Oxford: Sightseeing Tours

Oxford is one of the most visited cities in England, attracting more than 7 million tourists every year. The majority of visitors travel to the city to catch a glimpse of its impressive university, however, there’s much more to the destination than its colleges, from lofty churches to art museums and botanic gardens.

There are a plethora of options when it comes to choosing a sightseeing tour in Oxford. Whether you’re an avid Downtonian, an architecture enthusiast or a ghost hunter, you’ll find an excursion to pique your interest.

Walking Tours

Walking tours in Oxford are among the most popular activities for visitors of the city to participate in. While it is possible to discover the “City of Dreaming Spires” alone, you’ll find that these guided excursions provide you with fascinating tidbits of information on each landmark that only a local would know, which you would otherwise miss.

There are numerous Oxford city tours to choose from, catering to every kind of interest. Whether you wish to explore Oxford in its entirety or just its globally-recognized colleges, there’s a walking tour to suit you. And, if you’re seeking greater personalization than a group excursion can provide, you can instead book a private experience for one-to-one attention from an expert guide.

Oxford University

The second oldest college in the world, Oxford University is mentioned in documentation as far back as 1096, making the education site almost 1,000 years old. Alongside its impressive history, Oxford University is rated as the number one higher education facility in the world, and over 60,000 hopeful students apply to the college each year.

The university has seen many famous faces pass through in its long-standing history, including Albert Einstein, Oscar Wilde and Stephen Hawking, which only amplifies its reputation. More than 60 buildings form the site, meaning that there is plenty to see on an Oxford University tour, from its exquisite Bodleian Library to its Christchurch College.

Harry Potter Tours

Hogwarts-obsessed tourists will be delighted to discover J.K. Rowling’s novels brought to life on a Harry Potter tour in Oxford. You’ll wander between destinations used in the filming of the iconic franchise and discuss the scenes that each location features in.

You’ll be among fellow Potterheads as you see familiar sights, such as the infirmary where Harry spent many a night throughout his time at Hogwarts, as well as New College, which features in the “Goblet of Fire.” Literature fans will be interested to learn the city’s associations with “Alice in Wonderland” with information on the Lewis Carroll novel sprinkled throughout many Harry Potter tours.

Hop on Hop off Bus Tours

One of the best ways to discover the city at your own leisure is through a hop on hop off bus tour in Oxford. Armed with a pass that allows you unlimited access to sightseeing buses for a selected timeframe, you can create your own itinerary for visiting Oxford’s main attractions.

You’ll simply board a bus and ring the bell to disembark any time an attraction catches your eye. And, once you’re done exploring, you’ll simply hop back on to travel to your next site. Alternatively, stay on the bus to experience the city’s highlights from afar with an engaging commentary in your ears.

Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour Tours

Drama enthusiasts can follow the most beloved detectives on television around the city on an Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour tour in Oxford. Inspector Morse came to British screens in 1987 after being adapted from a series of novels by Colin Dexter. The show was considered a hit, encouraging both a sequel and a prequel — Lewis and Endeavour — during which fans can gain a deeper insight into the writer’s world, through the characters of Lewis and Hathaway.

The books and subsequent series take place in the city of Oxford where you can participate in a guided tour of numerous filming locations, following in the footsteps of the investigators.

Ghost Tours

If you’re interested in England’s dark past, why not head to the streets after dark for a ghost tour in Oxford? While today, this may be one of the most esteemed cities in the country, there’s no denying that Oxford has witnessed its fair share of tragic events over the centuries, from murders to executions and everything in between.

You’ll explore these morbid happenings on a ghost tour, alongside the paranormal activity that still haunts the city throughout the night. Terrifying yet exciting at the same time, these excursions will leave your spine tingling.

Scavenger Games

If you’re looking to step away from standard city tours, you can instead turn up the fun of your vacation by selecting one of several scavenger games in Oxford. You’ll typically follow a mystery trail on your smartphone, completing clues and solving riddles along the way.

You’ll find the answers to your treasure hunt hidden in the attractions around the city, and you can complete the tour at your leisure. This type of excursion is the ideal way to spice up a solo trip or, alternatively, bond with your loved ones as you all work together to unlock your next destination.

Free Walking Tours

Those who are traveling on a budget may choose to participate in a free walking tour in Oxford. This type of excursion features no upfront cost and, after enjoying being led to a number of attractions, you’ll simply tip your guide accordingly.

These are group tours, providing you with the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, making them ideal for solo travelers, as well as larger parties. While these excursions may be less costly than other options, they still include an impressive array of attractions and guides are both informative, and engaging.

Downton Abbey Tours

If you’re caught up in the dramas of the Crawley family, you should consider embarking on a Downtown Abbey tour from Oxford. The city is surrounded by elegant landmarks that were used in the filming of the period drama, from the enchanting streets of Brampton, featured as the village of Downtown during the six seasons of the award-winning series, to Highclere Castle — the spectacular 17th-century home of Lord Grantham.

On this type of excursion, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time to the beginning of the 20th century, learning about Oxfordshire’s elite history and its associations with the ITV show. You may also visit the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill — Blenheim Palace — on one of these fascinating excursions.