Bus Tours
CitySightSeeing Oxford
Broad Street (main ticket booth). Adults £9.50, Seniors / Students £8.50, Children £4.50, Family £25, Under 5's free.
CitySightSeeing Oxford operates these great big, double decker (open roof) red buses that go all around the city, and allow you to hop on and off as often as you like throughout the day. The bus makes twenty stops - at all the major sights in Oxford - and runs frequently, so you're never standing very long at whatever bus stop you choose to re-board the bus from. You can buy tickets from the driver, and there's no need to book in advance.
Walking Tours
In addition to our itineraries, a great way to see the city is by booking an organised, specialised walking tour.
University and City Tours
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.
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.
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.
American Roots Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7.50, £4
Many academic and cultural links with America's past and present exist in Oxford; there have been, and are, American heads of colleges. Oxford college architecture has been copied in American universities, Oxford scholars have been founding fathers in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Georgia, and American students come to Oxford as Rhodes scholars.
Pottering In Harry's Footsteps
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £9.50, £5.50
Many children's stories have been set in Oxford. Recently the city has been the location for some scenes from the films of the latest children's and adult's hero, Harry Potter.
Oxford Film Sites Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7.50, £4
Oxford has inspired scriptwriters and filmmakers. Discover the famous sights of Oxford made familiar by your favourite films and television programmes.
Garden Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7.50, £4
Oxford is full of gardens and parks open to the public. They include the oldest Botanic Garden in Britain with its great diversity of plant life, the vast expanse of Christ Church meadow, the magnificent University Parks, containing the scientifically important hybrid garden as well as many college gardens. Enjoy the varied beauty in all seasons.
William Morris and Victorian Oxford Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7.50, £4
The Pre-Raphaelites were closely connected with Oxford. From patron Thomas Combe, art critic John Ruskin, to artists Holman Hunt and Rossetti. Burne-Jones and Morris studied here, gained much inspiration from the medieval colleges and left the city with some outstanding works. Join a tour with emphasis on this delightful period of Victorian art.
Pub Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7.50
Learn the history of Oxford's favourite fascinating pubs and inns through the convivial atmosphere of an evening pub tour. Visit the hostelries where the likes of Churchill, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis drank; be regaled with pub tales and let yourself be introduced to the delight of English ales.
Oxford Skyline Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7.50, £4
Oxford is known as the 'the city of dreaming spires' . See the spires and the magnificent building that makes the skyline of Oxford so special. View the silhouette from Christ Church Meadows and explore the architecture that makes Oxford unique.
Oxford's West End Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7.50, £4
The Western Quarter of Oxford is one of the city's little known secrets containing a late 18th century prison (now a hotel), the remains of a Norman Castle, the sites of the first college and the original Thames. There is evidence of occupation from the Bronze Age, the Roman occupation and early Anglo Saxon settlements. Where friars lived and beer was brewed. The tour covers the area's long history, its ancient buildings and riveting stories.
Magic, Murder and Mayhem Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7.50, £4
This is an alternative tour of Oxford to find about secret societies, alchemists, martyrs, traitors, rogues and criminals. Discover too, one of the world's largest collections of amulets, talismans and magical items.
Jewish Heritage Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7.50, £4
Walk around the medieval Jewish Quarter and learn about Jewish life in the city and significant events before the expulsion of 1290. Come up to date with the story of the Jewish population since the 17th century re-admission and remarkable facts about the Jewish contribution to Oxford University in the 20th century.
Lyra's Oxford Tour
Oxford Information Centre, 01865 252200. £7.50, £4
Explore the Oxford of Lyra and Will, the magic world created by Philip Pullman in his Dark Materials trilogy, brought to the screen in the Golden Compass.
River Cruises
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.
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.
Driving Tours
CS Lewis Tour
01865 874500
A three hour tour guided by a childhood friend of Lewis' stepson, who was a frequent visitor to the Lewis household. Filled with personal anecdotes and stories, the tour takes you to Lewis' former home - "The Kilns", a church Lewis frequented (which has Narnia inspired windows), and other Lewis-related locations. The tour is free, but has a suggested donation that goes towards the "Lewis Awareness Fund."
Bicycle Tours
Guided Cycle Tours of Oxford
01296 631671
Guided tours of Oxford – its city and country, run every Sunday morning through the summer months commencing May 7. The tour starts at 10am and lasts around 3 hours. Cycle hire until 4pm is included in the price of £20. Children under 16 go for £15 and must be accompanied by an adult responsible for them. You need to book a place, by phone, email or online - by 5pm on Friday.
Oxon Carts Rickshaw Tours
07747 024600
Cycle rickshaw tours, taxis, weddings and deliveries