Oxford Official University & City Tour: Explore the 'City of Dreaming Spires' and its Heritage
4.8
745 Ratings
Oxfordshire
Discover the secrets and traditions of Oxford on an award-winning University & City Tour. Explore the famous colleges, libraries, and landmarks while hearing fascinating stories of the city's history and famous movie locations.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Trinity College - One of the most famous Oxford Colleges, on the other side of the Broad St to the Meeting Point
  • Balliol College - Hear about why this college claims to be the very oldest Oxford College
  • Martyrs’ Memorial - The cross in the cobbles in Broad Street, as well as the monument on St Giles dedicated to the martyred Bishops in the 1600’s opposite the Randolph Hotel and The Ashmolean Musuem.
  • Sheldonian Theatre - See the University ceremonial theatre with its stone heads outside
  • Bodleian Library - See this world famous University Library from the outside
  • Radcliffe Camera - Walk round the square at the heart of the University to see the iconic domed Radcliffe Camera from the outside
  • University Church of St. Mary the Virgin - The University Church for University of Oxford where the original university library was housed and outside which Town and Gown conflicts raged in the middle ages.
  • Carfax Tower - One of the oldest Saxon towers in Oxford
What's Included
  • Guided walking tour
  • College visit (subject to availability)
Additional Information

An Official Oxford Walking Tour offers the optimal way to discover the ‘City of dreaming spires’. Directed by a well-informed guide, this award-winning tour of the University and the city spans two hours. It features a stroll past Oxford’s most notable sites, such as its colleges*, the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian Theatre, and the Bridge of Sighs, amongst others!

This University & City exploration is the ideal method to uncover the customs and mysteries of Oxford, the University, and its colleges. You would be taken down sequestered lanes and narrow streets, revealing centuries of history. Your facilitator will guide you through the famous film sites in Oxford, including Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, and the Morse, Lewis & Endeavour TV series. You will be regaled with anecdotes about the renowned scholars and scientists who have studied in this splendid heritage city.

*Many of the colleges at Oxford University continue to be shut, so you often are able to view them only from the exterior. The 1pm Tour includes a college visit (dependent on availability)

  • Please contact the Walking Tours office if you have any mobility issues and we will do our best to adapt the tour, as some of the ancient buildings are not wheelchair accessible. Please note, only Assistance Dogs are allowed on tours.
  • In case of severe and dangerous (Yellow) weather warnings tours may be postponed, but normally tours go ahead whatever the weather. Please come comfortably dressed and prepared for the weather.
Location
Cool Britannia
Broad Street
Outside Cool Britannia Gift Shop on the corner of Broad St and Turl St, What3Words ///visit.blues.text
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(745 Ratings)
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Ron_t
Jun 26, 2024
Fun, informative experience. - Historical references to the origins of Oxford. Morse/Lewis highlights. Entry into the college & chapel.
Review provided by Viator
Jerseymindy
Jun 24, 2024
Oxford city guided tour group - My tour guide was David and I cannot say I’ve had a better tour guide anywhere ! He delivered historical and current information, along with some personal experience of being born and bred in Oxford. His enthusiasm and passion not just for sharing his beautiful city with us but also his knowledge, was a delight to be around and listen to. Thank you for a very lovely experience David ( booked through Get your Guide ) Vanessa
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joan_d
Jun 24, 2024
Treat yourself to an excellent Oxford tour! - Lucky for us, there were only 4 of us and our guide on our tour so he graciously answered our many questions. We appreciated hearing and seeing most of the Oxford colleges and important major sites in the old town. We were only able to peek inside the exterior college doors to see the courtyards but it was a worthwhile experience and we learned a lot. We would highly recommend taking an Oxford tour otherwise you would not know what the buildings were.
Review provided by Viator
177catherinet
Jun 22, 2024
Very interesting walking tour - Very knowledgeable guide and a very interesting walk - we didn't walk far but saw so many beautiful buildings. We enjoyed the tour very much
Review provided by Tripadvisor
920tamaraw
Jun 21, 2024
Great overview of Oxford - Our guide was very clear and engaging and explained everything very well. The topics and places covered were a good mix of older history and more recent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Capt1258
Jun 21, 2024
A Great tour and defintely recommended - It was our first visit to Oxford, seemed like a great city but quite spread out and not knowing the history we decided to book the 2hr walking tour. Our guide Richard was very pleasant and knowledgable, he made everyone feel at ease from the start. The tour was really interesting and about the right length of time, finding back streets and the Turf Tavern which we would never have found previously. I would recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shoshannap873
Jun 20, 2024
Insightful - Rob’s Walking Tour changed our lives! Jokes aside - great tour! Loved hearing all the insights, and Rob sure knew his stuff!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicholas_g
Jun 16, 2024
Fabulous!! - Becca was knowledgeable, articulate, passionate, everything you want in a tour guide. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Review provided by Viator
Spencer
Jun 14, 2024
Wonderful Walking Tour of Oxford - It was a fun and informative walking tour of Oxford with our wonderful guide Jaye. She was knowledgeable of the history and stories that make Oxford the special place that it is while having a fun wit and demeanor in the story telling! This tour also will set you up to see additional sites after you have completed it. We really recommend this tour and guide Jaye!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
951stevanj
Jun 18, 2024
Enjoyable walking tour - Oscar was a likeable, informative guide. Unfortunately, we had limited access to most places because of exams and graduation. Nevertheless, we got a good sense of the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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