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OxfordCulture & history

Our most recommended Oxford Culture & history

Oxford: University and City Walking Tour with Alumni Guide

1. Oxford: University and City Walking Tour with Alumni Guide

Step inside Oxford University and explore the grounds on a guided walking tour. Admire the iconic architecture and learn about university life from your student guide. Visit one of the university’s oldest colleges and the Bodleian Library. Learn about the history of the university colleges, including All Souls College, Trinity College, Oriel College, Hertford College, and Merton College, the Radcliffe Camera, and the University Church of St. Mary. Get an equally in-depth history of the town. Hear about ceremonies at Oxford, famous graduates, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and also how the most powerful Archbishop of Canterbury was burned at the stake in Oxford.

Blenheim Palace Admission Ticket

2. Blenheim Palace Admission Ticket

Discover the home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Wonder at this masterpiece of 18th century Baroque architecture, which houses some of the finest antique collections in Europe. Take a tour of the State Rooms and admire the portraits, tapestries and exquisite furniture while learning about the 300-year history of this National Treasure. Visit the Churchill Exhibition and learn all about the life of the great Prime Minister, starting with his birth at Blenheim Palace in 1874. The exhibition features photographs, extracts from his diaries, artefacts and a number of other elements. Explore this World Heritage Site set amongst over 2000 acres of parkland landscaped by one of the UK’s most famous landscape architects, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Take a stroll up to the Grand Cascades or around the lake to admire some of the finest views in England. Discover the array of Formal Gardens, including the Rose Garden, Churchill Memorial Garden, Water Terraces and Secret Garden. A short miniature train ride away from the Palace is the Pleasure Gardens, which boasts a Giant Hedge Maze, Butterfly House, Lavender Garden, and an exhibition about how the Gardens have been used and maintained throughout the Palace’s history.

Cambridge: University Tour w/ Optional King's College Entry

3. Cambridge: University Tour w/ Optional King's College Entry

Discover some of the most famous colleges in Cambridge. Learn more about student life at one of the world's most prestigious universities from a University of Cambridge graduate guide. Visit famous chapels and libraries and listen to fascinating anecdotes. See where Prince Charles, Sir Isaac Newton, and Stephen Hawking studied. Stroll from King's College on King's Parade and pass landmarks such as Trinity Hall College, Trinity College, and Corpus Christi College. Look inside Pembroke College and marvel at the vaulted ceiling of King's College Chapel (if selected). Admire The Senate House, Great St Mary’s Church, and The Eagle pub where Watson and Crick announced they had discovered the secret of life.

London: Full-Day Windsor, Stonehenge, and Oxford Tour

4. London: Full-Day Windsor, Stonehenge, and Oxford Tour

Enjoy a full day of English heritage visiting the exquisite Windsor Castle, captivating Stonehenge, and the beautiful university city of Oxford. On this day trip departing from London, you get the whistle-stop tour of these unique sites with interesting commentary from your guide along the way. Start your day at Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of HM King Charles III. Visit the magnificent State Apartments still used for state occasions and royal receptions (if option selected). Take some time to explore the castle grounds and the 14th century St. George's Chapel, where you can admire one of the most beautiful examples of medieval church architecture in England. Next, go to the standing stones of Stonehenge, still clouded in mystery as an amazing feat of human engineering. Explore the prehistoric stone circle and learn about the theories around its construction (if option selected). Continue to the university city of Oxford, known as "The City of Dreaming Spires." A seat of learning since 1249, it's an idyllic location to explore on a fascinating walking tour.

From London: Oxford and Cotswolds Villages Day Trip

5. From London: Oxford and Cotswolds Villages Day Trip

Embark on a full-day guided trip to Oxford and Cotswolds from London. See the historic Oxford University, explore the Cotswolds villages, and admire the lush English countryside. Depart London and travel by a luxury Mercedes minibus and spend the morning exploring the beautiful university city of Oxford. Wander amongst the listed buildings and colleges, and climb one of the vantage points for breathtaking views of the spires. Marvel at the Ashmolean Museum's collection before making your way to the quaint Cotswolds villages to see traditional tiny cottages built from stone. Arrive at the village of Burford, the Gateway to the Cotswolds, and lose yourself in this bustling market town. Make the short journey to Bibury and stroll to the famous and fairytale-like Arlington Row. Admire these 14th-century cottages and gain an insight into the history from your guide. After, enjoy the scenic ride back to London.

From London: Windsor, Oxford & Stonehenge Full-Day Trip

6. From London: Windsor, Oxford & Stonehenge Full-Day Trip

Windsor Castle Windsor Castle perches proudly on a lush wooded hill overlooking the Thames. Sweeping landscaped gardens and turreted Round Tower, it’s easy to see why it’s the King’s favourite weekend residence. Enjoy a fascinating through–the–keyhole peek at the lavish State Apartments, home to priceless artworks by Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci, and visit St. George’s Chapel, the atmospheric final resting place of former monarchs including Henry VIII. You can visit Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. Mysterious Stonehenge The true meaning of this ancient, awe-inspiring creation has been lost in the mists of time. Was Stonehenge a temple for sun worship, a healing centre, a burial site or perhaps a huge calendar? How did our ancestors manage to carry the mighty stones from so far away and then, using only the most primitive of tools, build this amazing structure? Surrounded by mystery, Stonehenge never fails to impress. Oxford Follow in the footsteps of Oxford’s famous students, from C.S. Lewis to Bill Clinton, as you stroll the captivating college courtyards and cobbled lanes of this historic university town. Take in the famous ‘city of dreaming spires’ and see the Bodleian Library – one of the oldest libraries in Europe – on your visit. You’ll be captivated by the unspoilt narrow alleys and ancient squares of this naturally beautiful town. Estimated arrival time back in London is around 7.00pm

Morse, Lewis and Endeavour Walking Tour of Oxford

7. Morse, Lewis and Endeavour Walking Tour of Oxford

Go beyond the dreaming spires of Oxford and explore the university city from a different perspective. Follow in the footsteps of the TV series "Inspector Morse" and its spin-off shows "Lewis" and "Endeavour." Enter the fictional world of the author Colin Dexter and his famous detectives as you visit sites where scenes were filmed in the old city center. Start at the stone monument of the Martyrs' Memorial outside Balliol College, and continue to venues such as the luxury Randolph Hotel and the traditional White Horse pub. Venture down Broad Street, learn about the streets and other places familiar to fans of Morse, and get behind-the-scenes information about how the characters were developed.

Oxford: Morse/Lewis and Endeavour Walking Tour

8. Oxford: Morse/Lewis and Endeavour Walking Tour

Meet your qualified green (or blue) badge guide at Martyrs Memorial on St Giles for a 2-hour walking tour of Oxford with emphasis on the filming of Morse/Lewis and Endeavour. Your guide will give a brief introduction to the city and the university, and from here you will head off through the very heart of Oxford to explore locations associated with the filming. You will see many of the colleges (from the outside), as well as The Bodleian Library, Old Schools Quadrangle, The Weston Library and The Radcliffe Camera.  Other sites will include The Bridge of Sighs and many of the pubs where the words ‘pint Morse’ were often spoken! Each tour is different, a script is not followed, and the best route will be chosen on the day to give you the very best experience.

Oxford Castle and Prison: Guided Tour

9. Oxford Castle and Prison: Guided Tour

Step into 1,000 years of Oxford’s history with a costumed tour guide. Climb the Saxon St. George’s Tower, descend deep underground into the 900-year-old Crypt, explore the Victorian Prison D-Wing and Debtors' Tower, and scale the Mound of the 11th-century Motte-and-Bailey castle. Built in 1071 and only closed in 1996, Oxford Castle & Prison is a site with so many fascinating tales to tell. From the modern day stretching all the way back to the barbaric medieval era. The site has links to the birth of education in Oxford, the famous legends of King Arthur, the valiant escape of Empress Matilda and the infamous modern-day cases of murderers and criminals. For hundreds of years, the site has held both famous and infamous residents, serving time as a religious site, a home for royalty, and a center of justice as the county jail. After your 50-minute tour, you will be led into the exhibition wing where you can explore at your own leisure.

London: Windsor, Oxford, and Stonehenge Tour

10. London: Windsor, Oxford, and Stonehenge Tour

Uncover the charms of picturesque Windsor, explore the academic centre of excellence that is Oxford, and marvel at ancient Stonehenge in its majestic grandeur on this full-day tour departing from London. Leave in the morning and drive to Windsor, a place awash with natural beauty. Discover the 17th-century historical monuments that line its cobbled streets. You can also choose the option to visit the home of King Charles III, the world’s largest and oldest castle. Later, make your way to Stonehenge, its rocks rising up against the skyline on Salisbury Hill. Was this mysterious site a temple, a clock, or a burial ground? Decide for yourself as you explore the landmark that has had the world stumped for 5,000 years. Finally, head to Oxford for a walking tour. Follow in the footsteps of the city's famous students, from C.S. Lewis to Bill Clinton, as you stroll the captivating courtyards and cobbled lanes of this historic university town. Take in the famous "city of dreaming spires" and see the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe, on your visit. Be captivated by the narrow alleys and ancient squares of this naturally beautiful town.

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Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 3,353 reviews

What an absolutely amazing, enjoyable experience. My tour guide, Valentina and driver Paul were so warm and welcoming and extremely knowledgeable! Enough time was allowed to enjoy each location as well as freshen up and grab a coffee or lunch. We enjoyed every minute of our trip in their luxury mini bus and were so sad when it ended! Highly recommended.

The tour was excellent, we enjoyed finding out the history of the places we have seen and the guide, Rob, was amazing and he answered all the questions.

The trip to Stonehenge, Windsor and Oxford was just amazing! Debora and Joseph were absolutely nice, thank you for making my trip wonderful!

Charismatic and very knowledgeable! Superb! It was full of fun facts and a great overview of the famous sites.

Great tour from Francesco ,knowledgeable & entertaining.