Top Oxford How to Get Around in 2026

Admire the highlights of England’s Cotswolds on this full-day, small-group tour from Oxford. Traveling by air-conditioned minivan with a driver-guide, stop to explore villages such as Great Tew and Stow-on-the-Wold. En route, enjoy lunch (own expense) in Burford, stroll around Bourton-on-the-Water, and visit the village and 15th-century ruins of Minster Lovell. Includes transport and central Oxford pickup and drop-off, with entrance fees at your expense.

The audio guide serves as a handy mobile companion for a self-guided tour in Oxford. This tour is specifically designed for those looking to explore the city in a short span of time (1.5-2 hours). Simply follow the route on the app's map, which takes you from Oxford Castle to University Park, passing by colleges and other notable landmarks. You're guaranteed to see: Carfax Tower, Tom Tower, Alice's Shop, Christ Church College, St. Mary's University Church, Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs, The favourite pubs and a bench of J.R.R. Tolkien. Once you've downloaded the tour, the app runs offline. The audio guide can always be heard clearly through your headphones. Enjoy captivating stories and legends at your own pace, without the need to keep up with a tour group. Feel free to pause for a break in a café, or explore a scenic alleyway before resuming your tour. If you only have a few hours to explore Oxford, make the most of it with the audio guide.

Get the inside scoop on Oxford's storied history on this private walking tour. Through your dedicated guide's informative narration, learn about the evolution of the university and all the achievements that have taken place there. Enjoy a flexible itinerary, personalized attention and plenty of time to ask questions, since this is a private tour for just you and your party.

Discover the rich history and unique architecture of Oxford on a personalized walking tour led by an experienced, independent, local guide. This tour provides insights into the Oxford University system, the colleges, and fascinating stories of notable figures who shaped the city. Tailor your experience by choosing a theme such as literature, history, or music to enhance your visit. Enjoy the flexibility of a private tour, allowing you to explore hidden corners and learn about the vibrant student life at Oxford today. A visit to one or more colleges is highly recommended for a complete experience. - Private tour tailored to your interests and schedule (see example itinerary) - Flexible duration, typically 2 hours, with options to extend - Explore themes like literature, history, and architecture - Entry to one or more colleges can be arranged. We will arrange this with you in advance. This is an extra cost. - Prices include the Contrada Tours pre-tour planning service by WhatsApp.

Immerse yourself in the world of Inspector Morse, Lewis, and Hathaway during this 2-hour walking tour in Oxford. Listen to stories about the city's most famous detectives and stop at landmarks such as Broad Street, the White Horse pub, and the Randolph Hotel.

Solve cryptic clues, uncover stories, and enjoy the excitement of following a treasure map with this private self-guided adventure around Oxford. No need to pick up any equipment—simply access the game via a link on your smartphone and you’re ready to begin. The treasure hunt is all outdoors, which is the perfect way to avoid crowds, and it’s a great way to learn lesser-known facts about Oxford too.

Experience England’s Cotswolds on a private tour that whisks you around its highlights so you don’t have to worry about itineraries or transport. Avoid the inconveniences of a DIY or large-group trip, and relax on a chauffeur-driven tour of the must-see towns and villages. See the riverbank houses of Bourton-on-the-Water, and admire honey-stoned Broadway and other gems; all with a driver-guide for personalized service plus flexible pickup and drop-off options.

Explore Oxford, the city of dreamy steeples, discovering its 26 iconic places of interest in one day. This 5km tour takes you to the heart of history with stops at Covered Market, Oxford Castle and Prison and the famous Bodleian Library. Admire architectural wonders like the Radcliffe Camera and the Sheldonian Theatre, while enjoying captivating anecdotes about the world’s oldest university. This route, ideal for history and culture lovers, guarantees you a total immersion in Oxford's heritage. - 5 km walking tour through the historic centre of Oxford - Discover 26 monuments and major sites of the city - Enjoy historical anecdotes and local legends - Easy access for visitors, ideal for a day of exploration

Discover Oxford’s little-known dark side on this spooky, evening ghost tour through the city center. Listen to gruesome tales and stories of bizarre local happenings as you comb shadowy backstreets with your costumed guide. Discover major historical sights along the way. Entertaining and imaginative, family-friendly walking ghost tours are suitable for all ages.

Escape the city and explore the enchanting Cotswolds on this scenic tour from Oxford. Visit Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford for a delightful day trip. Highlights: • Discover the beauty of the Cotswolds on a day trip from Oxford • Visit beautiful villages including Bourton-on-the-water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford • Have spare time to explore each area at your own leisure • Enjoy return transportation on a luxury, air-conditioned coach

Set sail for a romantic cruise through the heart of Oxford—and pair your sightseeing with a classic afternoon tea—on this unique, two-in-one boat tour. Tuck into English teatime treats such as finger sandwiches and scones with jam and clotted cream as you glide downstream. Following a scenic route along the University Regatta Course, discover Oxford’s greenery and admire views of the University Boat Houses, Christ Church Meadows, and Iffley lock.

Learn all about Oxford’s history, architecture, and student culture from a local tour leader who knows about modern life in the city and the university first-hand. Your guide will be a former or current Oxford student, and they can’t wait to show you around the town and its famous university, from Trinity College to Sheldonian Theatre to the Bridge of Sighs, and much more on this private tour.

Explore Oxford’s historic town center and ivy-strewn university buildings on this bike tour. Cycle through the City of Dreaming Spires alongside a guide, and learn about the city’s history as you take in University of Oxford buildings where the likes of Oscar Wilde, J. R. R. Tolkien, and several British prime ministers have studied. This bike tour allows you to cover more ground than you would on a walking tour, as well as access pedestrianized areas inaccessible to tour buses.

Discover the charm of Oxford and its historic pubs on this small group guided evening walk. Starting at the Tap Social Bar in The Covered Market, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and delicious food options before meeting your guide. Stroll along Broad Street to the renowned Turf Tavern, where you can savor a complimentary half-pint of ale while soaking in the local history. Continue to the Bear Inn, one of the oldest pubs in the world, and hear captivating stories as you enjoy another round. The tour concludes at the Royal Blenheim , known for its extensive ale selection, with recommendations for further explorations in Oxford. - Walking tour exploring Oxford's main sights and iconic pubs - Visit historic landmarks like the Sheldonian Theatre and Radcliffe Camera - Enjoy a complimentary drink at Turf Tavern - Discover local history and insider tips from your knowledgeable guide

Discover the supernatural side of Oxford with this after-hours guided walking tour around Oxford. Hear spooky tales from pesky pub poltergeists to bloody battles as you walk the cobblestone streets past ancient colleges and public houses believed to be haunted, while hearing stories of encounters with spirits and ghosts and other supernatural phenomena. Enjoy an exclusive 10% discount at the Cool Britannia Gift Shop as part of your tour.

The Cotswolds are famed for their beautiful villages, but route-planning, navigating, and finding parking can be a major headache—particularly during high season. This convenient tour from Oxford lets you leave all that to your driver-guide (a Cotswolds local), while you just soak up the views. Minibus transportation means you travel roads and visit villages where big buses simply don’t fit, such as the scenic route between Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water.

Many travelers know the Cotswolds’ tourist hotspots, but the village of Blockley isn’t such a well-known name. However, the village is the real-life backdrop of “Father Brown,” the much-loved BBC TV series, and filming locations and picturesque streets abound. With a guide, check off the different sites, hear insider stories of “Father Brown,” and enjoy a typical Cotswolds village without too many other tourists around.

Explore the ‘uncomfortable’ side of the Ashmolean Museum. This tour highlights the contentious histories within museum spaces, bringing forward discussions about colonial origins, object transferal networks, and requests for repatriation. It encourages critical thinking and engagement with the Ashmolean Museum, its collections, and its displays. Delving into the intricate layers of history behind the exhibits, this tour will provide insight into the imperial connections that led to the development of the first public museum in England. Through the questioning of labels, displays, and exhibits, this tour asks participants: What is the purpose of a museum? All our tours are led by university researchers who have completed our official Uncomfortable Oxford training programme. Our guides combine expert knowledge and performance, ensuring each tour is a fun and educational experience. The tour has been developed in collaboration with the Ashmolean Museum staff and curators.

With a guide, you'll visit the Divinity School film site at the Bodleian Library. Ponder how studying at Oxford University compares to being a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and learn a bit about Oxford's history as your guide tailors the tour to the interests of everyone in your group.

Explore the world of ‘The Inklings’—the mid-20th-century writers’ group that included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien—on this private Oxford walk. Rather than researching locations yourself, let a guide show you where the writers worked and relaxed. Visit Exeter College where Tolkien studied; and see Lewis’ Magdalen College and other sights while learning history and literary tales you’d otherwise miss. A choice of departure times gives you flexibility.

Visit filming locations from the British television series 'Inspector Morse,' as well as spin-offs 'Lewis' and 'Endeavour,' on this Oxford walking tour. With a guide, learn about the making of the detective show and visit Oxford University colleges to gain insight into what it might be like to be a student here. Entrance fees to select university locations are included; drinks are not.

Enjoy a relaxed, hassle-free evening in Oxford with this river cruise and dinner combination that takes care of both sightseeing and dining in one seamless experience. Cruise along the River Thames while sipping chilled prosecco and taking in peaceful views of Christchurch Meadows and the university boathouses. Afterward, head to a highly regarded city-center restaurant for a delicious three-course meal—perfect for making the most of your time without juggling separate bookings.

Explore the best sights of Cheltenham at your own pace with this flexible, self-guided audio tour. See sights like the Royal Crescent, Neptune Garden, Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square and Gardens, and more. Includes convenient turn-by-turn directions and maps, and automatic GPS playback, which can all be used offline.

LET US GO ON A LITTLE FORAGING MISSION TOGETHER! - Explore with me the local area by foot where I will show you around 50 (!) different edible wild plants plus a few poisonous ones - The walk also includes the sampling of foraged food/drinks and homemade natural skin salves/creams