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Harry Potter Walking Tour: Explore Oxford's Magical Sites and Famous Books

4.7

395 Ratings

Oxfordshire

Embark on a magical Harry Potter walking tour in Oxford, exploring the enchanting sites and famous books. Join a fun guide, take a quiz, and discover the history of Oxford University.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Blackwell’s Bookshop - While it may not be Flourish and Blotts, Blackwell’s is as close as a muggle bookshop can get. It’s a Ravenclaw’s dream, housing around 250,000 volumes, which equates to 3 miles of books! This is even more remarkable considering their first store was just 12 feet square and held only 700 used books. Don’t forget to check out the building’s roof from a distance. The stone figure you see on top isn’t someone petrified; it’s a statue by Antony Gormley, part of a series called “Another Time II”.
Bodleian Library - One of the largest libraries in England, home to ancient medieval books on spells and wizards!
Clarendon Building - Discover how magic and occult sciences were studied at Oxford! These fields weren’t seen as entirely separate from science until the late seventeenth century, so alchemy and astrology were researched here until then.
New College - Despite its name, it’s one of the oldest colleges at Oxford, built in 1379. With its medieval cloisters and beautiful spaces, it’s easy to see why multiple Harry Potter scenes were filmed here!
Radcliffe Camera - A truly iconic Oxford landmark! Learn about the underground passages students use and the rules enforced by librarians, though not as strictly as Madam Pince.
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin - An iconic door hidden to the side inspired another famous children’s writer, C.S. Lewis, for his Chronicles of Narnia. Hear how he and Tolkien would meet weekly and draw inspiration from the Oxford landscape.
6 Alfred St - The Bear Inn, also known as The Bear, is Oxford’s equivalent of the Three Broomsticks, dating back to 1242. While you can’t order butterbeer, you’ll be amazed by their tie collection and the stories behind it.
Christ Church Meadow - Before exploring the wonders of Christ Church itself, we’ll tell you about another magical connection: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland!
Christ Church - The tour concludes next to Christ Church with a description of how it inspired the Hall at Hogwarts (though it wasn’t the actual Hall as it was too small!). You can book directly with them to go inside at this point, or head back to the city center with the guide.
The Divinity School - This dramatic site is not only one of the oldest parts of the University but was also used in various Harry Potter scenes filmed in Oxford. It’s instantly recognizable as a Harry Potter location, showcasing some of the best examples of medieval architecture in England.

What's Included

Professional guide

What's Not Included

Gratuities

Additional Information

Non-magical folks are invited! Embark on a whimsical journey into the historic structures of Oxford University, including New College and the Bodleian Library. Experience an enjoyable trip with a witty Oxford student guide, equipped with a quiz, an assortment of props, and a plethora of corny jokes and puns. This tour is perfect for dedicated Harry Potter enthusiasts, those who discreetly cherish the series, and even those without prior interest seeking an enjoyable exploration method! Also, the tour highlights other renowned books like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the Hobbit, and Lord of the Rings, as well as delving into the history of Oxford University.

Location

Oxford Tourist Information

Broad Street

Please ensure you are there 15 minute before the tour is set to start, and you can be check-in at the Oxford Tourist Information building. If this is not open for any reason, please wait outside.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.7

(395 Ratings)

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Vasileiosv961

Jun 1, 2024

An amazing tour! - Tym was funny, really informative and passionate. We enjoyed every single minute of this awesome Harry Potter Oxford tour!