Merton College Library, Oxford

Name: Merton College Library
Address: Oxford, United Kingdom

#208 among attractions in Oxford

Library

Gallery (3)

Map

Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

Merton College Library is one of the earliest libraries in England and the oldest academic library in the world still in continuous daily use. The library is located in several parts of the college, and houses a priceless collection of early printed books and more than 300 medieval manuscripts. The historic collection was initially built through benefactions, including manuscripts donated by the medieval clergyman William Reade. The library also contains early printed books from the personal libraries of Griffin Higgs and Henry Kent, who originally donated approximately 600 and 800 volumes respectively. The main collection runs to approximately 70,000 volumes. ()

Established: 1373 (651 years ago)Coordinates: 51°45'3"N, 1°15'9"W

Address

HolywellOxford United Kingdom

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Day trips

Merton College Library – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: High Street, Christ Church Cathedral, Broad Walk, Tom Quad.

~670 ftN
Street, Shopping, Shopping district
High Street, Oxford
4 min walk • High Street, commonly referred to as the "High," is a bustling artery of commerce and history in the heart of Oxford, United Kingdom. This iconic street is renowned for its vibrant shopping district, offering a harmonious blend of traditional boutiques, modern...
~560 ftSW
12th-century cathedral of famous college
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
3 min walk • Christ Church Cathedral, nestled in the heart of Oxford, United Kingdom, is a historical and architectural marvel that continues to captivate visitors from around the globe. As the cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford and a central part of the world-renowned Christ...
~550 ftS
Hiking, Hiking trail
Broad Walk, Oxford
3 min walk • Nestled within the historic city of Oxford, Broad Walk offers a serene escape into nature, contrasting with the bustling academic life of the surrounding university. This picturesque hiking trail, lined with ancient trees and well-kept lawns, provides a peaceful...
~760 ftW
Park
Tom Quad, Oxford
4 min walk • Tom Quad, the largest quadrangle of Christ Church, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, is an architectural marvel and a verdant oasis nestled in the heart of the historic city. Enveloped by the imposing classical facades of the college's buildings, this...
~620 ftW
Universities and schools, Sacred and religious sites, Historical place
Christ Church, Oxford
4 min walk • Christ Church is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Christ Church is a joint foundation of the college and the cathedral of the Oxford diocese, which serves as the college chapel and whose dean is ex officio the college head.
~150 ftN
Church
Grove Walk, Oxford
1 min walk • Grove Walk is a short historic leafy walkway running north–south in central Oxford, England, situated on land between Merton College to the east and Corpus Christi College to the west. It provides one of the entrances to Christ Church Meadow from the north.
~340 ftE
Hiking, Hiking trail, Reportedly haunted
Dead Man's Walk, Oxford
2 min walk • Dead Man's Walk is a footpath running east–west in central Oxford, England, situated immediately to the south of Merton College and just outside the old city wall, with Corpus Christi College at the western end. To the north, Grove Walk connects with Merton Street through a gateway.
~440 ftW
Museum, Art museum, Art gallery
Christ Church Picture Gallery, Oxford
3 min walk • Christ Church Picture Gallery is an art museum at Christ Church, one of the colleges of Oxford University in England. The gallery holds an important collection of about 300 Old Master paintings and nearly 2,000 drawings.
~730 ftNE
Bridge
Logic Lane covered bridge, Oxford
4 min walk • The Logic Lane covered bridge is a small covered bridge at the High Street end of Logic Lane, within University College, Oxford, England. The bridge was designed by the Oxford architect Harry Wilkinson Moore and was completed in 1904. It links the older Radcliffe Quad buildings with the newer Durham Buildings, built in 1903.
~690 ftN
Monuments and statues
Shelley Memorial, Oxford
4 min walk • The Shelley Memorial is a memorial to the English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley at University College, Oxford, England, the college that he briefly attended and from which he was expelled for writing the 1811 pamphlet "The Necessity of Atheism".
~710 ftNW
Shopping, Art shops, Bookshop
Sanders of Oxford, Oxford
4 min walk • Sanders of Oxford is an antique print shop situated on the High Street of the city of Oxford, England. Although stores trading in prints were once common in the country, there are now only a handful left, Sanders being one of the largest and longest running outside London.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Merton College Library?

Nearby attractions include Mob Quad, Oxford (1 min walk), Grove Walk, Oxford (1 min walk), Corpus Christi College, Oxford (2 min walk), Merton Street, Oxford (2 min walk).

How to get to Merton College Library by public transport?

The nearest stations to Merton College Library:

Bus

Queens Lane • Lines: 10, 15, 280, 3A, 5A, Lgw, Lhr, Tube, U1, X3, X90 (4 min walk)
Turl Street • Lines: 280, 3A, U1 (5 min walk)

Train

Oxford (20 min walk)