Radcliffe Camera

Another emblem of Oxford is the Radcliffe Camera. Or Rad Cam, from the Latin camera, meaning chamber. It’s a neo-Gothic building constructed in the 18th century by James Gibbs to house the Radcliffe Science library, Oxford University’s main scientific library. It’s one of the city’s most photographed buildings, and one of the UK’s earliest examples of a circular library. The fact that it is round and set apart from the other buildings means that the Rad Cam is something of a focal point for all colleges, and you’ll find it on every visual representation of the university. It is named after John Radcliffe, a doctor, an academic and politician who left £40,000 after his death to fund the project. Initially, the collection of books progressed only slowly. The library was self-contained, and eventually fell into disrepair. But in 1850, the Radcliffe Camera merged with the Bodleian Library, which transferred all its scientific books to it. Today, it serves as the Bod’s reading room. This part of the library is only accessible to students or through guided tours. If you wish to enter, you’ll need to book one of the “Upstairs, Downstairs” tours at the Bodleian Library. Once inside, you’ll be able to admire the majestic decor and book-filled balconies that go all the way around the library. The tour will even take you to an underground tunnel that connects the place to the old Bodleian library.