The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of the most prestigious academic institutions globally. Though its exact founding date is unknown, teaching existed in Oxford as early as the 11th century, and it quickly grew into a major center of learning by the 13th century. Over the centuries, Oxford has been home to some of the world’s greatest minds, including philosophers, scientists, writers, and political leaders.
Unlike many modern universities, Oxford is made up of a federation of independent colleges—each with its own traditions, administration, and character. Students live, eat, and often receive tutorial teaching in their colleges, while lectures and exams are organized by the central university. This collegiate system fosters a close-knit academic community within a broader, world-renowned institution.
Oxford's architecture is as legendary as its scholarship, with historic buildings such as the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and Christ Church forming part of the city’s unique skyline. The university is also deeply entwined with British history and culture, from royal patrons and prime ministers to literary figures like J.R.R. Tolkien and Lewis Carroll.
Today, the University of Oxford remains a leader in research and education, offering a wide range of disciplines across the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Its name is synonymous with excellence, tradition, and an enduring commitment to the pursuit of knowledge.
One of the oldest cities in the UK, Oxford has an incredibly rich history and a beautiful skyline, with its stunning medieval architecture earning it the title ‘City of Dreaming Spires’. Many of its most impressive buildings belong to its eponymous university, which was founded over a thousand years ago and remains one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world. Our private walking tour is a wonderful way to explore the best Oxford has to offer, making your way around a carefully curated selection of the most important sites and hearing a wealth of intriguing anecdotes from your expert guide.
On your 2.5-hour private tour, you will:
Step into the old world charm of Oxford on this captivating private walking tour led by a certified Blue Badge Guide. Beginning at the striking Martyrs’ Memorial, your journey unfolds through the cobbled lanes and golden-stone quads of one of the world’s most storied cities. More than just a sightseeing stroll, this experience provides an immersive introduction to Oxford, designed especially for discerning travellers seeking rich history, iconic architecture, and long established legacy of academic brilliance.
As you explore Oxford’s medieval core, your expert guide will bring to life nearly a thousand years of triumph, tradition, and transformation. With tales of fierce town-and-gown rivalries and centuries-old rituals, the streets of Oxford reveal layers of intrigue behind every elegant spire and ivy-clad wall. You’ll follow in the footsteps of scholars, poets, prime ministers, and revolutionaries as you pass by some of the University’s most celebrated colleges, including Magdalen, Oriel, Exeter, Brasenose, Trinity, and Jesus. You will also have a chance to step inside one of these historic colleges, where your guide will offer an insider’s view into student life, both past and present.
In the heart of the city centre between High Street and Market Street, you will pause beneath the ornate Victorian arches of the Covered Market to hear about Oxford’s bustling daily life and how it once played host to raucous conflicts between townspeople and students. Weather permitting, you can meander through the peaceful paths of Christ Church Meadow, with postcard-worthy views of Christ Church and Merton colleges, the Oxford Botanic Garden, and the River Cherwell, where quaint wooden boats known as punts glide by in timeless Oxford fashion. You will then make your way past more iconic Oxford landmarks such as the Bridge of Sighs, the Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre, and the world-renowned Bodleian Library.
Your tour concludes outside one of Oxford’s most historic taverns, where you are welcome to pop in for a post-tour pint or continue exploring the city independently. Whether you're a lover of literature, a history buff, or simply enchanted by the timeless beauty of England, this private walking tour offers a deeply engaging and unforgettable introduction to Oxford.
Experience the magical university city of Oxford, and see how it inspired the beloved fantasy worlds of Narnia, Middle Earth, and Wonderland and where Hogwarts was brought to life.
On your private tour, you will:
Your tour of Oxford is for the young and the young at heart - for those who daydream of other worlds, of "golden afternoons" amongst the flowers and gardens, of snowy fields and Turkish delights, fantastically larger-than-life battles, of magical lions, and ethereal elves.
To step into an Oxford college is to enter another world. It's no wonder some of the English world's most famous fantasy stories were written and filmed here. It's the city in which the land of Narnia was invented, where Lewis Carroll wrote Wonderland, where Tolkien penned Middle Earth, and where Rowling's Hogwarts came to life.
Wander the cobblestone streets and learn about the wonderful, life-long friendship between CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, who both penned their famous works out of a historic bet with one another. Hear about the world events that shaped Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and stumble upon the lamp post rumoured to be the entrance to Narnia.
Enjoy a pint ('they come in pints?') or a light refreshment at the Eagle & Child pub, where the two authors and professors met each week to discuss their progress and the state of the world. No matter your age, perhaps you too will be swept away by this tour into the magic that inspired some of our most beloved tales.
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