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90 Minute Classic Walking Tour of Oxford: Exploring 1000 Years of Architectural and Social History
4.9
137 Ratings
Oxfordshire
Discover the rich architectural and social history of Oxford on a 90-minute walking tour. Explore iconic buildings like Christ Church and the Bodleian Library.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Martyrs’ Memorial - The meeting point. Tours commence from here at 11 am and 2 pm daily. This memorial celebrates the lives of three Anglican clerics burned at the stake for Heresy in the 16th century.
- Bodleian Library - We move into the Scholastic Quadrangle and discover how Oxford University’s world-famous research library grew from the ashes of the reformation.
- Sheldonian Theatre - See the ground-breaking architecture of renowned English architect Christopher Wren’s first major project, built in 1669
- History of Science Museum - Highly significant in the cultural history of the Western world, the very first purpose-built public museum.
- Bridge of Sighs - Built in 1913 the iconic Bridge of Sighs adds a romantic touch to our walk.
- High Street - Oxford’s famous High Street is a history lesson in itself, not only in terms of the colleges we see where the likes of CS Lewis, Shelly, Bob Hawke and Bill Clinton studied but its fascinating architecture stretching back hundreds of years.
- Magpie Lane - Traverse the narrow winding and infamous Magpie Lane to the High Street.
- Radcliffe Camera - Set in the Radcliffe Square the very heart of Oxford’s world-renowned University precinct, visitors will find themselves surrounded by history on all sides. This is where it all began!
- Christ Church - Enter through St Aldates gate, see the splendid views of Christ Church, the Meadow Building, Merton Field where James Sadler became the first English aeronaut, the Deans Garden, Dead Man’s Walk, exit through the Kissing Gate.
- Carfax Tower - Landmark 23m-high bell tower, once part of a 12th-century church, offering city views from the top.
- Queen’s College - Passing Queens College we enter Queens Lane, claimed to be the most haunted site in Oxford, we pass St Edmund’s Hall the very last medieval hall in Oxford, the ancient St Peter’s Church in the East, New College which is actually built on a plague pit. This is lovely walk through the winding back streets of the city.
What's Included
- Guides can inform about transport, accommodations, and more.
What's Not Included
- Dogs are not allowed on university and college property
Additional Information
Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 participants, ensuring a more intimate experience. This feature has been a key differentiator for our tours, setting us apart from competitors. Daily tours start at 11 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm. Oxford proudly preserves its architectural heritage, offering what is arguably the finest collection of historical buildings in the United Kingdom. Our Classic Oxford Walking Tour guides visitors on a leisurely 90-120 minute journey through 1000 years of architectural and social history. Participants will not only see some of the most iconic civic and university buildings in Oxford but also learn about their origins, architects, and purposes, enriched with the town and university’s social history. Highlights include Christ Church, the 11th-century University Church of St Mary where the University began, the renowned Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs, and much more. Whenever possible, we will take clients inside university and college buildings.
Location
Martyrs' Memorial
Magdalen Street
Across the road from thecRandolph Hotel
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(137 Ratings)
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Lera_k
Aug 27, 2024
Inside on the Oxford life and great history behind it. - It was such a pleasure to have a tour with Andrew Parker! He is a sweet gentleman that has great sense of human and true English manners. It was great seeing Oxford and learn so much about it, also the insides on the college life is quite interesting.
I do love the fact that this is a small group tour and it feels more like having a friend with you showing around and not like a flock of birds running around ( I don’t like big group tours).
Truly grateful and appreciate Andrew for a great time!
Review provided by Viator
956mervynb
Aug 26, 2024
The Perfect Guide for The Classic Walking Tour in Oxford - My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our Classic WalkingTour with our wonderland guide Jonathan Self. So knowable and just such a nice man. Having been a student at Oxford himself he was so passionate about his subject. We absolutely loved it. M Baxter
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Sarah_c
Aug 25, 2024
A must do - Brilliant tour and our guide was fabulous- he knew so much and shared it with us in such a way as to make the history of the city come alive.
Review provided by Viator
Tony
Aug 22, 2024
A must for anyone visiting Oxford - An excellent walking tour. Small group, there were only 4 of us! Informative and definitely worth it, we would have missed the hidden gems by just consulting a guide book! Our tour lead was Andrew whose communication before the tour was clear and his historical knowledge was really interesting. Highly recommend!
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Charlie_l
Aug 18, 2024
Oxford collegiate life through the ages - Our Guide, Andrew Parker, was most entertaining with his facts and anecdotes. It seemed a privilege to walk around the grounds of various colleges and get a feel for the college experience. It was helpful to identify the institutions of the University and City.
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Lene_h
Aug 16, 2024
Walking tour in Oxford - Informative tour in a smaller group with a guide, who spoke English perfectly. Whith that I mean English foreigners could understand. It was specifically interesting to visit two different colleges.
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Richard
Aug 15, 2024
Superb Oxford Guided Tour - Andrew our guide was very personable, knowledge and personable. Could not rate this higher for an excellent overview of Oxford and thoroughly recommend this service.
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S1619fpjohnb
Aug 13, 2024
Pleasant and educational tour of Oxford - Had a wonderful summer afternoon with tour guide Nick. Besides seeing the amazing architectural and historical sites of the colleges, Nick introduced us to the Norrington Room at Blackwell’s as well. A must stop for avid readers and bookstore aficionados such as our family.
Additionally, Andrew and Nick went out of their way to help us with a tour scheduling snafu of our own making. We are grateful for their gracious service.
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Michele_h
Aug 4, 2024
History tour - Knowledgeable tour guide with historical facts. You should have an understanding of Oxford historical events.
Review provided by Viator
Vincent_b
Aug 21, 2024
Slightly disappointed - Good choice of locations to visit but very poor stops for presentations and explanations (crossroads, between buses, too close to other groups). A low voice also did not help. Shame…
Review provided by Viator