Explore the medieval streets, colleges and chapels of Oxford on a private walking tour of the city in the company of a university graduate. As you wander between august buildings and down cobbled lanes learn about the historic rivalry between town and gown, the many famous writers, politicians and philosophers who studied here, and the sporting rivalry with 'the other place' as Cambridge is locally known.
This two-hour tour is highly flexible and your guide can tailor it to your interests, accommodating any special requests to see locations associated with Harry Potter or Alice in Wonderland perhaps, or visiting specific colleges of interest to you.
Your tour starts in central Oxford, where you'll meet your guide, a graduate of Oxford’s Jesus College, who provides an insider’s view of the city and the university. The University of Oxford is made up of 38 colleges which are spread out across the city between grand libraries and halls and historic museums and chapels.
Your guide will take you to a few of the colleges where you can learn about their famous alumni, visit the spectacular dining halls and hushed chapels, or inspect ancient graffiti, gargoyles and grotesques. While wandering between colleges your guide will also discuss important points of local history, explaining about the strong rivalry between the townspeople and the university, revealing some of the archaic college traditions that persist to this day and discussing some of the array of world-renowned writers turned out by Oxford.
Your guide can adjust the route to your personal interests, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of particular characters or authors. Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) wrote Alice in Wonderland here, inspired by the daughter of the dean of Christ Church, Oscar Wilde wowed his examiners with his wit, and JRR Tolkien was both a student and lecturer here.
Oxford is an august and erudite place where prime ministers and Nobel laureates once studied. Although it is also a thriving modern city, much remains unchanged since the time of its greatest residents, an era when gowned cyclists wobbled down narrow lanes and college halls hosted the first debates of future world leaders.
Once you have had a thorough overview of the city, the walk finishes in the heart of Oxford and your guide can give you recommendations for further places to visit or where to stop for lunch.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our England specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Blenheim Palace half-day tour
Uncover the fascinating history, frayed relationships and royal connections of Blenheim Palace on a private half-day tour of this monumental country mansion. A Baroque masterpiece home to the Duke of Marlborough, its lavish rooms and elaborate gardens are fabulously impressive.
Chauffeured punting
Discover Oxford's tranquil meandering waterways, glorious architecture and beautiful gardens on a chauffeured punt ride along the River Cherwell. Without the hassle of steering these temperamental vessels you can sit back and soak up the scenery.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tour below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
