Explore 1,000 Years of History

Oxford - The City and University

These tours introduce you to the remarkable story of Oxford’s streets, colleges, and University buildings from medieval beginnings.

🎓University Architectual and Historical Highlights 

Duration: 90 mins · 2 hours · 3 hours · Full day

Discover the astonishing history and beauty of Oxford through its most iconic landmarks and traditions. You’ll explore:

  • The Bodleian Library and Divinity School

  • Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre

  • Radcliffe Square, University Church, and more

This route reveals the city's Anglo-Saxon origins, the evolving power of the University, and the lives of scholars, rebels, and literary greats who shaped Oxford.

🎓 Christ Church & University Architectual and Historical Highlights 

Duration: 90 mins · 2 hours · 3 hours · Full day
Includes Christ Church ticket

From the Saint Brice’s Day Massacre to Harry Potter, this tour takes you into one of Oxford’s most iconic colleges. Explore:

  • The Cathedral, Great Hall, and Tom Quad

  • Bodley Tower staircase and Wren’s bell tower

  • Afterwards, enjoy a city walk covering Oxford’s architectural gems and academic life, past and present (see above)

Walk in the footsteps of 13 Prime Ministers, a revolutionary philosopher, and Oxford’s patron saint — alongside royalty, reformers, and even wizards.

  • Access to colleges and sites can vary daily, but we will guide you on what’s open and reserve tickets accordingly

  • Tours can be deeply rewarding, informative, and visually rich even without entering paid sites, Oxford’s timeless streets and free-to-access landmarks offer beauty, insight, and storytelling at every turn.

  • Tours available in different durations

Introduction to the History and Building of Oxford University and City Highlights

  • **Duration:** 1.5 hours

    Discover the astonishing history and beauty of Oxford on a walking tour which explores iconic landmarks and tells the story of over Oxford’s 1000 years of tradition and innovation.

    You will see sites which tell the tale of Oxford's Anglo Saxon beginnings, the ever changing University, patrons, town and gown and the lives of the scholars, scoundrels and literary giants who made Oxford home.

    Stops include the Divinity School, Bodleian Library’s Old Schools ‘Quad’, Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian theatre, the CS Lewis stop and University church and much more.

    The highlights tour will leave you with a lasting memory of Oxford’s history, its role in the art, architecture, social upheavals and discoveries which have shaped the course of history.

    This tour includes a visit inside one of Oxford's oldest colleges to see where students studied, worshipped, slept and dined and still do today..

    Private Tour

    £160 (up to 4 participants)

    Extras:

    Additional participants over 2: @ £10

    Discussion in the pub (40 minutes): £60 (refreshment not included)

    Discussion over a Cream Tea (40 minutes): £90 (refreshment not included)

    Bodleian Library Tour (40 minutes): £80 (plus £10/person)

  • **Duration:** 2 hours

    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 splendid refectory in the famous Great, 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 which tell an evocative tale of 1000 years of history.

    Group:£220 (up to 2 participants)

    Extra participants: @ 20 (up to 11 participants)

    Extras:

    Discussion in the pub (40 minutes): £60 (refreshment not included)

    Discussion over a Cream Tea (40 minutes): £90 (refreshment not included)

  • "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