The best way to discover Oxford is on foot! www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/tours

1. What better way to discover Our regular tours are:
University and City Tour
our beautiful city than on foot? This is our most popular introductory tour, taken by the majority
of visitors.The guide will lead you through the heart of the historic
city centre, illustrating the history of Oxford and its University
and describing the architecture and traditions of its most famous
buildings and institutions. This tour departs daily at 10.45am and
1pm (except on Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day)
with additional tours at 11am and 2pm to meet demand.Tours
at 10.45am and 2pm may include the Divinity School except
on a Saturday. Access to the Divinity School is confirmed on Friday
for the following week and tickets are made available then.
This tour is also available in other languages at
1.30pm on the dates below:
In German on Saturday 7th July
Saturday 4th August
In Spanish on Sunday 15th July
Sunday 12th August
In French on Saturday 21st July
Saturday 18th August
Inspector Morse Tour
Follow in the footsteps of the city’s celebrated TV detective and
his successor, Lewis, created by Oxford author Colin Dexter.
Visit the scenes of their best-known cases with lots of lively
anecdotes along the way. This tour departs at 1.30pm every
Saturday throughout the year and every Monday and Friday
between March and September.
Family Tour
E
FEE NTRA Fun for all the family! Take part in this informal tour and share
Our Official Guided S IN NCE If you live locally or have visited before, you may already in a light-hearted look at the surprises and delights Oxford has
CLU to offer children and adults alike. Have even more fun with our
Walking Tours are DED know a lot about the University and student life. So we free activity sheet and pencil! This tour departs at 1.30pm
O
an enjoyable and SMA invite you to discover more about this fascinating city during the school holidays.
FRI LL
E on one of our Themed Tours. There is a tour for
interesting way WITNDLY AND From To
to explore our BLU H OF TOUR everyone, from Stained Glass to Gardens; from Magic, February Monday 13th Friday 17th
E F S
beautiful city, its BAD OR G ICIAL Murder and Mayhem to Science; from Pottering in April Monday 2nd Friday 6th
history, University, GE G REE Harry’s Footsteps to Oxford Children’s Stories... June Monday 4th Friday 8th
UID N
famous people and ES Your official Blue or Green Badge guide July Monday 23rd Friday 27th
odd traditions. will be delighted to answer any questions along August Mondays & Wednesdays only
October Monday 29th 2nd November
We have a wonderful the way and will take you to Oxford’s most
selection of tours. If this is your first visit to Oxford,
we suggest you start with the University and
famous sights, and also reveal the hidden treasures
in tucked away lanes and passages. Please see inside for a full
City Tour, an excellent introduction to Oxford. listing of our Themed Tours
Alternative Tours General Information
Alice in Waterland Tour – 150th Anniversary Walk • Tours are limited to a maximum of 19 people except for the
Join local historian and author, Mark Davies, on a city and Garden Tour (maximum 14).
river walk which marks the first telling of Alice’s Adventures in • Visitors in wheelchairs are welcome to join our tours but access
Wonderland. Discover the essential role played by the River Thames to some colleges may be restricted.
in inspiring the stories and in the friendship between Lewis Carroll • Children (under 16 years old) must be accompanied by an adult
(maximum 2 children per adult).
and Alice Liddell. See Victorian Oxford through their eyes. This tour
is 1.5 hours long and departs at 1.30pm. • A portable hearing loop is available on request (subject to availability). Programme
• Guide dogs are allowed on the tours.
Dates
Sunday 25th March
Prices
Adult £6.50
Length of tours 2012
Sunday 3rd June Child £3.75 All tours cover between 1 and 2 miles and last 2 hours except the
Saturday 30th June Family tour which is 1.5 hours.
Sunday 15th July
Sunday 5th August Adult Senior/ Child
Prices Student
University and City Tour £8.00 £7.50 £4.50
Rocking in Oxford Tour University and City Tour with £8.50 £8.00 £5.00
Divinity School
Your tour guide Trevor Hayward, a writer and a musician, will
take you around the sites where stars such as The Beatles, University and City Tour £8.00 £7.50 £4.50
in French, German and Spanish
Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd played in Oxford. This tour is
1.5hrs long and departs at 2.15pm. Family Tour £6.50 £6.00 £3.75
Inspector Morse Tour £8.50 £8.00 £5.00
Dates Prices
Sunday 8th April Adult £6.50 Themed Tours except the one below £8.50 £8.50 £5.75
Sunday 20th May Child £3.75 Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps £12.00 £12.00 £8.00
Sunday 24th June Admission fees are included in the price
Sunday 8th July
Sunday 5th August
Meeting point
All tours start outside the Visitor Information Centre.
Access to Colleges
Colleges and other University buildings are privately owned and
therefore subject to unannounced closures at short notice.
How to book
We suggest that you book in advance to guarantee a place
on any of our tours.
In person: At the Visitor Information Centre,
15–16 Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3AS.
Telephone: You can book in advance on 01865 252200.
© Arka Cartographics 10/10
A £1 booking fee is applicable.
Online: www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/tours
at least 12 hours in advance.
Private We can pre-book private tours for individuals
Tours: or groups. Please contact the Tours Co-ordinator
on 01865 252037 or wtours@oxford.gov.uk
Visitor Information Centre to discuss your requirements.
15–16 Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3AS
www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/tours www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/tours

2. February
Saturday
Friday
Saturday
4th
10th
18th
C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour
Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour
When Alice Met Harry Tour
Themed Tours 2012
Saturday 25th Oxford Children’s Stories Tour Tours depart at 1.45pm unless otherwise specified
March
Friday 16th Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour
Saturday 17th C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour
Saturday 24th Plaques of Oxford Tour
Sunday 25th Literary Tour
Friday 30th When Alice Met Harry Tour
Saturday 31st Religion at Oxford Tour
April
Thursday 5th William Morris & Victorian Oxford Tour
Sunday 8th Oxford’s Olympic History Tour
Friday 13th Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour
Saturday 14th C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour
Saturday 21st Oxford Film Sites Tour
Sunday 22nd Literary Tour
Saturday 28th Stained Glass Tour
May
Sunday 6th Gargoyles & Grotesques Tour
Monday 7th Oxford’s Olympic History Tour
Friday 11th When Alice Met Harry Tour
Friday 18th Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour
Friday 25th Stained Glass Tour
Saturday 26th Tudor Oxford Tour
June
Friday 1st When Alice Met Harry Tour
Saturday 2nd Stained Glass Tour
Monday 4th C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour
Friday 8th Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour
Friday 22nd Civil War Tour
Saturday 23rd Magic, Murder & Mayhem Tour
Sunday 24th Oxford’s Olympic History Tour
C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour Oxford West End Tour
Friday 29th William Morris & Victorian Oxford Tour Two university lecturers and friends, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, wrote The Western Quarter of Oxford is one of the city’s little known secrets
some of the most popular books of the 20th century. Share the containing a late 18th century prison, now a hotel, and the remains of a
Saturday 30th Garden Tour environment in which they studied, lived and spent their leisure time in Norman Castle. There is evidence of occupation from the Bronze Age
July their beloved Oxford. and the Roman period and of early Anglo Saxon settlements. The tour
offers riveting stories of the area’s long history and its ancient buildings
Monday 2nd William Morris & Victorian Oxford Tour Civil War Tour where friars lived and beer was brewed.
Friday 6th Oxford Children’s Stories Tour Oxford in the Civil War was at the centre of the national stage, with King
Saturday 7th Oxford West End Tour (3pm) Charles making his headquarters at Christ Church. Ramparts enclosed the Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour
Monday 9th Science at Oxford Tour city, college silver was melted down to make coins and Oxford became a Tour the locations where memorable Harry Potter scenes were inspired
Friday 13th Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour garrison rather than a university town. Join this tour to hear more about and shot and enter the magical wizarding world yourself.
life in Oxford during the Civil War.
Saturday 14th Gargoyles & Grotesques Tour (3pm) Religion at Oxford Tour
Sunday 15th The Jericho Tour (3pm) Garden Tour Join this tour to learn how religion and faith shaped the early University.
Monday 16th Stained Glass Tour Oxford is full of gardens and parks such as the vast expanse of Christ Follow in the footsteps of the martyrs, the founders of Methodism, the
Friday 20th Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour Church Meadow, the delightful University Parks and the unique Botanic Oxford Movement, and Oxford’s recent saints.
Saturday 21st Religion at Oxford Tour Garden, as well as many hidden college gardens. Enjoy their varied beauty
Saturday 21st Plaques of Oxford Tour (3pm)
in all seasons from stunning carpets of spring bulbs, through magnificent Science at Oxford Tour
summer herbaceous borders to glorious autumn leaves. Take a fascinating tour about the study of science at Oxford. By the 14th
Sunday 22nd Magic, Murder & Mayhem Tour
Gargoyles & Grotesques Tour century Oxford was famous for the work of Bacon and Grosseteste and
Monday 23rd C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour for developments in mathematics and astronomy. The 17th century saw
Friday 27th Tudor Oxford Tour Symbols, emblems, motifs, animals and demons cling to the roofs and walls Harvey, Boyle, Hooke and Halley make their ground-breaking discoveries.
Saturday 28th Oxford Film Sites Tour of buildings in Oxford. Medieval and modern stonemasons used In the 20th century, it was the penicillin scientists under Professor Florey
imagination and humour in creating a wealth of amazing stone carvings. Let who made the greatest impact. Find out about Oxford’s role at the
Saturday 28th Oxford’s Olympic History Tour (3pm)
our guide highlight the inventiveness and delights to be seen. Bring your leading edge of science right up to the 21st century.
Sunday 29th Literary Tour binoculars!
Monday 30th Women in Oxford Tour Stained Glass Tour
Jewish Heritage Tour
August Walk around what was once the medieval Jewish Quarter and learn
The city of Oxford has some of the finest stained glass in the UK. Almost
Friday 3rd Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour every style and period of English glass-painting is represented, from
about Jewish life in the city and significant events before the expulsion medieval to modern, including particularly beautiful 17th century windows
Saturday 4th Stained Glass Tour of 1290. Come up to date with the story of the Jewish population since
and a wealth of 19th century glass by William Morris and Co. Enjoy the
Saturday 4th Magic, Murder & Mayhem Tour (3pm) the 17th century re-admission and remarkable facts about the Jewish
opportunity of seeing some fascinating craftsmanship. Bring your binoculars!
Monday 6th C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour contribution to Oxford University in the 20th century.
Friday 10th William Morris & Victorian Oxford Tour Literary Tour The Jericho Tour
Saturday 11th Oxford West End Tour (3pm) Over the centuries many famous writers: poets, novelists, critics and Jericho, Oxford’s first suburb to the north-west of the city, is less known
Sunday 12th Literary Tour children’s authors have studied or lived in Oxford. Explore this rich than other parts of Oxford but not lacking in history and stories. Home
heritage with one of our knowledgeable guides. of Oxford University Press and the remarkable church of St Barnabas, it
Friday 17th Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour also encompasses the Oxford Canal, St Sepulchre’s Cemetery, and was
Saturday 18th Oxford Film Sites Tour Magic, Murder & Mayhem Tour used as a setting for Thomas Hardy’s “Jude the Obscure”, the Inspector
Sunday 19th Gargoyles & Grotesques Tour Morse murders and Philip Pullman’s Lyra stories.
An alternative tour of Oxford to find out about secret societies,
Monday 20th Oxford’s Olympic History Tour alchemists, martyrs, traitors, rogues and criminals. Discover too, one of the
Tudor Oxford Tour
Tudor Oxford Tour
Friday 24th world’s largest collections of amulets, talismans and magical items.
Saturday 25th Science at Oxford Tour The Tudor period roughly coincided with the great change in church life
Oxford’s Olympic History Tour known as the Reformation. Walk and hear history in the making in
Saturday 25th The Jericho Tour (3pm) Oxford, from Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, Queen Mary’s
Both Oxford Town and Gown have long sporting traditions. The city
September has produced many eminent rowers, athletes and household sporting persecution of Protestants for their faith, to Queen Elizabeth I’s
encouragement of University revival.
Saturday 1st Plaques of Oxford Tour names. Join a walking tour of the city and learn about Oxonian Olympic
gold medallists such as Stephanie Cook, David Hemmings, Jack Lovelock
Friday 7th When Alice Met Harry Tour
and Matthew Pinsent.
When Alice met Harry Tour
Saturday 15th Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour Alice in Wonderland was inspired by Alice Liddell. She spent her early years
Friday 21st Literary Tour Oxford Children’s Stories Tour in Oxford, and her friendship with Charles Dodgson, better known as
Friday 28th Jewish Heritage Tour Explore the Oxford of Alice and the Dodo, Lyra & Will, Prince Caspian Lewis Carroll, led to the writing of the two Alice books. Another
Saturday 29th Oxford Film Sites Tour & Aslan, characters created by well-known Oxford authors in Alice in favourite, Harry Potter, appeared here when some of his film scenes
Wonderland, His Dark Materials trilogy (filmed as The Golden Compass) and were shot in Oxford locations. Join this tour to explore their worlds of
Sunday 30th C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour wonder and wizardry.
The Chronicles of Narnia. Delight in the make-believe, as you discover
October places which inspired Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis and Philip Pullman
William Morris & Victorian Oxford Tour
Friday 5th Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour amongst others.
The Pre-Raphaelites were closely connected with Oxford. Edward
Saturday 6th C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour Oxford Film Sites Tour Burne-Jones and Morris studied here, and together with Holman Hunt
Sunday 14th Gargoyles & Grotesques Tour Oxford is one of Britain’s busiest and most instantly recognisable film and they left the city with some outstanding artistic works. Join a tour with
Friday 19th Oxford Children’s Stories Tour TV drama locations. See the backdrop for historical re-creations emphasis on this delightful period of Victorian art.
Saturday 27th Oxford Film Sites Tour and literary adaptations from fantasies to thrillers. Hear of the links with
Sunday 28th Magic, Murder & Mayhem Tour some of the biggest names in cinematic history. Women in Oxford Tour
Learn about the many women connected with Oxford and how women
November Plaques of Oxford Tour fought to become accepted as full members of the University. From
Friday 9th Pottering in Harry’s Footsteps Tour The many and varied plaques adorning the buildings and monuments of St Frideswide, Patron Saint of Oxford, to Empress Matilda; from Dorothy
Saturday 10th Stained Glass Tour Oxford are a delightful and beguiling feature of the city. Each brief Wadham, college founder, to future Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher,
inscription hides a fascinating story. Join this walk to find out more about Indira Gandhi and Benazir Bhutto; from authors Dorothy L. Sayers and Iris
Saturday 17th When Alice Met Harry Tour
the amazing men and women commemorated in the plaques and the Murdoch to Barbara Pym, Oxford owes much to its women and their
Sunday 18th C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour events which shaped Oxford’s history. story is a fascinating one.
www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/tours