Visiting the historic Upper Library

Visiting the historic Upper Library is possible only with a College guide.

To request a group tour of the Upper Library only, use this form: www.merton.ox.ac.uk/group-tour-request. Once we have received your details, we will contact you about scheduling a visit at a mutually convenient time. The number of people permitted in the Upper Library at any one time is limited, so larger groups should be prepared to discuss flexible timetabling. Please note that the scheduling of visits depends on staff commitments, and on College events that may be taking place. Tours are usually not possible during the final examination period (from April to the end of June).

Access to the Upper Library is by a flight of 17th-century stairs.

From July to September, guided tours of the College, which include the Upper Library, take place daily at 3:00pm – find out more about daily guided tours. To request a guided tour of the College outside of these dates, or for a group with a special interest, use this form: www.merton.ox.ac.uk/request-group-tour-merton-college. Enquiries should be made at least 14 days in advance of your intended tour date.

Research visits

If you would like to arrange a research visit to the Upper Library, please complete the research visit request form.

Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of the library courtesy of Google Street View:

You can find out more about the stained glass in the Upper Library on the Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi.