inspired by the Library’s collections, can supply original ideas for wedding favours, and some of our ranges may even feature on your wedding list.
Rooms and capacity
- The Divinity School (180 people)
- Convocation House (100 people)
- Chancellor's Court (15 people)