The 15 Best Oxford Tours & College Visits

1.Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,905 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $41Our pick

Walk through Oxford with a student or graduate guide from Footprints Tours. In two hours, you’ll see Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Library, Trinity College, All Souls, and more, while learning how Oxford works today. The tour starts in Oxford, with an optional London pickup from Gloucester Road.

“It was great! Unfortunately the Divinity School was closed, but that was not our Guide`s fault. We learnt a lot about being a student in Oxford, which is such a nice place to be.”

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2.1.5-hour Oxford City and University Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,383 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $38

Meet at Trinity College’s blue gates for a 90-minute Oxford walking tour led by a local guide. You’ll hear college stories, see historic courtyards, and may enter New College, Balliol, or other sites depending on access. The tour covers about 1.5 km, costs $38.14, and ends where it begins.

“Really enjoyed this tour. The guide was so knowledgeable and interesting. Was great to see inside the colleges and learn about the history and lovely buildings. Would highly recommend!”

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3.Oxford Official University & City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,134 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $41

Walk Oxford with a local guide for about two hours, seeing Trinity College, Balliol, the Martyrs’ Memorial, Sheldonian Theatre, Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and more. Afternoon departures may include a college visit, subject to availability. Guides such as Nigel, Becca, Adam, and Richard are praised for lively stories and Oxford insight.

“Nigel, the tour guide, was enthusiastic, funny, and very knowledgeable. He understood the broad sweep of Oxford’s history, but also gave us lots of little anecdotes that fleshed out the narrative.”

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4.City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,042 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $27

See Oxford from an open-top bus with a 24 or 48-hour pass, audio commentary in 14 languages, and 18 stops from the railway station to the colleges. Guides such as Lesley and Martin lead the included 45-minute walking tour, a helpful extra for first-time visitors with limited time.

“It was a rainy day but there were patches of sunlight and we got to see Oxford, walk around, and see this colorful town had a good time!”

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5.Harry Potter Walking Tour of Oxford Including New College

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 930 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Walk through central Oxford with a student guide such as Valentine, Niamh, Will, or Neve. In 90 minutes, visit New College and the Bodleian’s Divinity School when open, spot Harry Potter filming sites, hear Oxford book lore, and take a light quiz. Expect a brisk city walk and possible seasonal closures.

“We did the Harry Potter Walking Tour of Oxford, including New College, with Vittoria and had a fantastic experience. Vittoria was a wonderful guide—knowledgeable and engaging about both Oxford’s history and its connection to the Harry Potter films. She brought the tour to life with great stories, fun facts, and just the right amount of detail. The stops were well chosen, New College was a highlight, and Vittoria made the entire experience enjoyable and easy to follow. Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or just interested in Oxford, this tour is absolutely worth it”

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6.Oxford Sightseeing River Cruise Along The University Regatta Course

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 652 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $29

Cruise Oxford’s University Regatta Course for 45 minutes from historic Folly Bridge. A local guide such as Nick, Max, George, or Sam provides lively stories about rowing, colleges, and riverside life. The small boat carries no more than 12 people, making this a calm, personal way to see Christ Church Meadows and Oxford’s boating world.

“Excellent skipper and lovely small boat tour along the river. Nice mix of information and time to look at the scenery and take in the views over the water.”

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7.Afternoon Tea Sightseeing River Cruise in Oxford

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 583 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $80

Spend 90 minutes on the Thames from Folly Bridge to Iffley Lock, passing Christ Church Meadows, rowing boathouses, punts, and quiet water meadows. Your small group receives sandwiches, scones, cakes, and tea from The Folly restaurant. Guides such as Nick, Henry, Dexter, and Duncan add local stories, though commentary can vary.

“They were very nice!! Unfortunately, I missed the cruise, but they were so kind to offer a rescchedule and make the afternoon tea inside! I will come back for sure!! Thank you for your kindness”

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8.Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour Oxford Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 574 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Meet at St John’s College at 2pm for a central Oxford walk linking Inspector Morse, Lewis, and Endeavour filming spots. Guides such as Heidi, Rebecca, Leigh, and Magnus mix episode facts with Oxford history. Expect about two hours on foot, with stops at Broad Street, the White Horse Pub, and the Randolph Hotel.

“Absolutely fantastic. In reality it is a walking tour of Oxford- BUT it highlights themes from the three shows”

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9.Extended: Oxford University & City Tour With Christ Church

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 392 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $110

Walk Oxford with a small group of up to 19 people and an Oxford student guide such as Rose, Antonia, Luke, or Sam. See historic colleges, the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and Christ Church. Allow a full extra hour for Christ Church’s self-guided multimedia visit, and wear good walking shoes.

“A fantastic and enthusiastic introduction to the history of Oxford and it's colleges. I went to school there but still learned so much new information.”

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10.Oxford Harry Potter Insights entry to Divinity School PUBLIC Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 358 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $34

Join an English-speaking guide in a Harry Potter-inspired cloak for a 90 to 120 minute Oxford walk. See the Divinity School inside the Bodleian Library, spot filming locations, and hear stories about Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll, and Oxford student life. Guides including Peter, Ben, Jim, and Naima bring plenty of personality, though the tour does not enter Christ Church.

“We had a great time visiting the college and the room where students have their meals.All the stories about the places that ispired the stories of Harry Potter and Tolkien's stories are fascinating and very interesting.You feel a magic atmosphere.I really recommand this experience for adults and children over 6 years old.”

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11.Cotswolds Villages Full-Day Small-Group Tour from Oxford

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 334 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $117

Travel from Oxford by air-conditioned Mercedes minibus on a seven-hour tour of Minster Lovell, Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Great Tew. Guides such as Ian, Andrew, and Sonya share local history and folklore, while free time lets you walk, shop, take photos, and have lunch.

“Excellent overview of Cotswold history and villages. Enough time spent on most important places to get a overview. One day is not enough to get all out of Cotswold, but this tour takes maximum out of it. Our driver/guide Andrew was great and I would recommend him to everyone.”

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12.Oxford University Walking Tour by Alumni™ & Optional New College

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 323 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Walk through Oxford with a current student or graduate guide, visiting Balliol, Trinity, the Bodleian, Radcliffe Camera, All Souls, Oriel, and Christ Church Meadow. Hear campus stories, admissions tips, and student-life details. Add New College at booking for a 45-minute self-guided visit, subject to opening hours.

“This walking tour of Oxford provided fantastic detail on the history of Oxford and the events that have taken place over time. It also gave tremendous insights from a student's perspective. Felix was excellent. He answered all our many questions about the university and the colleges, tying this in nicely with his experiences as a student. I highly recommend this tour and I would recommend doing the hop on hop off bus loop before (and after if you have time).”

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13.Oxford Sightseeing Picnic River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $94

Spend about three hours gliding along the Thames from Folly Bridge, with a picnic hamper, skipper-led stories, and views of Christ Church Meadow, Oxford’s colleges, Port Meadow, and Osney Lock. Skippers such as Ash, Rory, Laura, Chris, and Nick have been praised for friendly commentary. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

“The guide was absolutely fantastic. He had a story for every situation. The picnic was great. We had a great evening.”

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14.90 Minute Classic Walking Tour of Oxford

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 237 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $38

Walk central Oxford with guides such as Nick, Andrew, or Graham on a 90-minute English tour for up to 10 people. See the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs, Carfax Tower, college lanes, and historic courtyards, with lively stories about Oxford’s scholars, buildings, traditions, and famous former students.

“Our tour guide couldn’t have been more interesting or kind. We went to the wrong place, realized our mistake, and hurriedly went to the correct destination. Our guide was so gracious.”

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15.Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Oxford with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 202 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

Captain Bess guides your private group around Oxford by phone, sending maps, cryptic clues, hints, and short stories. Begin at Oxford Castle, then reach Radcliffe Camera, The Turf, the Sheldonian Theatre, Bodleian Library, and Carfax Tower. Allow about two and a half hours, but pause whenever you like.

“We found it fun to look for the answers, thought the duration was a good length, and discovered things about oxford that we didn’t know about, and we have visited oxford a few times now.”

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