This comprehensive guide will help you make the most of your experience when visiting Oxford University. The university’s reputation as the world’s top-ranked institution for six straight years attracts visitors globally for an unforgettable tour of Oxford. Yet its true charm lies within its 39 historic colleges and tucked-away quadrangles throughout the city of Oxford.
The University of Oxford, established in 1096, remains the oldest institution in the English-speaking world.
Our experience shows that the best way to experience Oxford University comes through Oxford walking tours. Many colleges and museums open their doors to visitors daily. The Oxford city tour takes you to both free attractions and exclusive areas, including iconic locations like the Bodleian Library and the oldest purpose-built museum in the world. Bodleian Library tours are particularly popular among history enthusiasts and book lovers alike.
Let us direct you through this historic institution where international students make up almost half of the 25,000-strong student body. From planning your Oxford England tours to discovering secret spots known only to alumni, you’ll get to experience all of Oxford’s remarkable treasures and delve into Oxford’s rich history.
Book your Oxford Guided Tours and learn all about Oxford History Today
Which Oxford Tour ?
There are so many Walking tours what do you recommend? Simple Oxford Magic Walking tours as they are the only Tour company in Oxford that provides entertainment on their tours of oxford university. The guides are professional Magicians that have entertained and continue to entertain the British Royal family so you are getting Good Quality Entertainment. Also Check out their reviews on TripAdvisor and Google All 5 Stars by their customers they have also won multiple awards Voted BEST TOUR IN OXFORD. So if you are a family a couple or solo traveler and like History Filming Locations Entertainment and a tour that does not break the bank This tour is a must on your oxford Visit. But do not take our word just google oxford magic tours tours oxford what to do and take a look at their reviews.
If you are staying the night in Oxford You should also check out a ghost tour of the university there is so much gruesome history it would be a shame to miss it. There are also Tours from Oxford to the Cotswolds.
Planning Your Oxford Walking Tours in 2025
Your walking tour 2025 will take you through a unique city layout. Oxford doesn’t follow a campus design – its historic buildings spread throughout the compact Oxford city centre [1]. You’ll find everything within walking distance, and the main rail and coach stations are just minutes away, making it easy to join guided tours Oxford.
Did you know? that Oxford University colleges do not have any name placards outside the buildings so you have no idea what you are looking at and it can be very difficult to navigate and One of the main reasons you should take a walking tour In Oxford with an Alumni Guide at Oxford magic tours.
July brings pleasant temperatures around 23°C , making summer (June-August) the most popular time for Oxford historical tours. The crowds can get overwhelming though. You might want to think about coming during autumn to see the city’s parks in stunning colors, or winter if you prefer fewer tourists .
Our Magic Tour Tickets start at £15 per person . These 90-minute guided tours around Oxford allow you to access historic sites like the Divinity School [3]. Alumni guides also lead Oxford student-led tours that give you real insights into student life and Oxford University admission tips .
Groups and families have many options for custom public and Oxford private tour options:
Standard tours run for 90 minutes and cost about £15 per person
Tours in French, Spanish, German, or Italian can be a little more
College entry fees range from £2 to £20 per person and of course some are free
Colleges allow no more than 22 people in a group. Book ahead during peak seasons. Each college sets its own visiting hours, so check their websites before you go.
Oxford Magic walking tours give out a free map you can collect from where they depart at 13 Broad Street OX1 3AS or download it here before you head out [1]. The cobblestone streets make comfortable shoes a must [6]. Oxford weather changes quickly, so dress accordingly.
People with accessibility needs should reach out to venues directly. Many historic buildings have special access routes available
More information on walking tours of oxford.
Must-Visit Oxford Colleges and Their Hidden Gems
My time as a student here at Oxford revealed amazing treasures hidden inside its historic colleges. Student life is always discussed on the Oxford college tours.
Christ Church ranks as the most popular and impressive college for visitors The grand dining hall holds a fascinating secret – HARRY POTTER was not filmed in the hall! Art lovers can visit the college’s Picture Gallery through Canterbury Gate off Oriel Square. This purpose-built gallery showcases valuable Old Master paintings . Adult tickets cost £20
Magdalen College has earned its reputation as Oxford’s spookiest college . Students tell tales of George Napier’s headless ghost from 1568. His heavy footsteps still echo through his former home . The college library holds a more charming secret – a bookcase that doubles as a hidden door . Fellows enjoy a private shortcut from their common room to Hall through a concealed passage in the Cloister’s outer wall These hidden passages make Magdalen a highlight of any Oxford ghost tour.
New College proudly houses the oldest dining hall in any English-speaking institution . Movie fans recognize its Cloisters for the famous “Harry Potter tree” where Mad-Eye Moody turned Draco Malfoy into a ferret. The college pioneered the quadrangle design, which later became a model for institutions worldwide , showcasing the best of Oxford architecture. Click for More about Harry Potter In Oxford
Trinity College welcomes visitors with peaceful gardens and sprawling lawns . Students here enjoy a rich community life with their own orchestra and drama society. Summer brings the beloved tradition of croquet matches on the college lawns offering a glimpse into unique Oxford traditions.
Balliol College stands as one of Oxford’s oldest institutions since 1263, making it almost 800 years old and predating the Aztec Empire by 165 years. Its beautiful chapel and landscaped gardens create a peaceful haven in the bustling Oxford city centre.
Don’t miss Exeter College, known for its stunning chapel and connection to famous alumni like JRR Tolkien. The college’s garden offers breathtaking views of Radcliffe Camera and the Bodleian Library, making it a must-see on any Oxford sightseeing itinerary.
Beyond the Colleges: Oxford's Lesser-Known Attractions
Our Oxford University tours showcase famous colleges, but the city holds amazing attractions beyond its academic walls. My time as an Oxford alumnus helped me find hidden gems that most visitors miss when deciding what to do in Oxford.
Book lovers should head to The Eagle and Child pub, which locals lovingly call “the Bird and Baby.” Please note (This pub is closed at the moment for refurbishment it is said to be complete by the end of 2025. As with any project, this can change.) The famous Inklings writers’ group, including JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, made this their regular meeting spot. CS Lewis shared the first proofs of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe here in June 1950. The Inklings later moved to The Lamb and Flag across St Giles Street after The Eagle and Child’s modernization in 1962. These locations are essential stops for those interested in Oxford’s literary heritage.
After Your Oxford UK Tours You should visit these remarkable museums and Oxford attractions which are all pointed out on Our tour of oxford
The Ashmolean Museum – Britain’s oldest public museum holds Tolkien’s inspiration for the Lord of the Rings in its collection of Posie rings
Natural History Museum – houses Albert Einstein’s Chalk Board
University Church of St. Mary – a beautiful example of Oxford’s architectural heritage
For those interested in Oxford filming locations, many spots around the city have been featured in popular movies and TV shows, including several Harry Potter film locations.
Whether you’re on an Oxford free walking tour or a private guided experience, the city’s rich history and academic prestige offer something for everyone. From exploring the colleges to discovering hidden literary gems, Oxford’s charm lies in its ability to blend centuries of tradition with modern academic excellence.
We highly recommend Oxford Magic Walking tours which was also voted best walking tour in Oxford