“Heretics and Heroes’’ and Christ Church Tours

Martyn devised his fabulous “Heretics and Heroes” tour to bring his high level of scientific understanding to the cultural and architectural history of Oxford.

Martyn read Physics at St Johns College Oxford and defended his PhD at Edinburgh. His science career took him into academia, business & government

In 2023 Martyn became an accredited Oxford Guide and his tours are a fantastic springboard into Oxford’s history with a scientific lens.

  • Languages: English

  • Published Work: Extensive publications in academic journals including Nature

  • Favourite Sites: New College, St John’s College

  • Favourite Pub: White Horse, Lamb & Flag

  • Favourite Cream Tea: The Old Parsonage Hotel

  • Favourite Restaurant: Shezan (High street), Branca (Jericho)

enquire about a heretics and heroes or christ church tour with Martyn

  • Heretics and Heroes

    Oxford was a 9th century “New Town '' that became a prosperous market town and city.

    On the way it acquired a university with a global reputation for both the humanities and science. This “reverse history” tour starts in the 21st century with the latest and largest ever university development north of the old town and winds back the clock, finishing in the city centre at the first home of the University in the historic and magnificent university quarter.

    On the way you’ll learn about the development of the university and the town - with a particular focus on medicine and science -discovering Oxford's modern scientific heroes (e.g. Penicillin, Covid Vaccines) and their predecessors, who were often considered eccentrics and heretics.

    An optional extension to the tour will take you back along medieval streets to the site of the original Anglo-Saxon settlement, the river and a wonderful view of Oxford’s “Dreaming Spires”.

  • Christ Church is known for inspiring JK Rowling's suggestions to Warner Brothers of possible locations for Hogwarts and the Harry Potter movies.However its pedigree stretches back to Anglo Saxon times when the Cathedral site was the same as the minster of Oxford’s Anglo Saxon Saint Frideswide.

    Christ Church is one of Oxford’s most outstanding colleges. It has produced 13 prime ministers, the philosopher John Locke and the reforming politician Robert Peel.

    The cathedral is the smallest medieval cathedral in Britain and a real gem. Stops include its refectory in the famous Great Hall, the Bodley Tower staircase, Sir Christopher Wren’s bell tower in the Tom Quad, the Cloister and Cathedral.

    Afterwards take a walk through the heart of the city and learn about the Architectural and historical highlights of the University and its colleges, how it operates past and present, and the movements and personalities that beautifully tell the tale of 1000 years of history.

  • "The tour was well thought out and Sophie was an engaging guide with a mine of interesting information, much of it new to me even as someone who's lived in Oxford for the past 30 years. Definitely recommended."

    J Willams, Oxford

  • "Sophie offered us a tailor-made tour that perfectly met our expectations."

    Steve, Munich, Germany

  • "Wonderful tour about Oxford, very knowledgeable guide. We enjoyed every minute of it."

    Maria, USA

  • "Sophie is a congenial host with vast knowledge of the colleges and general Oxford area. Good communication and instruction for meet up. Would highly recommend her tour!"

    Andrew, New York, USA

  • "Fascinating tour by a wonderful guide!"

    Michael, USA

  • "Sophie is so knowledgeable! Oxford is a city of history, and she knows it so well. Her recommendation for our dinner after the tour was perfect! She also took care of me beforehand in suggesting other things to do before her tour. She’s the best. A pro’s pro!"

    Kori, USA

  • "My history tour with Sophie was informative and entertaining. The horror was made funny and the ridiculous serious. I was surprised by how much I didn't know and went away with new insights into, not only the university's history and traditions, but the history of England generally. I also got some good ideas for the rest of my stay in Oxford. Thank you!"

    James, UK

  • "This tour was a lovely introduction to Oxford University. As a recent transplant from the US, it was a great way to get my bearings of the area, visit a college, and learn about some fascinating local history. Whether we were gazing at gargoyles or admiring beautiful stained glass, Sophie was a true delight – very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and well-articulated. I highly recommend this experience!"

    Megan, USA

  • "Fascinating, thoughtfully constructed tour of Oxford University encompassing a thousand years of history. I've lived in Oxford for thirty years, yet in this tour learned new and intriguing nuggets about the city, discovered hidden gems in ancient stone buildings that I've been strolling past all these years."

    Maria, Oxford, UK

  • "Sophie is a superb, experienced and enriching guide. We are a retired US professional couple. We've hired individual local guides throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and Sophie tops our list! She spent hours with us in advance, curating our day in Oxford, then filled our tour with history, architecture, art, education, culture…and fun. The day was perfectly paced and suited to our needs. It was a graduation day, so like the happy students, we too tossed our hats in celebration. Brava Sophie!"

    K & A Krupsky, Chicago, USA

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