Visitors to the Bodleian Libraries can now explore the ceremonial history of the University of Oxford.

The new 60 minute 'Ceremonial Oxford' guided tour was launched in partnership with the Sheldonian Theatre on August 30.

The tour includes a visit to the Divinity School, Convocation House, Chancellor’s Court and, for the first time, the Sheldonian Theatre auditorium – the principal assembly room and concert hall of the University of Oxford.

For those looking to tour at their own pace, there is also a new self-guided 'Bodleian Libraries - Sheldonian Theatre Experience'.

The Sheldonian TheatreThe Sheldonian Theatre (Image: Sam Allard)

Tickets for both tours are on sale now, with the guided tour priced at £17.50 per person and the self-guided tour costing £7 per person or £20 for a family ticket.

The Sheldonian Theatre is the principal assembly room of the University of Oxford and the regular meeting place of the congregation, the body which controls the university’s affairs.

All of the university's public ceremonies are performed in the space, including the annual Encaenia, which sees honorary degrees awarded and the university's benefactors commemorated.

When not in use for ceremonies, it hosts a variety of events, attracting musicians, writers, politicians and artists.

The site that would become home to the theatre was acquired by the university shortly after the Restoration, and the theatre was constructed between 1664 and 1669.