Oxford Sights
Oxford Tourist Information Centre, Broad Street, 01865 252200
Daily walking tours depart from the Oxford Tourist Information Centre on Broad Street at 11am and 2pm. The tour lasts two hours and guides you through the heart of the historic city centre, while experienced and knowledgeable guides describe the history, architecture, and traditions of its most famous buildings and institutions.

Inspector Morse/Inspector Lewis Tours
Oxford Tourist Information Centre, Broad Street, 01865 252200
Those of you who are fans of the show know that most of the scenes took place in and around Oxford. Visit the places where many of his best known cases were filmed, and hear lively anecdotes along the way. Tours leave the Information Centre at 1:30pm on Saturdays. Confirm in advance.

Ghost Tours
Oxford Tourist Information Centre, Broad Street, 01865 252200
Take a walk in the evenings through the streets and alleyways in search of ghosts of Oxford's past. Departs from the Information Centre at 7:45pm on Fridays and Saturdays from June to the end of September, and on Halloween.

Discover the Secrets of Oxford’s Hidden Castle - Oxford Castle Unlocked
Oxford Castle, 01865 260666
For the first time in 1000 years, Oxford's hidden castle will open to the public and its secrets that span 10 centuries will be finally revealed. Visitors will witness real stories of violence, executions, dramatic and even romance episodes as the history of these important buildings, and the people connected to them are brought dramatically to life. Once the haunt of prisoners, kings, sheriffs and even film stars – this site really is extraordinary! For more information, see the official website

* note from the editor - there are steep and narrow steps to climb on this tour, and the mound has steep and pebbly paths.

Literary Tour of Oxford
Blackwell Walking Tours of Oxford, 01865 333606. 16 May - 27 October (inclusive). Every Tuesday 2pm & Thursday 11am. 1 hour 30 minutes. £7 / £6.50
This tour shows where famous writers such as Dorothy L. Sayers, Stephen Hawking, William Golding, Graham Green, Alan Bennett, PB Shelley, TE Lawrence, and Lewis Carroll lived and studied. Visit the rooms where William Shakespeare stayed while visiting Oxford. Note: stairs to climb.

Inklings Tour
Blackwell Walking Tours of Oxford, 01865 333606. 16 May - 27 October (inclusive). Every Wednesday 11:45am. 1 hour 30 minutes. £7 / £6.50
Visit locations that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Also visit places where Tolkien, CS Lewis, Nevill Coghill, Charles Williams and other famous members of the "Inklings" group lived and worked.

Historic Oxford Tour
Blackwell Walking Tours of Oxford, 01865 333606. 16 May - 27 October (inclusive). Every Friday 2pm. 1 hour 30 minutes. £7 / £6.50
This tour takes you through important historic events, places and personalities from Saxon times through the Civil War and up to the present. The tour includes a visit to Oxford Castle.

Black Heritage Walking Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £5, £3
Did you know that John Kufuor, president of Ghana attended Oxford? Or Raymond Robinson, prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, went there too? How about the jazz saxophonist Soweto Kinch? Oxford University had many African and African Caribbean students pass through its halls throughout history. This walk will focus on some African students that attended Oxford at the turn of the 20th century, and in later years.

Women in Oxford Guided Walking Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7, £3.50
This tour will revive the stories of many women connected to Oxford. From saints to mistresses: St Frideswide, Patron of Oxford; medieval Empress Mathilda (aka Maud); Mrs Wadham, instrumental in a college creation; future Prime Ministers Indira Ghandi and Margaret Thatcher; and famous authors from Dorothy Sayers to Iris Murdoch.

Funny Oxford Walk
Meet outside The Living Room (Oxford Castle, New Road) 8pm Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 6th June until 29th September. £7/£5
A hilarious 90 minute stroll through Oxford's city centre - frequently stopping for titillating thrills, head-scratching mysteries and moments of side-splitting irreverence. No need to book, simply turn up. For more information, visit the official website.

Salters Steamers
Folly Bridge, 01865 243421
Salters offers river tours, private charters, and jazz cruises, as well as the hiring of punts, rowing boats, and self-drive motor boats. Official Website

Oxford River Cruises
7 Rogers Street, 0845 2269396
To get to the mooring, go south on St. Aldate's (past Christ Church College), cross over Folly Bridge and turn left on to the river towpath. The Lunchtime Picnic cruise costs £35 per person, £20 for children under 12. Trips should be booked at least the day before. The Afternoon River Experience trip lasts 1 hour and costs £10 per person. The sunset picnic trip costs £38 per person and should be booked at least twenty four hours in advance. Official Website