Discover the best cultural tours in Oxford - from sightseeing tours and cultural experiences to adventure activities and day trips with top-rated local guides.
Cultural Tours in Oxford
Cultural tours in Oxford are the perfect way to explore the heart and soul of this remarkable destination.
Unlike standard sightseeing, cultural tours allow you to immerse yourself in the traditions, stories, and daily life
that make Oxford truly unique. These experiences often include visits to historic landmarks, vibrant neighborhoods,
bustling local markets, and cultural centers where the city’s rich heritage comes alive. Travelers can expect authentic
encounters such as tasting regional dishes prepared with age-old recipes, joining guided walks that highlight architectural
gems, or taking part in workshops that showcase local art and crafts. Beyond just seeing the sights, cultural tours create
meaningful opportunities to connect with the people of Oxford and better understand their history and way of life.
Whether you are a solo traveler, part of a group, or exploring with family, these tours are designed to be both educational
and memorable. They reveal layers of culture that ordinary trips often overlook. By joining a cultural tour in Oxford,
you not only witness its past and present but also become part of its ongoing story—carrying home lasting memories and
deeper appreciation of the destination.
See inside Oxford University, Harry Potter film site and the Bodleian Library on this authentic 2-hour Oxford student led tour. The tour gives you an insight into student life in this prestigious university and offers you in-depth history of many of the famous colleges and sights such All Souls College, Trinity College, Oriel College, Hertford College, Merton College, Radcliffe Camera, University Church of St Mary and many more.
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How does studying at Oxford University compare with studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Fun tour for Muggles of all ages. Guide will cater tour according to everyone's interests, introducing also Oxford heritage. Join tour to find out why we have over 1,000 reviews recommending this tour online!
Calling all fans of the world’s favourite wizard, this Oxford walking tour takes you to recognizable locations of the Harry Potter films. During this family-friendly tour, see the grand buildings of Oxford University and see inside the Divinity School—which featured as the infirmary & classroom space in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Learn of other literary legends that attended Oxford University.
Tour includes entry worth £3 per person inside the Divinity school at the Bodleian Library. Tour lasts average 90-120 minutes.
Notice: on dates when Divinity school is closed - see closures notices under What's not Included section- we instead visit New college.
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Walk through Oxford with someone who knows it from the inside. Our guides are Oxford students or graduates who combine personal experience with a deep knowledge of the city’s history and architecture. The 90-minute tour includes landmarks like the Sheldonian Theatre, Radcliffe Square, and the Bridge of Sighs.
The tour is entirely outdoors, focusing on Oxford’s streets, squares, and college exteriors. If selected when booking, AFTER THE WALKING TOUR ENDS, your experience can be enriched with a self-guided visit to New College, one of the university’s most historic and picturesque colleges.
You’ll pass through quiet college lanes and meadows where Lewis Carroll imagined Alice in Wonderland, C. S. Lewis envisioned the gateway to Narnia, and where Tolkien and J. K. Rowling studied, lived, and found inspiration. Along the way, you’ll admire the city’s striking mix of Gothic and Baroque architecture.
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Escape to Oxord has gained an enviable reputation for providing small, pesonable tours. Tours are restricted to around 10 persons making for a more intimate experience. This has proved to be a winning feature of our tours, allowing our clients to relax, take in their surroundings, ask questions and take photographs Daily tours commence at 11 am, 12 am and 2 pm. Oxford boasts the finest collection of historical buildings in the United Kingdom. Our Classic Oxford Walking tour takes visitors on a 90 - 120 minute meander through 1000 years of architectural and social history. We visit a number of iconic university and college buildings, discuss their origins, architects and purpose, while providing a rich vein of social history of the town and university. Among the sights you will see are Christ Church, the 11th century University Church of St Mary, the famous Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs, and much more. Where possible we will take clients inside university and college buildings.
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Discover Oxford's beautiful landmarks, colleges, and statues while going beyond the traditional view of the dreaming spires. This unique walking tour run by Uncomfortable Oxford engages with the politics of history and memory in the city and university.
It covers histories of empire, inequality, and race, class, and gender discrimination, highlighting how these legacies have an enduring impact on our modern lives.
This tour lasts for about 1.5hrs.
We will walk no more than two miles, but please be aware that cobble stones and uneven pavement may restrict the accessibility of this event.
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Discover the diverse heritage in the city of dreaming spires.
Unearth the stories of those who are often left out of traditional narratives of Oxford: Women, people of colour, and LQBTQIA+ individuals.
This guided journey around Oxford will go back in time to highlight the many ways women have historically experienced the urban space and family life, uncover how masculinities have shaped and been shaped by the university, and discuss queer experiences in the city.
Together we will analyse the urban landscape, discuss gendered geographies, and push back on social expectations.
All our tours are led by university researchers who have completed our official Uncomfortable Oxford training programme. Our guides combine expert knowledge and performance, ensuring each tour is a fun and educational experience.
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Designed to see the best of Oxford in a safe environment with the smallest group sizing we have ever done. With this specialised tour we take important measure to protect your health, and those around you. All our Oxford University student guides wear medical masks. In addition to this, group sizing is inline with Social Distancing Rules (currently we have the smallest group sizing of any tour company in Oxford). Furthermore, all guides must submit their temperature before providing the tour.
This tour has all the most famous sites in Oxford, with our unique guides providing a fun and entertaining insight into one of the most important cities in the world. See the world-famous sites such as the Bodleian Library and Christ Church – both of which were Harry Potter film sites! Get the inside story on Oxford ceremonies, student life, college rivalries and much, much more!
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Nothing captures the charm of England quite like a peaceful punt gliding along the calm waters of a river, surrounded by nature, meadows, and striking historic buildings. This 30-minute punting tour on the River Cherwell departs from the boathouse and passes some of Oxford’s most scenic spots, including the Botanic Gardens, Magdalen College School fields, Christ Church Meadows, and the gardens of St Hilda’s College — offering a chance to experience some of the most idyllic corners of Oxford.
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Experience Oxford's rich history on a 90-minute walking tour led by an Institute of Tourist Guiding professional and Guild of Guides member. Explore the city's origins from Anglo-Saxon times, the evolution of the university, its stunning architecture, libraries, and the vibrant student life of today. Oxford History tours offer real history for genuine history lovers.
Stroll through Oxford's iconic sites, including:
Radcliffe Camera
Divinity School
Bridge of Sighs
Bodleian Library
Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre
Medieval Colleges around every corner
Discover stories of patrons, artists, politicians, saints, scholars, rebels, and martyrs who shaped over 1,000 years of Oxford's history. This tour also includes practical tips to enhance your stay in Oxford.
The route passes famous film, television locations and literary legend.
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Discover the enchanting city of Oxford on a small-group walking tour with a local guide. Dive into this iconic city's vibrant, historic streets, renowned for its stunning architecture and the world-famous Oxford University.
Embark on a tour that takes you to Oxford's most celebrated landmarks and hidden gems. Uncover the secrets of the city that many visitors miss, learn about the rich traditions of Oxford University, and immerse yourself in the tales of its illustrious authors. Visit iconic Harry Potter film locations, wander off the beaten path through charming passageways, stroll along medieval streets, visit an ancient market and peek into a historic college for a truly unique experience.
By the end of the tour, you might find yourself ready to unwind with a drink and a bite to eat at an amazing market. This tour is perfect for couples, singles & families.
This Tour has been running on Airbnb since 2017, with over 700 reviews averaging 4.93. I'm confident you will enjoy it!
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Take this tour, the definitive guide to the most haunted locations in Oxford and led by a professional Guide. Be careful to arrive on time or they will have disappeared!
Hear the spookiest tales from around the historic city of Oxford, some documented in Haunted Oxford by a local author and Guide and learn more about Oxford’s most well known ghosts. This tour is a truly spooky experience with “heart-stopping accounts of apparitions, manifestations and related supernatural phenomena” and stories of “first-hand encounters with ghouls and spirits.”
Soak up the atmosphere on a misty dark night in Oxford, down winding and cobbled lanes, around the ancient colleges and past some of the oldest public houses in the UK, dating back nearly 900 years – (plenty of time to be haunted!).
Not really suitable for Under 10's - this is a 2 hour tour after dark!
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Join a tour that questions what is 'natural' at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
The term ‘Natural History’ might lead us to believe that the collections and research at the Museum are purely ‘natural’ and scientifically objective. This tour will challenge your understanding of science and scientific knowledge as we walk you through the main exhibits on a unique guided tour.
Throughout this museum tour, we delve into the intentions and implications of the museum’s collections. By flipping the lens from a ‘natural’ approach to an ‘unnatural’ construction, we explore the historical and ideological underpinnings of natural history museums, revealing a narrative shaped by human influence and selective choice.
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Take a day trip out of London and explore Oxford. Walkthrough this charming literary city as you discover its most iconic architectural, historical, and literary spots, with this immersive guide!
On this self-guided tour, narrated by an expert historian, we’ll visit the most famous historic buildings and architectural highlights. We’ll hear about the ancient tales that live in this city, as well as the story behind the birth of one of the world’s most famous universities and what it’s like to be a student at Oxford University!
We'll visit the most iconic spots such as Exeter and Jesus Colleges, Radcliffe Square, Bodleian Library and Sheldonian Theatre. Learn about the famous people that have lived in Oxford, and finish the tour by visiting the Martyrs Memorial to cap off this cultural adventure in this must-see picturesque city.
Note: This is a self-guided audio walking tour and does not include entrance tickets
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Explore the highlights of Oxford's two major art collections, at the Ashmolean Museum and Christ Church Picture Gallery, with an art historian and Sotheby’s specialist. Join me on a rich and entertaining journey through the history of European art, from Ancient Greece to French Impressionism. On the way, you’ll discover masterpieces ranging from Uccello's Hunt in the Forest, to Monet’s Sunset at Sea. Half way through, we’ll have a coffee break at Ashmolean’s Rooftop café. We’ll then walk to Christ Church Picture Gallery, part of Christ Church, one Oxford’s most famous colleges, to see masterpieces from their collection of mainly Italian paintings and drawings, including Botticelli's paintings of the Sybils, and Head of Young Woman by Verrocchio, one of the most beautiful drawings that remains from the Florentine Renaissance.
During the experience, you'll be introduced to specialist skills, including spotting painting restorations and identifying 15th century paper.
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Join a tour that dissects the long history of medical research and practice in Oxford!
The history of medicine is always a bit uncomfortable. This tour walks you through medical history in the city from medieval plagues, to the founding of the medical school, and the first trials of penicillin.
Far from a straightforward linear progression, Oxford’s medical history is a complicated conversation about health equity, medical ethics, and continued clashes over the control of the body.
All our tours are led by university researchers who have completed our official Uncomfortable Oxford training programme. Our guides combine expert knowledge and performance, ensuring each tour is a fun and educational experience.
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Our cultural tours in Oxford are carefully curated to provide authentic experiences led by knowledgeable local guides.
Each tour is designed to highlight the traditions, history, and unique stories that make Oxford special, ensuring you
leave with a deeper connection to the destination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cultural Tours in Oxford
Cultural tours in Oxford usually include visits to historic sites, cultural landmarks, local markets,
and interactive experiences that reflect the traditions and daily life of the city.
Yes, cultural tours in Oxford are family-friendly. They offer engaging activities for adults and children,
making them educational and fun for all ages.
Tour lengths vary depending on the itinerary. Some tours last just a few hours, while others
may take a full day or even span multiple days.
No special preparation is needed. Just bring comfortable clothing, curiosity, and an open mind.
Your guide will provide all the necessary information during the tour.
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