Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This is a small group tour with typically under 5 persons and limited to max 14 persons. Minimum numbers to book may apply to book- currently minimum 3 or 4 adults applies to book. Our competitors run tours with much larger numbers than we do, so one advantage of booking our tour, is a more personalised service.
This tour will include entry into at least one or more colleges- which college/s will vary from day to day.
See Oxford and England's history will be brought alive on this unique small-group guided walking tour of the city and university traditions. See inside colleges with any chargeable entrance fees included in your tour. The 90 to 120-minute long tour will feature storytelling about student life, college traditions, Henry VIII, Bloody Mary, CS Lewis, J.R.R Tolkien and even Harry Potter!
Notice: please see What's not included section for details of university graduation dates as most colleges are closed on such dates.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We cannot always guarantee entry inside any colleges during Covid19 and on graduation dates or Xmas period from approx. Dec 22nd to Jan 2nd
Please take note of any advertised university graduation dates mentioned below, as those dates can have less options of colleges to visit.
Graduation dates- please see 'EXCLUSIONS' section.
What To Expect
Wadham College
Which colleges we visit inside will vary from one tour to the next, depending on what is open from day to day. This college is free entry to visit yourselves.
Exeter College
We briefly introduce a range of colleges or sightseeing spots such as this one, on our route. This college is where Tolkien was a student! It's also connected to JK Rowling.
Options
Public tour
Daily shared public tour: Daily shared PUBLIC Individual tickets lasting 90-120 minutes
What‘s Included
PLEASE SEE EXCLUSIONS SECTION FOR DETAILS OF ANY CLOSURES TO VENUES.
Entry fee worth up to £5 max per person is included.
The tour typically visits inside either Balliol or Exeter or St Johns college worth max £3 person
Your guide will give you a complementary ILoveOxford map, showing you of all the main sights.
Tour does NOT visit Bodleian, Christ church, Magdalen or New colleges ( which cost £8-£18)
Christmas notice: colleges are usually all closed from approx Dec 21 to Jan 2nd
On graduation dates, we may not always be able to enter a college so see graduation dates below:
2026 Graduation dates includes....
Feb 28, March 7, May 15+ 16+ 23, July 18+ 28+ 31, Aug 1 + 8, Sep 25+ 26, Nov 6 + 7 + 13 + 14 of 2026
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
99 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent tour of Oxford!
Peter G,Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide was excellent! He gave us a well rounded tour of many of the landmarks and colleges of Oxford explaining the historical significance of each. He had a great humour and was able to give us a great look into what was happening when the college was created, including details of donors, the church and royalty involved. I highly recommend this tour to anyone!
We really enjoyed having...
Amy W,Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We really enjoyed having what turned out to be a private tour of Oxford. Our guide, Hafeja, was a recent graduate and did a great job of mixing the history of the town and colleges with current info. She also personalized our tour based upon what we were most interested in seeing, rather than relying on a predetermined route.
Couldn’t have been better
wendybG7790DZ,Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely fabulous walking tour, with tour guide Chris Cochran, who was extremely informative & such a lovely gentleman 😊 We even took him up on his advice for getting the best chicken sandwich (in the world) & a great coffee from ‘Saint Clair Valentine Patisserie’ across the road from the tourist information centre - he wasn’t wrong, & it was cheap too! ❤️
Great way to get to know a lot about Oxford in a short time
Kim S,Oct 5, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Delightful tour! Really enjoyed it and I think we got the 'extended version'! Pay attention to meet up information as there are a lot of tours beginning in the same area and we were originally in the wrong spot!
brings Oxford's rich history to life
lauragoff,Jul 21, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Jacob was lovely and informative. Great tour with ability to customize to interests of the group.
Our guide was terrific
Laura T,Jan 25, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Murray was fantastic! He was knowledgeable, flexible, and fun. Very grateful for him and the view of Oxford he provided. Thank you!
City of Oxford walking tour. (Bodleian Libraries)
karenbB6545JV,Aug 27, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00City of Oxford walking tour. (Bodleian Libraries) we highly recommend this tour. Our guide Lucy told us so much about the history of Oxford and the colleges' that have been built through the ages. Monies given by individuals and families to build the wonderful colleges we see today.
Great tour
Anne F,Aug 20, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did this tour today and just wanted to say how interesting Jacob made the tour. Not only did we see the buildings we wanted, but we also got both a historical view of Oxford and some fascinating stories. Thanks again Jacob
Amazing tour Harry Potter tour of Oxford with Laura!
reznyu2,Jul 23, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just came back from the Harry Potter tour of Oxford with Laura. The four of us, including our our two kids, had a great time. I was nervous whether the kids would last through a two hour tour, but in flew by. Our 11 year old said, that it felt like only 45 minutes passed, and he could have continued. Both of the kids enjoyed Laura’s stories about Oxford. Laura is a native of Oxford, and shared a lot of fun tidbits about the city. We highly recommend this tour!
Not to be missed
Bruno P,Jul 19, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00De tour was excellent en Johannes Made it more special. Thanks City is really interesting and we discovered really interesting places.
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Operated by Visit Oxford Tours