Private Tour
Tours of Oxford private walking tours for the Discerning Traveler
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Run by an Oxford MSc Historian, Tours of Oxford, awarded best bespoke European walking tour operator, offers private 5 star TA/Viator/Google rated walking tours of Oxford. All tours are inclusive of entry fees, as applicable.
Centred within the Old University Quarter amid Oxford’s dreaming spires your tour visits all the major sites and landmarks for which Oxford is world famous.
We also explore an Oxford College (or two), its chapels, dining halls and beautiful gardens while you sample a taste of college life.
All our guides are Oxford graduates and published Oxford authors, internationally acclaimed for their fun, informal yet highly informative tours. We do not read from a script and love spontaneity, interaction, opinion and conversation. If you have a particular Oxford interest then do let us know.
If you would like info on trains, parking, etc., then also let us know . Plus we send you 2 Ox Info sheets - dining out and other Oxford attractions not to miss.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age 10. Please indicate the number of children in your party
Comfortable walking shoes or trainers since this tour involves a moderate amount of walking
Tours run at 2pm start time.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Private Tour, exclusively for you, your family, colleagues and friends
Designated meeting point. Plus we offer hotel pick ups (central Oxford only)
Entrance fees to colleges and University as applicable
What To Expect
Meet your guide at the Weston Library, part of the Bodleian Library, in the heart of the University. The Weston offers excellent facilities, high end cafe and free exhibitions. Next door lies Blackwell's word famous book shop, and an Oxford icon. Its vast collection of books, set over three floors and the Norrington Room where 5 kilometres of books are shelved underground. Not to be missed if love books and often included in our tours..
University of Oxford
The Old University Quarter offers to the visitor a magical place packed full of History, Art and Architecture You will visit the original Ashmolean Museum, Sheldonian Theatre, Old Bodleian Library, Old Schools Quadrangle, Clarendon Building, Radcliffe Camera, the University Church of St Mary the Virgin and the Narnia Doorway - which inspired key characters in the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis.
Options
Let's Explore Oxford
Duration: 2 hours
Oxford City and University
Reviews
70 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Chris was wonderful!...
Suzette O,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Chris was wonderful! Funny, personable, knowledgeable and a wonderful story teller. Do not pass up a chance to tour Oxford with him. Highly recommend , 5 stars for sure!
Not to miss!
Himmat G,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Chris’s tour of Oxford was absolutely fantastic! From the moment we met him, his passion for the city’s history and culture shone through. He brought the university’s stories to life with fascinating insights, witty anecdotes, and just the right balance of humor, history and detail. We saw all the highlights — from the colleges and hidden courtyards to literary landmarks — and Chris made each stop feel special. He tailored the tour perfectly to our group’s interests and answered every question with enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Oxford, do not miss this tour! Chris is knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly loves what he does. It’s the best way to experience the magic of Oxford and will definitely book him again the next time we visit.
A fantastic Oxford Tour
Humbleparents,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thanks to Chris for giving us a wonderful tour of Oxford through a fascinating historical lens. He is both knowledgeable and engaging, bringing the colleges, architecture, and chapel we visited vividly to life with true stories and fun facts. My daughter, who loves English literature, thoroughly enjoyed chatting with him — his insights ranged from classic works to contemporary novels. Even my son, a typical IT enthusiast, was captivated by the stories behind Oxford’s magnificent scenery, especially those about student life and the thrilling boat races between colleges. This tour was worth every penny — highly recommended!
A wonderful afternoon of history, chapels, and literature with Chris
zachsA4365WV,
Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We (me, my wife, and my daughter) had a lovely tour and afternoon with Chris. Starting off with the communication before our tour, Chris was proactive to reach out and provide general information, and was so kind to exchange messages with me about our particular interests and other things to do (Blackwells!) before our tour. We were particularly interested in the college chapels and Evelyn Waugh - and we spent the afternoon seeing a Oxford and absolutely incredible chapels, learning the history of Oxford from Chris, and having great conversations about English literature. Everything about Chris and this tour felt personalized and Chris is just a great guy ... easy to talk to, learn from, and laugh with. We will definitely look him up when we return to Oxford. Thank you, Chris, for a memorable experience.
Chris, our excellent Oxford tour guide
Vacation489266,
Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a most enjoyable and informative time with our guide Chris. I would highly recommend Chris. He explained our tour excellently to our small group of four women.He is very knowledgeable about the Oxford colleges.
Great Oxford tour
Leo B,
Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Chris was fantastic! Very knowledgeable about Oxfords buildings, history, and lots of fun facts. I highly recommend this tour and try to get Chris for your guide.
Memorable Oxford Tour with Chris P
H167MXedwardr,
Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Memorable Oxford Tour with Chris P We visited Oxford for the first time at the end of June and chose Chris’s tour based on his excellent reviews. We were looking for something more personal than a large group tour — ideally led by a seasoned local and Oxford alum — and Chris delivered exactly what we hoped for. From the start, his humor, deep knowledge of history, and easygoing nature made the tour both engaging and memorable. He took us through Oxford’s highlights and hidden corners, weaving in stories and insights that brought the city to life (ask about the ghost stories!). It never felt rushed or scripted, just thoughtful and fun. Looking back, our time in Oxford will always be connected to the experience Chris created for us. We highly recommend his tour to anyone wanting a more intimate and authentic way to discover the city. PS - And Chris, if you’re reading this, apologies for the late review! We’re the New Yorkers who visited on June 30th. Thank you again for sharing your time and perspective with us. You're the best!
Fun, engaging private tour
jasonk282,
Aug 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent private tour of Oxford. Got to visit Essex college and see what it's like to be a student. Chris was highly knowledgeable, engaging, and fun. Highly recommended!
The Best Way to Experience Oxford
James B,
Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Chris was a wonderful guide. He was friendly, thoroughly versed in Oxford history and was interested in making our tour in line with our interests. Chris seems to know many people on the Oxford campus and, as a result, gaining admittance to various colleges and buildings was a breeze even when nominally closed to the general public. Booking was easy and confirmation texts arrived in advance including helpful information on other things to do as well as restaurant recommendations in the area. When we return to Oxford, we plan on booking another tour with Chris since, even though our tour ran well over the allotted time, we know that there is much more to see which we will only do with Chris. A total five star experience!
Wonderfully Informative and Entertaining walking Tour with an amazing Tom McDonnell!
Michael M,
Jun 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What made this tour so special was our guide Tom McDonnell. Informative naturally, but funny, interactive and just brimming with personality. What a great time we had! Tom made our visit to Oxford so enjoyable!
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Operated by Tours of Oxford