FREE TOURS OF OXFORD

Historic, elegant and bursting with highbrow culture, Oxford is one of the UK’s most visited cities. Famous for its world class university and being the ‘real’ home of Hogwart, Oxford has some of the most beautiful architecture in the country – as well as a river that’s perfect for sailing lazily down. There are all kinds of exciting things to do in this compact city, and luckily, it’s the perfect size to explore on foot. But if you’re a budget conscious traveller, you may not want to fork out a small fortune to discover this city’s many delights. If that’s the case, check out three of our favourite free tours of Oxford and save the pennies for another day.

1. Premium Scholar's Walking Tour

If Oxford’s history is what intrigues you most, the free tour from Oxford Walking Tours will be right up your street. Led by Oxford University educated guides, you’ll learn all about the most enthralling aspects of Oxford’s glorious past, from ancient landmarks to the dark secrets this city would prefer to forget. You’ll visit sites at the university that are more than 800 years old, and wander through celebrated buildings like the world famous Bodleian Library, the Bridge of Sighs, the Medieval School of Divinity, and Christ Church Meadows. This is a tour that delves deep into the past, covering Oxford’s humble beginnings as an early Saxon town to its current status as a world centre of learning – and you’ll get an insight into what it’s really like to be an Oxford University student by people who have been there and done that. If that weren’t enough, you’ll also visit filming sites made famous by the Harry Potter films, The Chronicles of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, Lord of the Rings, and Inspector Morse.

2. Two Hour Footprints of Oxford Walking Tour

Alternatively, you can book yourself onto the first, original free tour of Oxford. Led by extremely knowledgeable locals guides, the two hour free walking tour by Footprints Tours gives you the inside scoop on student life, college rivalries and all the bizarre traditions this university is known for. You’ll visit multiple different colleges, including All Souls College, Trinity College, Oriel College, Hertford College and Merton College, and learn what each is known for and who their most notable graduates are – as well as hear funny stories of what they got up to while they were meant to be studying! You’ll follow in the footsteps of celebrated authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, learn new facts about Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, and, at the end of the tour, get to hear Footprints Tours’ famous “finishing story”, which describes how the most influential Archbishop of Canterbury that England has ever seen was burnt at the stake in Oxford. 

3. Wandering Tour of Oxford

If you’re visiting Oxford for the first time and want to get a comprehensive overview of the city, then book yourself onto the Wander Oxford Free Walking Tour. For two hours you’ll stroll through the medieval streets as you learn all about how the university has shaped the city over the years, and visit some of its most spectacular landmarks. You’ll follow your guide along routes Oxford locals take and enjoy fascinating facts, funny stories, and unusual anecdotes as you amble. The tour stops include the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian Theatre, St Mary’s Church, the City Wall, multiple museums, pubs where J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis drank, Inspector Morse and Harry Potter filming locations, Halley’s house, Martyr’s Memorial, and the oldest pub in Oxford… so make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes! At the end of the tour, your guide will answer any questions you have and will give you a free map of the city with suggestions of where you can visit next.

Thanks for reading!