Private Walking Tour: Oxford Highlights, including entry to one College
Oxfordshire
About
Join us for this 3 hour tour of England’s must see city, home for over 800 years to both Royalty and Scholars. Your private guide will lead you on an unforgettable journey around one of the 38 colleges that make up Oxford University. You can marvel at the amazing architecture, learn what it’s like to study here and discover the most famous alumni.
We will then wind our way through the city learning about the foundation of the University, as well as more modern history in the shape of Harry Potter. Your private Blue Badge guide is full of facts and stories to engage and entertain you during the tour making for a terrific experience.
Highlights
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Avoid Queues
Mobile Ticket
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Avoid Queues
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Blue Badge guide
Local guide
Professional guide
Private tour
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Guaranteed to skip the long lines
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Meeting Points
Departure
Carfax Tower
Tour departs from Carfax Tower, look for the side of the tower with the clock, your Guide will be holding a sign with the lead customers name.
Return
Broad Street
Important Information
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Service animals allowed
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
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Wheelchair accessible
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
•
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
•
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
•
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
•
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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Starting right in the centre of Oxford at Carfax Tower, this is the only remaining structure of St Martin’s church. The tower is just over 23m/74ft high and it’s a point of reference for architects, as no building is allowed to be taller than this. Look for the quarter boys and listen to them hammering into the bells every 15 minutes. Carfax is an unusual name, let your guide explain what it actually means.
10 minutes
2
Tom Tower
Walking down Saint Aldate street passing many shops and The Town Hall takes you to Tom Tower. This is a great chance to look into the Tom Quad of Christ Church college. Built by famous architect Christopher Wren in the late Gothic style, even though at that point it was many centuries out of date. Find out who or what Great Tom is, also the difference between Oxford time and Greenwich time.
5 minutes
3
Christ Church
This is our first example of a college, it’s also the largest with some impressive Royal connections. Fans of Harry Potter will remember the dining hall, see if you can spot where JK Rowling might have taken her inspiration. We will explore the quads, the dining hall and the Cathedral of this spectacular College.
1 hour
4
Merton College
Next we pass another of Oxford’s 38 Colleges, Merton. Staking a claim as one of the oldest, it is also one of the smallest. Don’t let the size fool you though, this prestigious institution once homed famous Nobel laureates, TS Eliot and JRR Tolkien.
5 minutes
5
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Heading back towards the busier part of the town, we snake through narrow lanes towards a magnificent view of St Mary’s University church. Lets wander through the church, soaking up the atmosphere and your guide will explain how this Church formed the very beginning of Oxford University.
15 minutes
6
Radcliffe Camera
Our next stop is Radcliffe camera, this impressive building dominates Radcliffe square. Featured in all guide books and on many postcards it is perhaps one of the most iconic sights in Oxford. Today it serves as a reading room for the Bodlian library, home to hundreds of thousands of books. Where do they all fit you might wonder, your guide will explain where they are hidden.
5 minutes
7
Brasenose College
One more college en-route, this time with a very unusual name. Find out the history of the name and its meaning from your guide.
5 minutes
8
Bodleian Library
In a University town like Oxford you are surrounded by sources of knowledge, but this is perhaps the most impressive. Over the years, the library expanded and today you will find various library buildings around the city, but this is the original. It is open only to its members, who must sign a formal declaration on the first admission. It serves mainly as a reference library and members are not allowed to remove books. This rule was even upheld in the 17th century, when King Charles I wanted to borrow a book.
10 minutes
9
The Divinity School
Just like that, we are inside this spectacular room. Look up and admire the beautiful vaulted ceiling. In the past it was home to the study of theology, these days its used in a ceremonial role. This is where the students don their gowns and get ready before they cross the yard to The Sheldonian theatre for their graduation ceremony.
20 minutes
10
Bridge of Sighs
We now make our way to look at the Bridge of Sighs, named after its famous counterpart in Venice. It is forms part of Hereford college, famous as one of the first colleges to accept women as students.
5 minutes
11
Sheldonian Theatre
This is the second building we visit designed by Christopher Wren, the beautiful, classical, Sheldonian Theatre. This is where students celebrate the start and the end of their academic life with matriculations and graduations. Once inside you have a spectacular painted ceiling offering the illusion of open sky.
10 minutes
12
Weston Library
We have spent our tour surrounded by beautiful architecture, listened to stories of various colleges, we learnt about famous alumni. We finish here at the Weston library, to give you idea on how the University works and looks today. Whilst much more modern in appearance, the core value of learning remains the focus. Our tour finishes here, your guide will happily direct you to gift shops, restaurants and other sites which you may like to visit.
10 minutes
Items | Private Walking Tour: Oxford Highlights, including entry to one College
Private Walking Tour: Oxford Highlights, including entry to one College
Oxfordshire
Select Date & Travelers
From
$322.50
Price varies by group size
About
Join us for this 3 hour tour of England’s must see city, home for over 800 years to both Royalty and Scholars. Your private guide will lead you on an unforgettable journey around one of the 38 colleges that make up Oxford University. You can marvel at the amazing architecture, learn what it’s like to study here and discover the most famous alumni.
We will then wind our way through the city learning about the foundation of the University, as well as more modern history in the shape of Harry Potter. Your private Blue Badge guide is full of facts and stories to engage and entertain you during the tour making for a terrific experience.
Highlights
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Avoid Queues
Mobile Ticket
3 hours and 30 minutes
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Avoid Queues
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Blue Badge guide
Local guide
Professional guide
Private tour
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Guaranteed to skip the long lines
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Meeting Points
Departure
Carfax Tower
Tour departs from Carfax Tower, look for the side of the tower with the clock, your Guide will be holding a sign with the lead customers name.