10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Oxfordshire That You Shouldn't Miss

February 9, 2022 Marissa Gamble

Discover the best top things to do in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom including Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace - Small Groups, The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily, Blenheim Palace - Private Tour From London, 'Inspector Morse,' 'Lewis,' and 'Endeavour' Walking Tour of Oxford, Oxford Highlights Small Group Tour , Cotswold Taster Tour from Oxford, Oxford Official University & City Tour, Small-Group 'Downton Abbey' and Highclere Castle Tour from London, Oxford and Traditional Cotswolds Villages Small-Group Day Tour from London, Harry Potter Insights Oxford PUBLIC Tour daily at 12.30.
Restaurants in Oxfordshire

1. Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace - Small Groups

Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England Footprints Tours Oxford
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Size Matters - we are big on details, small on group sizes! The only company to offer daily trips, with such small intimate groups.  • Maximum 8 people - allowing restricted access to protected areas • Visit Burford, Burton on the Water and Bidbury - that exact cotswold vibe your looking for! • Enter Blenheim Palace, the largest non Royal Palace in England  All with the services of a fun and entertaining guide, to bring out the drama of these sites - strictly no boring tours!

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Professional guide, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch, Entrance To Blenheim Palace

Reviewed By C4677HXsandyc

Fred was fantastic! So much information about the amazing history of Oxford, and a lot of great stories to make you laugh, learn and really think. I would absolutely recommend this tour for anyone coming to Oxford.

2. The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily

Oxford Visitor Information Centre, 15-16 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AS, UK Visit Oxford Tours
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Our tour includes entry into Magdalen college worth £7 per person. All other colleges are currently closed this year. This tour focuses on the Inklings' Oxford but also introduces the city history + university life. See inspiring sights relating to CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien on a 2 hour+ tour of the sights where they worked & relaxed, including the pubs they enjoyed. Locations visited include Magdalene or Merton college plus where and when open, we also visit Exeter college. Various start times are offered but please note that Magdalen is not open mornings outside of summer season.

Inclusions: Magdalen college entry fees worth £7 per adult included in ticket price

Exclusions: Approx Dec 21 to Jan 2, college venues usually closed but we'll try to enter any other colleges

Reviewed By Q8577SCnicolar

Renata was an excellent guide, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We really enjoyed finding out more about our local town.

3. Blenheim Palace - Private Tour From London

Richard's Tours
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5.0 based on 10 reviews

A private and bespoke tour with your own driver and guide direct from your London accommodation to the stunning Blenheim Palace. Seat of the Dukes Of Marlborough and birth place of Sir Winston Churchill in 1874. Blenheim is quite simply breathtaking or as King George III said to Queen Caroline - "We have nothing to equal this" You will have plenty of time to fully appreciate the Palace at your leisure, and stroll through the beautiful grounds landscaped by Lancelot Capability Brown. You will also have the chance to visit the burial place of Sir Winston Churchill and his Wife Lady Clementine in nearby Bladon. • Private Driver & Guide Direct From London • No rushing or herding around - Tour at your pace • Optional Traditional Pub Lunch in Cotswold borders • Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off • All entrance fees, travel & personal guide included.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By 512divines

I'm really glad I booked with Richard's Tours and certainly wasn't dissapointed! I had other things on in the morning so with short notice, Richard responded to agree a meet in the afternoon and he was bang on time. He was presentable, amiable and down to earth. It was immediately obvious that he was very keen to share his well researched knowledge, which was reassuring given that having paid for a private tour, I was getting a lot more than an off the shelf group tour (from what others have described to me). Born a Londoner and more than familiar with the area, he regularly checked that the tour pace was comfortable to ensure I was happy with the 3 hour route. He was very helpful with fotos and encouraged questions and discussions on this still mysterious subject, which is pretty clear that he's personally interested in, so much so that in the short time, not only did I acquire a lot of knowledge, but he's actually perked my own interest in Jack The Ripper! Although some parts of the area are still dodgy, I felt completely at ease being with Richard, who increasingly came across as more of a friendly local rather than a tour guide, and despite the atrocious weather, the 3 hours passed well beyond my expectations given his abilities - so excellent value for money. In conclusion, I should add that I'm also from London, but Richard's Tours aren't just for tourists, so if you're short on time and want a knowledgeable host, then Richard Chambers is your man. I, for one, will be checking out his other tours!

4. 'Inspector Morse,' 'Lewis,' and 'Endeavour' Walking Tour of Oxford

Martyrs' Memorial, 13 Magdalen St, Oxford OX1 3AE, UK Walking Tours of Oxford
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5.0 based on 247 reviews

In 1987 John Thaw hit the British TV screens as the iconic Inspector Morse and Oxford has not been the same since! A total of 33 episodes were filmed over a period of thirteen years on the streets of Oxford (although a couple were not filmed in Oxford). The years 2006 – 2015 were the Lewis era, during which Lewis and Hathaway tried to make the streets of Oxford safe. We now have the prequel, Endeavour, and a new season is currently being filmed. On this 1 hour and 45 mins small-group walking tour, your specialist and fully qualified guides (member of The Institute of Tourist Guiding and The Oxford Guild of Tour Guides) who have witnessed the filming and met the cast will be delighted to show you some of the scenes, although they cannot promise to cover over 80 hours of filming in just two hours! No children under 16. Adult tickets required.

Inclusions: Local Blue Badge guide

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By deborahn657

We booked a bubble tour with Simon, it was excellent, found out so many interesting information with regards to Oxford and the Universities would highly recommend

5. Oxford Highlights Small Group Tour

Christ Church War Memorial Gardens, Broad Walk, Oxford OX1 1DB, UK Walking Tours of Oxford
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4.9 based on 38 reviews

*SMALL GROUP TOUR - NUMBER RESTRICTED - AUDIO HEADSET SYSTEM*QUALIFIED GUIDES* Your fully qualified guides - members of The Institute of Tourist Guiding and The Oxford Guild of Tour guides are delighted to offer this 'Simply Oxford University' tour to experience the very best of Oxford in just under 2 hours. Meet at Christ Church memorial gardens for this comprehensive small-group walking tour of the city and see many of the famous colleges and university buildings.  Perfectly timed to ensure you maximise your visit to this beautiful city. At the end, your guide will provide further information and suggestions for what to do in Oxford including further colleges, museums and restaurants.  This tour represents outstanding value for money as we keep our groups small in size and that is what make this tour unique.

Inclusions: Local Blue Badge guide - Fully Qualified and member of The Institute of Tourist Guiding, Entry to a college (subject to availability .. not currently possible due to C-19), Small Group Tour - limited numbers, So you can hear the guide clearly no matter how busy!

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By deborahn657

We booked a bubble tour with Simon, it was excellent, found out so many interesting information with regards to Oxford and the Universities would highly recommend

6. Cotswold Taster Tour from Oxford

Oxford Visitor Information Centre, 15-16 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AS, UK Cotswold Exploring
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4.9 based on 12 reviews

The Cotswolds is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which has inspired artists, writers and philosophers for many centuries.  Come and discover idyllic English villages, nestling in quiet valleys, small stone thatched cottages, majestic castles and manors, and charming high streets peppered with quaint tea shops and antiques shops. Let your knowledgeable guides show you the English countryside at its best. This is an extended half-day tour from Oxford, ideal for those who would love to see some of the Cotswold villages, but cannot spare a whole day.  

Inclusions: Blue Badge guide, Hotel drop-off (select hotels only), Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Bottled water and select beverages, Pick up and drop off on request from hotels in North Oxford, Pick up and drop off from Oxford Railway Station on request.

Exclusions: Meals not included

Reviewed By Karen S

My friend booked a tour to the cotswolds for my birthday, we wasn’t disappointed we had a really fantastic time, our tour guild Isobel and David was very knowledgable and interesting, we had a great time. I would strongly recommend this company very professional.

7. Oxford Official University & City Tour

23-25 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AX, UK Oxford Official Walking Tours
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4.9 based on 211 reviews

An Oxford Official Walking Tour is the best way to explore the city of the Dreaming spires led by one of our knowledgeable guides through our award-winning 2-hour University & City Tour. You will be able to walk past Oxford’s most popular sights, including its colleges*, the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bridge of Sights and many more! This University & City Tour is the best way to learn about the history and the secrets of Oxford, the University and its colleges. Be led down the secret lanes and alleyways, and let years of history unfold before you. Your guide will also walk past Oxford’s most famous movie locations, including Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland and the Morse, Lewis & Endeavour TV series and tell you the story of great academics and scientist who have studied and lived in our beautiful heritage city. *Oxford University colleges are currently closed due to Covid-19, therefore you will only be able to see them from outside.

Inclusions: Guided walking tour

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Reviewed By 809gerardineb

Really enjoyed it! Great guide- Melanie- so knowledgeable. Good company too. Not too much rain either

8. Small-Group 'Downton Abbey' and Highclere Castle Tour from London

Hard Rock Cafe, Great Cumberland Pl, Marble Arch, Marylebone, London W1H 7DL, UK International Friends
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4.7 based on 75 reviews

Visit Highclere Castle, the Cotswolds village of Bampton and other sites on a full-day 'Downton Abbey' tour from London! After traveling to Oxfordshire with an expert guide, knowledgeable about the hit British TV series, visit a farm near the village of Cogges, and then continue to Bampton — the setting of Downton village. See the church and the popular Grantham Arms pub, and then spend the afternoon at Highclere Castle aka the Grantham family home. Tour the state rooms and gardens and learn all about the real-life Carnarvon family who own the estate. Numbers are limited to 18 on this small-group tour, ensuring personalized attention from a guide.

Inclusions: Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Professional guide, Entry to Cogges Manor Farm, Guided tour of Bampton , Entry to Highclere Castle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By Felizviajeros

We were scheduled for a Baltic /St.Petersburg cruise and Pre London package and due to pandemic it was cancelled for two years in a row. Tom took excellent care of us and arranged our full refund with no problem! Outstanding customer service! We will most definitely use this company when we are able to travel again!

9. Oxford and Traditional Cotswolds Villages Small-Group Day Tour from London

Green Line Coach Station, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London SW1W 9SS, UK Rabbie's
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4.6 based on 215 reviews

The Cotswolds are like stepping into a landscape painting. Vivid green colours, lush waterways and the most delightful cottages. And Oxford needs no introduction. The city of students, spires and sumptuous cathedrals is as inspirational as it is fascinating. Join this 10-hour, guided small-group tour and experience two of England’s most deservedly-famous locations. Transportation between attractions is included. Food and drinks can be purchased along the way.

Inclusions: Driver Guide, Transport by top of the range Mercedes mini-coach, Small Group Tour with maximum 16 people

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Admission fees

Reviewed By mk1956

If this is the Rabies Tour it is totally outstanding !! We enjoyed it immensely. Our guide was Dan from Wales. He was excellent. Next year 2022 we plan to book a Rabies Tour for Scotland and we're going to fill our own bus! Can't wait

10. Harry Potter Insights Oxford PUBLIC Tour daily at 12.30

Oxford Visitor Information Centre, 15-16 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AS, UK Visit Oxford Tours
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4.6 based on 195 reviews

Winter 2020-2021, this tour visits inside the only Harry Potter film site now open to the public- the Divinity school at the Bodleian Library. Entry fee worth £2.50 per person is included in your ticket. How does studying at Oxford University compare with studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Find out on this 90 minute walking tour of Oxford Harry Potter film sites, Fun tour for Muggles of all ages. Guide will cater the tour according to everyone's interests, introducing also Oxford heritage.  Due to social distancing, tours will be limited to small family size groups

Inclusions: Please see the section titled 'Additional Information' or 'Voucher Details' for info on any and all dates on which due to partial or full closures of film sites venues that are known at this time., See inside the Divinity school film site at Bodleian library + see many super sights from outside

Exclusions: NB all university colleges are closed in 2020 due to Covid19 closures

Reviewed By Q8577SCnicolar

Renata was an excellent guide, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We really enjoyed finding out more about our local town.

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