Top South East England Cultural Tours - page 3

Begin in Oxford’s historic heart, cycling past iconic landmarks like the Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Library, and Bridge of Sighs. Hear stories of the city’s famous figures, from world leaders to writers like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Leave the center for peaceful riverside paths along the Thames, where rowing boats and tree-lined banks reveal a quieter side of Oxford. Continue to the charming village of Iffley, home to stone cottages and a beautiful Norman church. Ride onward to Port Meadow, an ancient landscape of grazing horses and open skies. With the ease of an e-bike, explore far beyond a walking tour at a relaxed pace. All sites are viewed externally.

Are you wondering what to do in Windsor apart from visiting the castle? Go beyond the castle and discover all the beautiful sights that Windsor has to offer with this self-guided walking tour. Discover how the British Royal family has shaped the town of Windsor. Discover fun facts like the reason why Windsor has 2 railway stations and how a dog supposedly invented the Eton Mess. This walk is perfect for those who are in Windsor for a day and want to discover popular spots and hidden gems at their own pace. The tour begins conveniently at the Windsor & Eton Riverside Train Station, passes by the Windsor Castle & crooked house, covers prominent landmarks like the Queen Victoria statue and the long walk before ending near the prestigious Eton College. Please note that Windsor castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Eton college can be visited only with a guided tour on Fridays. Entry to these is not a part of the tour and you may want to plan your Windsor visit accordingly.

Explore the charming countryside of the Cotswolds away from the crowds with this private guided tour. Travel in comfort in a private car and visit locations large tours can’t get to, and experience historical villages and towns like Chipping Camden, Lower Slaughter, Bibury, and more, with plenty of time to explore each location.

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.

This magical walking tour is led by an award-winning Green Badge tour guide. It will introduce you to the extraordinary history and people who've shaped our city of dreaming spires. From Alice in Wonderland to JRR Tolkien, Oxford has inspired many timeless stories. But its real history is just as fascinating, and often just as strange… As we walk around Oxford's famous buildings and explore its world-renowned university and colleges this glorious city will reveal its secrets to you. This is a great tour if you only have a short time in Oxford or are visiting for the first time. I can tailor it to your interests so let me know if you are particularly interested in Harry Potter, Tolkien, CS Lewis, Morse, Alice in Wonderland etc. If you want to visit a specific college or the Divinity School you will have to pay an extra entrance fee - we can discuss the options when you book.

Get to grips with the 1,000-year history of Windsor Castle on a private tour of the royal residence. Rather than following a large group, you’ll explore the castle’s grounds and interior— including highlights such as the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel—at your own pace and enjoy the undivided attention of your private guide.

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.

On this exclusive private tour, you will discover over 2,000 years of Canterbury's incredible history with a professional, fully qualified guide who is passionate about the city, with many stories to share with you! First up your expert, local guide will lead you through the medieval lanes and narrow cobbled streets with their eclectic mix of historic timber buildings, pilgrim inns, and modern architecture, where you’ll hear the story of Thomas Becket's murder, Chaucer's pilgrims, Marlowe's suspicious death, and royal visits. Following the city tour, you will join your own private guide within the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral, where you will uncover 1400 years of history through its soaring architecture, glorious glass and stunning stonework. A truly breathtaking spectacle. Where possible, you will have the same guide for the duration of your City and Cathedral tour.

On this fully guided walking tour of Oxford’s must-see top 10 highlights, visitors can discover the treasures of one of the greatest university cities in the world. This tour offers the best opportunity to see the very best of Oxford. Starting from the heart of Oxford's historical centre, your expert local guide offers a wonderful engaging tour through the vibrant historical streets of Oxford visiting both well-known sites and hidden gems where visitors can see, and experience so much more, than they could on their own. Packed full of incredible insights and up-close historical visits, including the Bridge of Sighs, the 14th-century New College, and magnificent Divinity Library, this interactive, three hour tour is the essential guide into Oxford city and England’s fascinating history. Visit Oxford’s Top 10, including Bridge of Sighs, the 13th century New College as well as the magnificent Divinity Library, where many of the Harry Potter moves were filmed.

Explore the lives of two of Oxford's greatest writers, and their friendship, with an award-winning guide. On this tour we will follow in the footsteps of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. We will see where they studied, taught, lived, worshipped, lectured, wrote and - most importantly - drank with their friends the Inklings. Out of these friendships and conversations emerged Aslan, Gandalf and many other much-loved characters and stories. Both men became extremely famous in their lifetimes, but never gave up their day-jobs of teaching in the English department. We will explore CS Lewis's conversion to Christianity and late-life marriage to Joy Gresham, and hear about Tolkien's student pranks and life-long deep love for trees. We will end at the beautiful college of Magdalen, where Lewis taught for nearly 30 years and the Inklings met every Thursday. If you want to go inside it, you will need to pay the entrance fee, which is £9.50 adults/£8.50 concessions.

The tour starts at the war memorial beside St Thomas' Church, where Norman overlords once used religion as an instrument of power. You'll follow the medieval grid that still defines Lymington today, visit the Angel Inn courtyard where a churchwarden ran a lucrative smuggling operation, and hear stories of French Royalist troops billeted during the Revolution. The tour ends at Fishermen's Quay, where the river that gave Lymington its reason for existing still flows, and where the Essex Regiment embarked for Normandy on 3rd June, 1944. Along the way you'll uncover the story of Captain Arthur Phillip, who left from this quay to found Australia's first colony, and discover General James Wolfe's last night in England before winning Canada from the French.

Escape the busy tourist routes and discover the charm of the Cotswolds with a private, tailor-made tour led by a professional local guide. Travelling in the comfort of a private car, you’ll explore postcard-perfect villages, hidden gems, and scenic spots that large tour groups can’t reach. Create your own itinerary or follow my recommendations, blending famous sights with lesser-known treasures. Enjoy plenty of time to wander honey-stone streets, browse independent shops, or capture stunning landscapes through your lens. As a local photographer, I’ll guide you to the best photo stops. With a flexible schedule and relaxed pace, you'll experience the Cotswolds through the eyes of someone who lives here. Each tour is crafted around your interests—be it history, scenery, local flavours, or a bit of everything. * Hotel pick-up and drop-off is available if you're staying in the Cotswolds. Please ask, I'll do my best.

Blenheim Palace is known for being the birthplace of Winston Churchill, and the former home of the Duke of Marlborough. Learn more about this magnificent building by going on a guided tour. A guide enriches the experience with fascinating historical stories about how the palace was built, its most notable features, and entertaining stories such as when the main architect was refused entry.

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.

This Oxford Guided Tour is an ideal choice for first-time visitors to the city, especially those who are Harry Potter fans. As it’s a private tour, you won’t waste any time waiting around for other travelers and can customize your tour based on your needs. Decide which sites you want to visit, and enjoy a day exploring Oxford’s top landmarks with a guide. Potential attractions you’ll see include New College, and the Divinity School at the Bodleian Library.

Explore Canterbury at pace during a running tour that reveals part of the historic city that you might otherwise miss. This experience is limited to only five runners, to make sure it caters to both beginner and expert joggers—you’ll run at a pace suited to the entire group, so that nobody gets left behind.

Get a history lesson and tour a beautiful English city on this private tour to Salisbury from Southampton. Highlights include seeing the Magna Carta in Salisbury Cathedral and photographing one of the tallest spires in the UK. Relax in your private, air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi and ample luggage space, with convenient hotel pickup included.

Immerse yourself in Britain’s world war seaside history with this private day trip to the Kent coast. After a visit to the Edwardian seaside town of Folkestone, you’ll check out the Battle of Britain Memorial where Spitfire and Hurricane planes can be seen. Look out at the sea from the White Cliffs of Dover. Perfect for modern British history buffs, the excursion offers a more personal tour with your own private guide.

See Canterbury in less time with this express tour of the city. Perfect if you’re a time-crunched traveler, the tour offers a condensed itinerary that focuses on Canterbury’s storied history and culture. Hear about Thomas Becket at the St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, learn of Christopher Marlowe as you pass by the Marlowe Theatre, and get the lowdown on “The Canterbury Tales” at the statue of Geoffrey Chaucer.

Explore Christchurch, Oxford’s most prestigious college on an ancient site. Harry Potter was filmed, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland were conceived here, and 13 British Prime Ministers educated and famousHarry Potter scenes filmed. Visit the Hall, staircase, medieval cathedral, and more of its architectural marvels. The tour continues with a beautifully curated introduction to Oxford’s architectural and historical highlights, featuring its most iconic sites, offering a concise yet immersive journey through centuries of history and culture. An Institute of Tourist Guiding (ITG) certified guide is one of the few permitted to lead visitors inside Christchurch. You will enjoy an informed and enriching experience. ITG green and blue badge guides meet strict standards of historical knowledge, guiding expertise, and visitor safety. This tour is available in English, French, or both.

If you’re short on time but want to see the picturesque village that typify Kent, look no further than this day trip from Dover, Folkestone, Ashford, or Canterbury. With a choice of departure time, the private tour can be tailored to you and your interests. Start with a hotel or port pickup, then travel to the most photo-worthy spots around Kent. Visits to medieval town of Sandwich, coastal town of Deal, and of, course, the UNESCO-listed white Cliffs of Dover are all on the list.

Test your spell-craft & knowledge of all things Potter with our guide. We are the original Harry Potter in Oxford walking tour- find out why many others copied our success by joining our tour to find out all about how Oxford inspired Hogwarts and JK Rowling's influences and loads of insights about the actors, the producers and of course about Oxford too. This tour includes entry to arguably one of the most appealing and one of the oldest and likely most haunted colleges called New college. At New college, you can marvel at the gorgeous medieval dining hall, chapel, cloisters, quadrangle and the medieval wall of the city. In the cloisters and garden is where several scenes were filmed in the Goblet of Fire, Includes £12 entry fee to New college. NOTICE: see what's Not Included section for partial closures! 10.45am TOURS TO BE BOOKED BY 20.30!

Discover the rich history and unique architecture of Oxford on a personalized walking tour led by an experienced, independent, local guide (we're new here on Viator). 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 - 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.

Learn about the long and rich history of Oxford University with this private walking tour for a group of up to 15 people. Hear more about the university from your professional guide, as you walk around and pass by several of the colleges, including Balliol, Exeter, Corpus Christi, Merton, Magdalen, and more.