Tours of Oxford private walking tours for the Discerning Traveler
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Tours of Oxford private walking tours for the Discerning Traveler

By Tours of Oxford, Private Walking Tours of Oxford for the Discerning Traveller
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 0-99
Duration: 2h 15m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Private Tour, exclusively for you, your family, colleagues and friends
  • Entrance fees to colleges and University as applicable
  • Designated meeting point. Plus we offer hotel pick ups (central Oxford only)
  • Entry/Admission - University of Oxford


Start:
  • Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG, UK
    The Weston Library is situated on Broad Street opposite The Sheldonian Theatre and The Clarendon Building in the heart of the Old University Quarter. Look for a Tours of Oxford sign with your name(s) on it - your guide will be attached.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Stroller accessible
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 26932P1

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travelers can participate
    • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age 8. 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.
    • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 26932P1

    From
    $178.08
    per group (up to 6)
    Select date and travelers

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG, UK
      The Weston Library is situated on Broad Street opposite The Sheldonian Theatre and The Clarendon Building in the heart of the Old University Quarter. Look for a Tours of Oxford sign with your name(s) on it - your guide will be attached.
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    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • LLPProsper_Tx
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Oxford with a graduate
      I’ve been to Oxford before with a guide but this time I heard stories and a perspective one can only hear from a graduate of the university. Chris Peters did a lovely job of helping our group see his university through this eyes. He gave us great tips on gift shops and lunch options. He told us how it felt to be a student and what one has to go through. He told stories that kept us interested. I wish our tour had been longer.
      Written June 8, 2018
    • insearchoflight
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Insightful and fun
      Chris Peters walked us through Oxford’s highlights, unveiling details of history, iconography, personalities and more. We had a wonderful experience!
      Written May 22, 2018
    • pauline1944
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      The city of Oxford
      We travelled to Oxford with train line from Marylebone London for ÂŁ10 each return. As we are retired did not have to pay from Orpington to Marylebone. It was one hour from Marylebone. We opted for the audio tour, which was very interesting and allowed us to do the tour at our own pace. The city was wonderful and only a short journey from station to the centre. If you go by train at the special price. You have to put the outbound and inbound time when you book the ticket and can only travel at times on the ticket
      Written February 27, 2018
    • Elke S
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Seeing Oxford from many different angles... with a pinch of humour :-)
      We had Chris as our tour guide and it was an absolutely amazing experience. He shared his vast knowledge of history and (high as well as everyday) culture of Oxford and its colleges (e.g. history of the colleges, the rowing competition between Oxford and Cambridge, location used for films...). He was responsive to our interests and had an answer to every question we had. What I personally particularly liked was his (British) sense of humour - quite dry and absolutely hilarious. As an English teacher in Austria I often come to the UK with my students - next time, I'll definitely book a tour with Chris.
      Written December 13, 2016
    • boblovesnat
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Top notch tour
      We booked this tour through our hotel, The Old Bank, and we're quite pleased. Our guide, Chris, had an exceptional breadth of knowledge regarding the history of oxford with a few added nuggets. Oxford has an enormous amount of visitors, Chris will take you to the places of solitude as well for appropriate reflection.
      Written October 23, 2016
    • Donnajer
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Memorable walking tour
      This was one of the best tours I have ever been on. Our guide Chris has a warm and friendly style and everyone is made to feel welcome on the tour. His depth of knowledge of the history of Oxford and associated anecdotes make this both educational and entertaining for all age groups. I was only in Oxford for the day and Chris helped make it memorable. This was a delightful find - highly recommended.
      Written October 7, 2016
    • frank139
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fascinating
      We booked a tour with Chris because we had some friends over from North Carolina USA. Their daughter is spending the Summer over here, studying English literature, so we asked for some extra focus on writers who lived and worked in Oxford. Our friends were enthralled by all the little stories and the special places Chris showed us - he knows every inch of this city and some of the little alleyways and courtyards we would never have found by ourselves. We warmly recommend this tour. It is extremely good value for money and quite unforgettable. Thank you Chris!
      Written June 23, 2016
    • JamesD000
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great manner and fun
      Chris was our guide. He had a great manner and was a lot of fun to walk around with. He kept our 20 and 16 year olds engaged and interested and balanced the interests really well. He was enthusiastic and passionate about his subject matter and this was obvious and it made a difference.
      Written June 22, 2016
    • Carol D
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Bus tours, very informative
      We did this bus tour (red and/or green bus) throughout the city, you can hop on and off as much as u want and ur ticket lasts 24/48 hrs.
      Written June 1, 2016
    See all 42 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles33 reviews
    Excellent
    33
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    Travellhound
    Cheltenham, UK312 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2024 • Couples
    We met Chris on what is probably one of the coldest days of 2024 and we asked for a tour with insight into how the university came to be how it is today. Chris was fantastic; engaging and entertaining in equal measure and, despite the very cold temperatures, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him, learning loads in the process. Even my husband, who is an alumnus himself, learnt plenty of interesting facts and information. Chris managed to explain the history of how the colleges formed, interweaving history, religion, culture and architecture - fascinating! Would highly recommend if you are in Oxford.
    Written December 1, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Michael R
    11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Chris was an amazing tour guide. His knowledge of history and the university was incredible, and his personality and passion shine through in every tour he gives.

    My wife and I only had a few hours in Oxford, and we didn’t realize we were traveling there right in the middle of hundreds of graduation ceremonies and parties. Even though it was a very busy day and many locations were closed, it didn’t phase Chris. He still gave us a wonderful tour and found additional stops where we could go inside and look around, allowing us to make the most of our time.

    While we spent 2 hours with him, I think we could have spent days chatting about British history and seeing the sites. He gave us great recommendations for dining and shopping while we were in town as well. This is a 5 star tour company, and Chris was a 5 star guide!
    Written July 4, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    So pleased you enjoyed yourselves so much and many many thanks for your truly wonderful review which is very much appreciated. It was fun though amid the hustle and bustle of graduation to explore Oxford together and find places far from the madding crowd. Needless to say you were perfect company and made my afternoon. And thanks too for the positive feedback on my dining and shopping recommendations. And, yes, I could have gladly spent days chatting British history with you. Next time!
    Written July 5, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Lisa P
    Denver, Colorado, United States15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2024 • Friends
    Chris Peters led our group of 6 friends on an amazing 2+ hour tour of Oxford. Chris has an incredible knowledge of and passion for the the art, the architecture and the history of Oxford. He set the pace and focus of our tour based on what we were most interested in seeing and learning. Chris was extremely engaging throughout the tour, sharing stories and his intimate knowledge of university. The combination of Chris' humor, knowledge, and passion really made the history feel so accessible. Our only disappointment was that we didn't have more time! If you want to get the most out of your tour of Oxford, you need Chris Peters as your guide! Thank you, Chris!
    Written October 22, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    bruggesfc
    Miami Beach, FL309 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2023
    Just returned from UK and Tour of Oxford was one of the highlights of our trip. Tour guide was so very knowledgeable and having lived in Oxford as part of the University could give some great insight into the school. He wanted to know what we were interested in and tailored the tour accordingly. He was on no time schedule and really gave us a wonderful tour of so much of the university. Highly recommend this tour to get a feeling of what Oxford is all about.
    Written July 23, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Glad you so enjoyed our tour together and that it was one of the highlights of your UK holiday. And many thanks to for the fab recommendation. Appreciated. We always try to tailor our tours to the interests of our guests, it's part of our service, Oxford offering such a diversity of things to discover and enjoy. It goes without saying, how much I enjoyed your company too: fun, interesting and appreciative people always make for great tours. Again, thank you so much for your company and kind, appreciative, words.
    Written July 27, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    fastlearner333
    Bellevue, WA10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2023
    Chris Peters is a gem full of knowledge. He kept my teen sons entertained for hours with his wealth of historical data, personal experiences, entertaining stories and anecdotal quips. Chris brought Oxford to life for our family.... a highlight of England for us! If you are going to Oxford, hire this treasure of a guide to answer all your questions and highlight all this area has to offer.
    Written April 17, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thanks so much for the Gold Star! And being a Treasure too! You and your family were a treasure as well - I thoroughly enjoyed your company, the questions and interest: in fact, the perfect day out for us all.
    Written April 29, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Sandra P
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2024 • Couples
    We loved meeting Chris and exploring the city with him as our guide. We traveled from Mexico to discover more about the english culture and Oxford was a surprise. I enjoyed hearing about the bookstores, Oxford University and somo of the colleges, the most famous writers, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien. Another thing that I loved was that Chris shared with us his personal experience in Oxford, studiying and living there. He is a jem! We had the best time. Thank you Chris!! Hope we met again.
    Written October 8, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Tom C
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sep 2024 • Couples
    Chris Peters met us as scheduled at the front entrance to an Oxford landmark. Our tour was thorough but unhurried. We had been to the city briefly many years before, and yet we saw both the town and the University with new eyes. Chris attended Oxford and decided to become a guide for folks like us after his retirement. This meant that he knew a lot of things in depth. Further, as an Alumnus, he was able to show us a few things that would not have been open to us otherwise.

    Chris was a fountain of information, including many quirky, offbeat or even bizarre bits of wisdom. These included the admission and operation of All Souls College, which has no students (!), or a bookstore what has 5km of shelves in a single underground room, which is not all directly underneath the store. From architecture to theology, from ingredients in the mix of factors that created the Renaissance to Harry Potter film locations, two Yanks got an education at Oxford! (And the tuition was quite reasonable, given Oxford's normal rates...)

    One piece of advice: You will learn much more if you don't just listen. Listen, discuss, and ask questions. Chris is up for it...
    Written December 26, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for such a splendid and informative review. I especially value your note on interaction. As you point out, I thrive on discussion, questions and opinions all of which make for the very best of tours, as our was: 'two yanks' at Oxford delighting in learning about this quirky, labyrinthine and magical place and, as all good 'tutorials' always are, actively partaking in such an enjoyable adventure. All so very much appreciated. Thank you!
    Written January 7, 2025
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Christina L
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our guide Chris contacted us ahead of the tour to check on what our interests are to make sure the tour was tailored specifically for us.
    The children were delighted to see places where some Harry Potter scenes were filmed.
    Without our guide Chris, there was no way we would have seen the parts of the colleges that we did.
    Our guide was highly knowledgeable in local history and able to answer any questions we asked. Highly recommend. Thank you again Chris.
    Written April 8, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    And thank you all for such good, amiable company! Pleased your children evidently enjoyed themselves - a little bit of shared Oxford magic for everyone! And thanks as well for our time in Blackwell's. All so very much appreciated.
    Written April 9, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    CatherineBond
    London, UK15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2023 • Couples
    We are two couples in our 60s who wanted a proper historical tour of Oxford (without Harry Potter stuff!) Chris was a mine of information. He explained the origins of Oxford and why it became the leading centre of teaching. We adored our trip around the Bodleian, Trinity and New College - without a guide we would never have found all the treasures. We would all recommend Chris highly!
    Written October 19, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for such praise and recommendation. It was fun, wasn't it! And you made ideal companions to explore Oxford with! So pleased you enjoyed your time with me so much.
    Written March 6, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    mytimenow
    Perth, Australia305 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Chris took my husband and I on a walk around some of the very interesting University spots in Oxford. His knowledge was wide and varied and obviously he had personal experience of being a student which made the tour so interesting. Lots of stories and details you would miss out on if you simply walked about yourselves. We had some laughs along the way and saw inside buildings we never would have entered otherwise. Definitely worth doing and highly recommended
    Written April 28, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you! You were a pleasure (and a lot of fun!) to explore Oxford with and so pleased you enjoyed yourselves so much.
    Written April 29, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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