Plan your visit

 

Photo of a family sitting inside the Sheldonian theatre, holding the Oxford Open Doors brochure and pointing, looking and smiling at the ceiling

 

The Sheldonian Theatre has been at the heart of the University of Oxford’s life for more than 350 years – a place of ceremony, celebration, performance and history. To this day the Sheldonian’s primary purpose is to serve as a ceremony and event venue. Therefore public opening hours are arranged around what is taking place in the building. 

When the full Sheldonian Experience is on offer, visitors can enjoy access to the Auditorium, Old Printing Loft and Cupola.  

On days when the access to the auditorium is limited we are delighted to offer a new Cupola Views Visit - visitors can climb the 114 stairs to a spectacular viewing gallery in the iconic green-domed Cupola, for 360-degree views across Oxford’s skyline. Whilst there, stay a while in the Old Printing Loft to see up close the interior of Wren’s amazing trussed roof of interlocking timbers.
 

Visitor Information

Opening Times

Open days will be published one month in advance, they will vary week to week, and may be subject to change at short notice.

Please note that the last entry is 30 minutes before the closing time.

Please always check back to this webpage for updates before your visit.  

Day

Date

Opening Times

Opening Type

Guided Tours
Fri 11 July 10:00 - 18:00 The Sheldonian Experience  
Sat 12 July 09:00 - 12:30 The Sheldonian Experience  
Sat 12 July 13:00 - 18:00 Cupola Views Visit  
Sun 13 July 10:30 - 16:30 The Sheldonian Experience  
Mon 14 July 10:00 - 18:00 The Sheldonian Experience  
Tue 15 July 10:00 - 18:00 The Sheldonian Experience  
Wed 16 July 10:00 - 18:00 The Sheldonian Experience  
Thu 17 July 10:00 - 15:30 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30,12:00 and 14:30
Fri 18 July 09:00 - 12:30 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 12:00
Fri 18 July 13:00 - 18:00 Cupola Views Visit  
Sun 20 July 10:30 - 16:30 The Sheldonian Experience  
Mon 21 July 10:00 - 16:00 The Sheldonian Experience  
Tue 22 July 10:00 - 18:00 The Sheldonian Experience  
Wed 23 July  10:00 - 17:30 The Sheldonian Experience  
Thu 24 July 10:00 - 18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30,12:00 and 14:30
Fri 25 July 10:00 - 18:00 The Sheldonian Experience  
Sat 26 July 09:00 - 12:30 The Sheldonian Experience  
Sat 26 July 13:00 - 18:00 Cupola Views Visit  
Sun 27 July 10:30 - 16:30 The Sheldonian Experience  
Mon 28 July 09:00 - 12:30 The Sheldonian Experience  
Mon 28 July 13:00 -1 8:00 Cupola Views Visit  
Wed 30 July 10:00 - 18:00 The Sheldonian Experience  
Thu 31 July 10:00 - 18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30,12:00 and 14:30
Sun 3  Aug 10:30 -  16:30 The Sheldonian Experience 11:30 and 14:30
Mon 4 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Tue 5 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Wed 6 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Thu 7 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Fri 8 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Sun 10 Aug 10:30 - 16:30 The Sheldonian Experience 11:30 and 14:30
Mon 11 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Tue 12 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Wed 13 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Thu 14 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Fri 15 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Sat 16 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Sun 17 Aug 10:30 -  16:30 The Sheldonian Experience 11:30 and 14:30
Mon 18 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Tue 19 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Wed 20 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Thu 21 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Fri 22 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Sat 23 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Sun 24 Aug 10:30 -  16:30 The Sheldonian Experience 11:30 and 14:30
Mon 25 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Tue 26 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Wed 27 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Thu 28 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Fri 29 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Sat 30 Aug 10:00 -  18:00 The Sheldonian Experience 10:30 and 14:30
Sun 31 Aug 10:30 -  16:30 The Sheldonian Experience 11:30 and 14:30

Lost property will be kept for 14 days.

For further information or for any questions, please contact our Reception on 01865 277299

Admission Prices
General Admission Price Concession

The Sheldonian Experience

When we are not in use as a ceremonial venue, we can open up the building giving you self-led access to the whole Auditorium, Old Printing Loft Cupola.

£8.00 £7.20

Cupola Views Visit

When the Auditorium is closed due to an event, this self-led visit takes you up 114 steps to the Old Printing Loft and Cupola for show stopping 360 degree views of Oxford's dreaming spires.

£5.00 £4.50

Sheldonian Guided Tour

On select dates only, this half hour guided tour of the Auditorium gives you a glimpse into the history, architecture and fascinating stories of this building that has been at the heart of the University of Oxford's life for more that 350 years.

This ticket also includes general admission access. 

£14.00 £12.60

 

Concessionary prices are available to: 

Those over 60 or under 16 years of age;
Blue Badge Holders;
Guests of Oxford Alumni;
Students with an NUS TOTUM Card;
Experience Oxfordshire members with a Perks card.

Complimentary access is available to:

Matriculated students and up to 3 guests;
University staff and up to 3 guests;
Alumni cardholders.

Important Information: 

  • Please see the opening dates tab for details on when the full Sheldonian Experience is available.
  • On days the auditorium is in use for an event we offer Cupola Views Visit tickets only.
  • Tickets for the Cupola Views Visit must be bought online. When the Auditorium is in use we have no access to our ticket desk to sell tickets on the door on the day. 
  • If purchasing tickets on the door, the Sheldonian accepts card and contactless payments only, not cash. Please note we do not accept American Express.
  • Due to unforeseen circumstances, we may have to close the Sheldonian at short notice which would result in cancelling existing bookings. In these rare circumstances, an      alternative time or date will be offered, or a full refund would be provided.
  • Before your visit, please read our Safety & Accessibility information.
  • The Sheldonian Visit is suitable for children of all ages, but children must be accompanied and supervised at all times by a responsible adult.
  • Prices are inclusive of VAT.
     
Safety & Accessibility

We aim to make your visit to the Sheldonian Theatre as comfortable as possible and will do our best to support you when visiting. Due to the historical nature of the building, it does not meet modern-day building regulations or all accessibility requirements. When visiting please note the following: -

  • Whilst the Auditorium is accessible, other areas (Cupola, Old Printing Loft, Cecil Jackson Room and Basement) are currently inaccessible to wheelchair users or those with significant mobility problems.
  • Please note that access to the Old Printing Loft and Cupola is only via a 114-step 17th century staircase. Some of the steps are steep and worn. Persons with heart conditions or pre-existing medical conditions, mobility difficulties or any condition where the effort of climbing is considered hazardous should consider carefully before attempting this climb.
  • The Sheldonian Visit is suitable for children of all ages, but children must be accompanied and supervised at all times by a responsible adult.
  • You are required to exercise due care and attention during your visit and to move around the Sheldonian at all times with proper regard for your safety.

If you think you will need additional support, please do read our Accessibility Guide before your visit to help make the most of your day.

Accessibility Guide

Please follow this link to read our accessibility guide.

 

 

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HOW TO FIND US

 

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Contact us 


Sheldonian Team 

+44 (0) 1865 2 77299

enquiries@sheldon.ox.ac.uk

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