Tours of Oxford private walking tours for the Discerning Traveler
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Run by an Oxford MSc Historian, Tours of Oxford, awarded best bespoke European walking tour operator, offers private 5 star TA/Viator/Google rated walking tours of Oxford. All tours are inclusive of entry fees, as applicable.
Centred within the Old University Quarter amid Oxford’s dreaming spires your tour visits all the major sites and landmarks for which Oxford is world famous.
We also explore an Oxford College (or two), its chapels, dining halls and beautiful gardens while you sample a taste of college life.
All our guides are Oxford graduates and published Oxford authors, internationally acclaimed for their fun, informal yet highly informative tours. We do not read from a script and love spontaneity, interaction, opinion and conversation. If you have a particular Oxford interest then do let us know.
If you would like info on trains, parking, etc., then also let us know . Plus we send you 2 Ox Info sheets - dining out and other Oxford attractions not to miss.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age 10. Please indicate the number of children in your party
Comfortable walking shoes or trainers since this tour involves a moderate amount of walking
Tours run at 2pm start time.
What To Expect
Meet your guide at the Weston Library, part of the Bodleian Library, in the heart of the University. The Weston offers excellent facilities, high end cafe and free exhibitions. Next door lies Blackwell's word famous book shop, and an Oxford icon. Its vast collection of books, set over three floors and the Norrington Room where 5 kilometres of books are shelved underground. Not to be missed if love books and often included in our tours..
University of Oxford
The Old University Quarter offers to the visitor a magical place packed full of History, Art and Architecture You will visit the original Ashmolean Museum, Sheldonian Theatre, Old Bodleian Library, Old Schools Quadrangle, Clarendon Building, Radcliffe Camera, the University Church of St Mary the Virgin and the Narnia Doorway - which inspired key characters in the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis.
Options
Let's Explore Oxford
Duration: 2 hours Oxford City and University
What‘s Included
Private Tour, exclusively for you, your family, colleagues and friends
Designated meeting point. Plus we offer hotel pick ups (central Oxford only)
Entrance fees to colleges and University as applicable
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
76 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Guide did not arrive.
andrewsS9513LH,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Guide did not arrive. Nothing else to say.
FANTASTIC Tour!!!
amynP6648MW,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tom far exceeded our expectations with this tour! He was so knowledgeable about all of the things that interested us - the history of the area and the University, the Inklings members, and the architecture. He was a personable and experienced guide and we had such a fun time with him. This tour was certainly one of the highlights of our visit to England!
Learn about Oxford and its many colleges.
Sue B,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great behind the scene of some wonderful Oxford colleges. Dan was a great story teller and we learned a lot of new facts about Oxford.
We hit the JACKPOT!!!
petermL6226ES,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tom was personal and high-calibre from our first interaction. From the advance planning to the actual day we arrived on the train from London, he went above and beyond in multiple ways to make our three-person Inklings & Wesley Tour a remarkable experience. I shopped around a fair bit before I found Tom as one of the tour guide team members. He was incredibly knowledgeable and made every stop fun and enjoyable. We spent several hours with him but it felt like barely a few minutes. We felt so fortunate - like we had hit the Oxford Tour guide jackpot!
Wonderful guide, wonderful company, and a wonderful day.
Helen W,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Chris was both extremely knowledgeable and great fun to be around. We highly recommend his tour!
Fascinating tour!
Relax15118899250,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chris kept our diverse multi-age party of 11 people enthralled during the whole 2 hours. He has a wealth of fascinating historical and local knowledge and anecdotes! Thank you!
Chris was wonderful!...
Suzette O,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Chris was wonderful! Funny, personable, knowledgeable and a wonderful story teller. Do not pass up a chance to tour Oxford with him. Highly recommend , 5 stars for sure!
Not to miss!
Himmat G,Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Chris’s tour of Oxford was absolutely fantastic! From the moment we met him, his passion for the city’s history and culture shone through. He brought the university’s stories to life with fascinating insights, witty anecdotes, and just the right balance of humor, history and detail. We saw all the highlights — from the colleges and hidden courtyards to literary landmarks — and Chris made each stop feel special. He tailored the tour perfectly to our group’s interests and answered every question with enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Oxford, do not miss this tour! Chris is knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly loves what he does. It’s the best way to experience the magic of Oxford and will definitely book him again the next time we visit.
A fantastic Oxford Tour
Humbleparents,Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thanks to Chris for giving us a wonderful tour of Oxford through a fascinating historical lens. He is both knowledgeable and engaging, bringing the colleges, architecture, and chapel we visited vividly to life with true stories and fun facts. My daughter, who loves English literature, thoroughly enjoyed chatting with him — his insights ranged from classic works to contemporary novels. Even my son, a typical IT enthusiast, was captivated by the stories behind Oxford’s magnificent scenery, especially those about student life and the thrilling boat races between colleges. This tour was worth every penny — highly recommended!
A wonderful afternoon of history, chapels, and literature with Chris
zachsA4365WV,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We (me, my wife, and my daughter) had a lovely tour and afternoon with Chris. Starting off with the communication before our tour, Chris was proactive to reach out and provide general information, and was so kind to exchange messages with me about our particular interests and other things to do (Blackwells!) before our tour. We were particularly interested in the college chapels and Evelyn Waugh - and we spent the afternoon seeing a Oxford and absolutely incredible chapels, learning the history of Oxford from Chris, and having great conversations about English literature. Everything about Chris and this tour felt personalized and Chris is just a great guy ... easy to talk to, learn from, and laugh with. We will definitely look him up when we return to Oxford. Thank you, Chris, for a memorable experience.
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Operated by Tours of Oxford