HIstorical walking tour of oxford
This two-hour walking tour will introduce you to the extraordinary history, culture and people who've shaped our city of dreaming spires.
From Alice in Wonderland to JRR Tolkien, Oxford has inspired many timeless stories. But its real history is just as fascinating, and often just as strange…
As we go on a walk around Oxford's famous buildings, explore the inside of one of its world-renowned colleges and visit the stunning Divinity School, this glorious city will reveal its secrets to you.
Oxford's historic university and many eccentric and brilliant residents have created timeless fiction, inspired unbelievable anecdotes and driven major historical changes. I will show you the places where all this happened!
What to expect
We will start at the oldest building in Oxford: the Saxon tower at St Michael's at the North Gate. From there we will take in:
- Broad Street, where bishops were burned and medieval colleges founded
- The Sheldonian theatre, Sir Christopher Wren's first masterpiece, where the university still holds its ceremonies
- The stunning gothic architecture of the Divinity School and the Bodleian library, home to 13 million books!
- The Bridge of Sighs and a secret passageway to an ancient, haunted tavern and the world-famous buildings of Radcliffe Square
- Locations where famous TV shows and films were shot, including Harry Potter, Wonka and Morse/Lewis/Endeavour
- The atmospheric 250-year-old Covered Market
We will go inside the Divinity School and visit one of the university's historic colleges to see a traditional quad, dining hall, chapel and gardens (subject to availability on the day).
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Up to 19, which is the limit most colleges place on a group of visitors.
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This tour costs £150 per private group, plus entrance fees into the Divinity School and a college for each person - this will depend where we go, and will be between £2.50 and £9.50.
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It will depend which colleges are open on the day, and if you have a personal preference. I particularly enjoy taking people into New College (£7 each) and Merton (£5) as these both have their original medieval buildings.
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Yes, especially if they are interested in history, Harry Potter, Narnia or Tolkien and are happy to go on a gentle walk for two hours. If you let me know their ages in advance I will do my best to show them things they might find particularly interesting.
