Christ Church
Christ Church
4.5
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- MTMHampshire690 contributionsExcellent place to visitVery beautiful place to see. We did the self guided tour which involved a head set and iPad type device. To go around the college and cathedral took about an hour. The Great Hall is used for meals so I think closed at those times. We went at 2pm and were able to go in.Visited October 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 25, 2023
- Toria ⭐️San Francisco, California331 contributionsChrist Church Oxford 🇬🇧Really wonderful experience. The self guided tours are £15 for students and last about 45 mins to 1 hour. ** Be aware that during certain days/times some of the buildings will be closed as this is still an active university. If you want to ensure that you’re able to see the great hall be careful when selecting your time slot. ** I booked sunday at 2pm and was able to enter every room on the tour. It will certainly be busy and filled with tourists so best of luck to those looking to take photos but totally worth it nonetheless.Visited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 12, 2023
- George67 contributionsA must for Harry Potter fans!We were on a self guided tour of Harry Potter locations in Oxford so knew Christ Church was a must. We got to see the stairs from some of the films aswell as the cloisters and the inspiration for the Great Hall whilst there. We had plenty of time to explore and would definitely return in future.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 27, 2024
- Jennifer W42 contributionsExcellent self guided audio tour of ChristChurch college and cathedralThis audio tour is worth doing if you want to appreciate the history behind the grand buildings and have a glimpse at life “on the inside”. We’ll paced, good information, historic and modern. Worth your time and money.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 25, 2024
- Jebediah_SolomonHong Kong, China375 contributionsDon't miss itI loved it. This is one of the more memorable colleges compared to all the others. The beautiful ceilings, courtyards, grounds....there is so much history attached to this place. And it's still living. Harry Potter fans will recognise the great hall which is still used as a cafeteria to the date. Ended up just hanging out here. Sitting and chatting by the lavender which was in full bloom.Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten July 6, 2024
- Mary W14 contributionsAvoid the guided tour. Rent the headphone tour.Christ Church College is a must visit in Oxford, especially for Harry Potter fans. We booked a guided tour and regret it. Our tour guide, who never did tell us his name, clearly knew very little about Christ College. He carried a small tablet and read about the next stop as he led us from place to place. He was unable to answer questions and had difficulty explaining the reasons for some traditions (my husband almost broke in to explain Oxford University’s interesting relationship with Greenwich Mean Time when the tour guide got confused and couldn’t figure it out). Otherwise, highly recommend.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 9, 2024
- N DLincolnshire, United Kingdom1,509 contributionsDifficult to BookTickets are released on a Friday for the week ahead so there’s a bit of a scramble if you want a particular tour - which we failed to get. Having failed on the website, I called the number given. I got no reply so left my number but no one got back to me. I managed to book the 30 minute tour which was good, but a complete whirlwind and you had to leave as soon as it was completed. I think I would have preferred the self tour. The actual college is beautiful and you can access the Thames from the grounds. We didn’t get to see much in our allotted 30 minutes but what we did see was very interesting.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 22, 2024
- permia65,524 contributionsMagnificent Dining Hall and so much moreThere are so many grand buildings in the vast campus. It was a pleasure visiting those allowed on the tour and seeing the facades of many others. Over more than an hour and with the informative audioguide, highlights were the fabulous Great Dining Hall and the magnificent Cathedral. It was also interesting to see the No Peel carved on one of the doors. Sir Robert Peel was a supporter of the 1829 Catholic Emancipation Bill. But there was much opposition, as per this inscription.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 25, 2024
- Judy S7 contributionsA must see if you visit OxfordWhat an amazing place! This college has got the tour thing right, with an audio guide that takes you round very efficiently and informatively. From the road it looks big, but that is just a tiny part of what awaits inside. The grounds are huge and so are the buildings, with magnificent architecture dating back hundreds of years. The chapel is the last major part of the tour and is breathtaking, including some rare medieval stained glass windows.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 11, 2024
- Paul BurnsLondon, United Kingdom2 contributionsGreat history and beautiful buildingsOne of the landmark colleges of Oxford with lots of interesting things to see. I think some scenes from Harry Potter movies were filmed in the Dining Hall. The highlight for me was the college Cathedral. There was a guided tour and the guide was a graduate of Christ Church who gave us some very interesting and sometimes amusing facts about the things we were seeing. Some famous people are associated with the Cathedral, among them John Wesley who was ordained there.Visited September 2024Traveled soloWritten September 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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madabout V
Tredegar, UK14 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Entry to this college costs £15 each. We decided to give it a go, but then was told the college would be closing in 30mins at 11:30am and wouldn't reopen until 2:30pm.
We found most colleges in Oxford recommended to visit we're closed on Monday. It was term time.
Oxford tourist information office was unhelpful and it charge 80p for a small map. I found the people selling the red bus city tours knowledgeable and gave me a free map.
Oxford is very expensive. Careful what you pay for. We saw lots of tourists on walking tours just stood outside the colleges being told about them from the street, because entry to them was either unavailable because the college was closed, or it cost a lot to go in.
We found most colleges in Oxford recommended to visit we're closed on Monday. It was term time.
Oxford tourist information office was unhelpful and it charge 80p for a small map. I found the people selling the red bus city tours knowledgeable and gave me a free map.
Oxford is very expensive. Careful what you pay for. We saw lots of tourists on walking tours just stood outside the colleges being told about them from the street, because entry to them was either unavailable because the college was closed, or it cost a lot to go in.
Written March 7, 2020
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.
Dhara S
62 contributions
May 2019
this place has all the hype about harry porter shootings taking place. The ticket is pricy and i would not recommend spending money just to see one hall that was ever part of harry porter movies. The time i visited this place, there were exams going on, so we were not even allowed to see half of the spots on the campus. But the whole christ church campus is awesome. Huge, and artistic. Excellent architecture. Worth taking a 3D shot. But unfortunately the fountain was not functioning :( and we were not even allowed to walk towards it. Can get crowded.
Written January 10, 2020
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.
KTS
United Kingdom66 contributions
Feb 2020
The ticket prices have recently changed and it is now pretty expensive if you just want to wander through the college (as some of the other colleges allow - free of charge). A real shame that there aren't different tickets to allow for different opportunities. We didn't want to do the whole 90 minute audio tour with a huge crowd of Harry Potter fans. We didn't bother. Shame.
Written February 22, 2020
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.
Paulina Nignol
London, UK87 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
he best there is in Oxford! Worth every penny. The tour lasts about 1.5 hours with the audio guide, which is very interesting unlike so many others, there is quality information in this one.
If you are in Oxford this is not to be missed :)
I strongly recommend going at the last entry time 15-45 because you get to see the choir practice in the church before service and its just amazing!
And of course if you are a Harry Potter fan, you will spot the filming spots right away!
If you are in Oxford this is not to be missed :)
I strongly recommend going at the last entry time 15-45 because you get to see the choir practice in the church before service and its just amazing!
And of course if you are a Harry Potter fan, you will spot the filming spots right away!
Written August 28, 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.
Mike R
Exeter, UK38 contributions
Sep 2020
There are two types of people on these tours. People like me with a strong interest in social history, fantastic buildings and general tourist attraction architecture, people etc.
Then there are people who like the Harry Potter film locations. I personally can't be bothered with that but if you like it then that's all good.
Alex our tourguide was knowledgeable and engaging and because we went in Covid 19 Times it was very quite. Getting to see it without the hoards of tourists milling around was a real benefit. Usually its audioguide stuff which is certainly good but having a guide was excellent.
Go and do it if you get a chance.
Then there are people who like the Harry Potter film locations. I personally can't be bothered with that but if you like it then that's all good.
Alex our tourguide was knowledgeable and engaging and because we went in Covid 19 Times it was very quite. Getting to see it without the hoards of tourists milling around was a real benefit. Usually its audioguide stuff which is certainly good but having a guide was excellent.
Go and do it if you get a chance.
Written September 19, 2020
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.
Trek463820
51 contributions
Jul 2022
Book in advance online because we got here in the afternoon via the hop on hop off tour bus but all the available tickets for the day were unfortunately sold out according to the signs. Had to buy an item from the shop opposite to get a code for the toilets. Walked through some of the meadow area but it was very dusty due to the recent hot weather so took a few photos of the exterior of Christ Church before moving on.
Written August 2, 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.
NorthStar147466
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
The gothic buildings and general setting are fantastic, but the audio guide lets down what would otherwise be a very interesting self guided tour. The information given in the guide is pretty basic and is consistantly laced with a self-egrandising undertone of arrogance and privilege. The relatively new visitor centre is an organisational shambles and the whole experience just lets down what would be an otherwise pleasent experience. Go walking in the meadows or go and watch the punters instead - or if you really want to go in and see the spectacular gothic architecture, pay the unavoidable price for the audio guide and leave the headphones firmly unplugged.
Written July 10, 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.
LisaVienna4034
Vienna, Austria587 contributions
Jul 2022
I came here on a Wednesday evening for evensong - I didn’t tour the campus (evensong is free; entrance to the campus has a fee), but you walk across the Quad to get to the building where evensong is. The singing is lovely and the service is short. The entire visit was about 40 minutes.
Written July 16, 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.
fortybefore40
United Kingdom352 contributions
Oct 2021
We had so much fun at Christ Church college! First up make sure you go to the visitors centre with your pre booked ticket email. We wandered for ages at each doorway for the college before we found the visitors centre it's a large barn type structure as you go into Christ Church meadows. There's a gift shop there too. You pick up your headset for the self guided tour and head over to the entrance opposite. We went first thing on a Saturday and it wasn't busy, you can spend as much time as you like listening to the history and looking around. The highlights for me were Old Tom - it ring son the hour so make sure you are there at some point its really impressive! The Harry Potter staircase (great photo op!) You might also recognise the fall tower from the movies too. The cathedral windows are beautiful and I enjoyed learning about St Frideswide. I imagine ti would get busier throughout the day and mid week when there are more students about. Sadly the great Hall was closed but the tour still covers it and we knew this before we booked so we weren't disappointed.
Written October 25, 2021
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.
oldgoat15
Leicester, UK25 contributions
Sep 2020 • Solo
I paid 15 pounds online for a tour, pricey as it was a restricted tour but probably worth it because there are very few tourists!
Lots of photo ops with nobody about, the dining hall was empty and so were the quads. The cathedral was closed so we missed out on that.
We had to make do with a porter showing us round and an audio guide but overall a good tour of an impressive institution.
Lots of photo ops with nobody about, the dining hall was empty and so were the quads. The cathedral was closed so we missed out on that.
We had to make do with a porter showing us round and an audio guide but overall a good tour of an impressive institution.
Written September 14, 2020
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.
Website days the tours are good to go.. but it seems that it is still closed to visitors. Can anyone confirm if it is closed to visitors? Thanks!
Written December 3, 2020
It was closed to visitors in October unless they were there for worship. I suspect that is still the case.
Written December 3, 2020
Hi! We will be in Oxford on the 20th and 21st of June (Sat and Sunday). What is the best day/ time to visit Christ Church (when its not packed with tourists)?
Written February 20, 2020
We were there in the afternoon also and when school was not in session. Not very crowded. We stopped there from the HopOn / Hop Off bus which we recommend.
Written March 8, 2020
We have booked a stay at Christchurch College and wondered about parking. If there is no parking on site can anyone recommend where to park please?
Any other suggestions for a nice weekend would be good too. Thank you
Written September 5, 2019
Parking is difficult in Oxford, very limited and expensive, ideally park in the “park and ride” and bus into town. If you have to come in (and the center is pedestrianised) I believe west gate has a multi-storey car park or near the station by the castle has an open air pay and display option.
Written September 7, 2019
Bonjour,
Combien de temps vous a pris votre visite du college de christ church ? Merci
Written July 31, 2019
Hi, with the ticket bought in the official web site (general admission), can we go around and see Harry Potter places? Or is necessary to buy the tour?
Written March 6, 2019
You can go around and see harry potter places
Written March 19, 2019
vorrei sapere se una volta acquistato online il biglietto esso deve essere ritirato fisicamente o è sufficiente il biglietto elettronico via email.
Written August 14, 2018
In genere basta il biglietto elettronico che da la priorità, a Berlino funzionava così. In questo caso facevo parte di un gruppo con prenotazione e quindi siamo entrati all’ora fissata.
Written August 22, 2018
How much time do I need to explore Christ Church? One hour or longer?
Written July 19, 2018
cllanos73
Lima, Peru
'Hola, saben si hay guía en español que hable sobre los detalles de Christ Church (Oxford)? o es que el precio de la entrada incluye un guía? Me refiero a los detalles de la Iglesia, las escaleras y el Great Hall
Tengan un buen dia.
Written April 12, 2018
Is there a dress code for Sunday services in the Chapel?
Written January 28, 2018
Keep it a little less casual than pyjamas, but no need to go super smart. Just like a regular church service, really (normal clothes are fine).
Written April 26, 2018
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