Visiting the Centre

How to find us

The Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture

University of Exeter, Old Library, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, Devon

EX4 4SB

The Centre is located in the Old Library on the University of Exeter's Streatham Campus. The old library building hosts the 'Research Commons', a set of research and learning facilities including the museum, the University's Special collections and library and study facilities.

To visit the Old Library follow the signs for the city centre from A30 / A38 and then follow signs for the University. The Old Library is situated half way along Prince of Wales Road, adjacent to the University Chapel.

Parking is available along Prince of Wales Road and in the Great Hall car park, but please be aware that spaces are limited during term-time. There is a designated parking space directly outside the Centre for registered disabled users, and a lift and ramp access is available in the Old Library for wheelchair users. If you are planning a visit to the BDC it may be possible to arrange parking for one car outside the centre - please email bdc

Coach parties are advised to contact the Centre before their visit so that parking can be arranged.

For public transport users, the 'D' bus service runs at regular intervals (every 15 minutes during term time and every 30 minutes outside term time) between the University and the city centre, and the University is just a short walk from both Exeter St David's and Exeter Central Stations.

Location map of the Bill Douglas Centre A more detailed map of the University campus can be found on the University of Exeter website.

Opening times

The Centre's museum is open free of charge to the public.
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 10:00 - 17:00, except Bank Holidays.

The Museum is closed between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

If you would like a tour of the galleries please contact us in advance at Contact email

Access to research materials: Special Collections and Bill Douglas Centre Reading Room

Items from the Bill Douglas Centre's collections are available for consultation in the Special Collections and Bill Douglas Centre Reading Room, now situated on the entrance level of the Old Library. Almost everything from the collection can be accessed via the reading room, which is open every Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm (except Bank Holidays and between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day).

As staffing allows, the Library will endeavour to retrieve books on demand during the course of your visit: this normally takes between ten and twenty minutes. If at all possible, staff would appreciate requests being made in advance, particularly where large amounts of material are to be consulted.

Requests to consult material can be made by telephone, e-mail, or in person. Request slips are available in the Reading Room.

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