OXFORD'S Bodleian Library is the second 'most beautiful' library in the world, new research suggests. 

According to an analysis by online bookshop Wordery, the building was second only worldwide to Seattle Public Library.

The pair were miles ahead of the competition, with the Bodleian missing out by 1,500 social media posts, but having more than double that of third place Vancouver Public Library, in Canada.  

Wordery analysed Instagram hashtags from libraries all over the world to create a list and interactive map highlighting a global top 25 libraries.

The Broad Street building's hashtag was used more than 16,000 times. 

But it was beaten by the 11-storey Seattle venue, opened in 2004, which has a distinctive diamond-shape and was established as an official city department back in 1890. 

The Bodleian is the main research library of Oxford University and holds more than 12 million printed items.

Dublin's Trinity College Library - in 20th - Cardiff's Central Library - in 21st - are the only other institutions from the British Isles on the list.