10 Private Tours in Oxford That You Shouldn't Miss

June 28, 2021 Diedre Savory

In the "city of dreaming spires," academia takes center stage. Gaze out at Oxford's world-famous university from the top of Carfax Tower before heading into the city's pedestrian-friendly streets. Follow your nose to the Covered Market for the makings of a picnic to enjoy at Headington Hill Park. Mix the historic and modern with visits to the 12th-century village church of Iffley and trendy Cowley's ethnic shops and music venues.
Restaurants in Oxford

1. Oxford PRIVATE Pub and City Evening Walking Tour

Oxford Visitor Information Centre, 15-16 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AS, UK Visit Oxford Tours
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

You will learn lots about Oxford and what to see and do tips of the guide with your own private guide for the evening. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Oxford and explore its city streets at night. Average duration is 3 hours. Visit a handful of local pubs and learn the stories and urban legends behind them while socializing with others at the two or three historic pubs we visit. This tour offers a social night out in Oxford while you hear stories about local students and their antics, learn urban legends, discover the favourite hangouts of famous alumni, and pass the famous university at night.

Inclusions: Professional guide

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By Q8577SCnicolar

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

2. Inspector Morse, Lewis, and Endeavour Locations Private Walking Tour in Oxford

Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England Walking Tours of Oxford
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

An opportunity to join your professional Blue or Green Badge guide on this private 2-hour journey and visit some of the places where Morse, Lewis and Endeavour was filmed. Each tour is bespoke and the best route will be chosen on the day by your guide to really get the most out of your time in Oxford and to take account of any closures or events in Oxford. Fully qualified, your guides have the ability to give up to date information, judge the best route on the day, plan the best college to visit and weave the stories to your interests.

Inclusions: Private Blue Badge or Green 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

3. Oxford Guided Tour (in your foreign language)

Oxford Visitor Information Centre, 15-16 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AS, UK Visit Oxford Tours
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5.0 based on 13 reviews

COVID19 NOTICE: Except the Divinity School & Magdalen college, all colleges presently closed to public. Your guide will still show & tell you about all the famous sights & colleges. Wen will include £2.50 entry fee per person to the Divinity school on the tour. This is a Harry Potter film site where they filmed the infirmary scenes & dance scenes. Magdalen charges £6 entry-Magdalen is not included on this tour unless you agree to pay its entry fee directly to Magdalen on the day. Magdalen also only permits entry if very small group sizes viz max 5 persons. • Book private tour conducted by native speaker/fluent speaker in foreign language. • Learn all about Oxford city & university history and traditions plus student life. Please note dates below under section of any dates when entry to colleges is more limited such as any graduation, university open days, Xmas holidays!

Inclusions: This tour visits inside Divinity School- a Harry Potter film site. Entry worth £2.50 is included, Please note under 'Exclusions' below dates of graduation, university open days, Xmas holidays!

Exclusions: This tour does NOT visit Christ church college nor the Bodleian medieval library, Divinity School closures for graduation dates 2021 includes following dates:, Jan 23, Feb 27, March 6, May 8, May 15th of 2021, Divinity school is typically closed on Dec 24-26 and from Dec 30 2019 to January 1st

Reviewed By Q8577SCnicolar

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

4. 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.

5. Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Oxford Private Car Tour from London

Evan Evans Tours
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

During this full day with your Expert Guide in a Private Vehicle, discover over 900 years of royal history at the home of the British monarchy, uncover the mystery behind the world's most famous Neolithic site at Stonehenge, and take a stroll through the medieval streets of Oxford as your expert Driver-Guide brings the history of this beautiful city to life. Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, group, or as a family, we're proud to offer a modern and prestigious fleet of luxury vehicles to cater for everyone.

Inclusions: Expert Evan Evans Driver-Guide or separate Tour Guide & chauffeur (based on option selected), Travel in a Mercedes E class or V class, Pick-up and drop off from your chosen location (London zones 1-3), Entrance into Stonehenge including audio guide, Entrance into Windsor Castle including audio guide, Walking tour of Oxford with your expert guide, Photo opportunities in Windsor Castle, Oxford & Stonehenge

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Pick-up & Drop-off from outside London Zone 3, Gratuities

Reviewed By soumim88

Francesco did a tremendous job for us. He obviously knew his subject very well and delivered it using humour and candour. The only thing that was missing in our opinion was speakers because at times we were at the back and could not hear him...otherwise excellent...and we wish him the best with his Architectural studies Regards Soumi and Lydia Mitra

6. Cotswold and Oxford private group day tour from Watford

Watford Junction Station Car Park, 42 Woodford Rd, Watford WD17 1PA, UK John Ganly
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

This tour is designed for a small private group and can accommodate up to 16 passengers. You can be sure of a nice friendly atmosphere in a modern comfortable nifty minibus capable of taking the small roads and side streets, avoiding heavy traffic when necessary. Also this makes for a more interesting tour as you will be taken through beautiful small country roads where the bigger coaches cannot go. No time wasted loading and unloading gives you much more time to enjoy your tour of the Cotswold. Your experienced friendly driver/guide will point out places of interest throughout the journey and you will see famous villages buildings and monuments, the best of the Cotswold and Oxford. Your guide will make sure that you are comfortable at all times and enjoying a day to remember in the beautiful english Countryside.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

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7. Spencer’s Oxford Pub Tour (Private)

1 A420, Oxford OX1, UK Spencer’s Tours of Oxford
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Enjoy a few drinks and relax as I show you around this magnificent city - including stops in some of the most interesting and historic pubs in the world, to see where so many famous figures of the past have spent their student loans. The city of Oxford is commonly considered to be divided into two groups: the Town (local residents) and the Gown (students of the University). While I am currently a ‘townie’, I have been awarded a place to study at Oxford this year - and my fiancé is currently studying a DPhil. This gives me a unique perspective on both sides of the community and the city, and I will share it with you in a tour so entertaining and memorable that you will wish you lived here, or your money back! If you'd like to go into any colleges or other attractions, or if you wish to customise the tour in any other way, please feel free to message me. Group size is flexible. £60 for up to 4 people; £10 per additional person. Drinks not included!

Inclusions: English guide

Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages, Guide's drinks

Reviewed By chriswJ6544EL

Booked this as a surprise for my Mrs birthday. It was outstanding. Spencer was a brilliant guide - he knows absolutely everything there is to know about Oxford, and it was an absolute joy to spend an evening with him. I was unsure a historical pub tour would be good for a birthday but in the end, we extended to 4 hours and didn’t want it to end. Would recommend it to anyone.

8. Spencer’s Tour for Oxford (Private, all proceeds to Oxford charities)

23-25 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AX, UK Spencer’s Tours of Oxford
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

All proceeds of this tour will be donated to two Oxfordshire-based charities, supporting vulnerable individuals facing homelessness and addiction in the city. The city of Oxford is commonly considered as being divided into two groups: the Town (local residents) and the Gown (students of the University). While I am currently a ‘townie’, I have been awarded a place to study at Oxford this year - and my fiancé is currently studying a DPhil. This gives me a unique perspective on both sides of the community and the city, and I will share it with you in a tour so entertaining and memorable that you will wish you lived here, or your money back! We’ll cover as much as we can in two hours. Please note that entry fees are not included, though they are not necessary for a fantastic tour. If you'd like to go into any colleges or other attractions, or if you wish to customise the tour in any other way, please feel free ping me a message me. Group size is flexible. £10 per extra person.

Inclusions: Certified Guide

Exclusions: Gratuities, Entrance Fees (optional)

Reviewed By R3249RPfrank

Absolutely fantastic experience, the tour was highly insightful and the tour guide was extremely charming, knowledgeable and witty. Highly recommend if you're ever visiting Oxford!

9. 3-Hour Private Tour of Oxford With University Alumni Guide

5 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AJ, UK Footprints Tours Oxford
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Building upon the success of our 2-hour tour, this extended 3-hour version now includes entry into one of the oldest colleges at Oxford University. It also incorporates visiting the world-famous Bodleian Library, one of the best examples of Medieval architecture in Europe, and a Harry Potter film site. As always, this is done uniquely with our Oxford University student guides.

Inclusions: Student guide, Entrance into the Divinity School, Entrance into Trinity College

Exclusions:

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.

10. 2-Hour Cycle Tour of Oxford

78 Walton St, Oxford OX2 6EA, UK Bainton Bikes Cycle Hire & Tours
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4.8 based on 109 reviews

Oxford is a beautiful city packed full of fascinating and historic architecture, spacious countryside, relaxing rivers and canals and has been (and continues to be) where many inspirational people have called home. You will be offered a unique guided cycle tour of Oxford, where you can see and experience so much more of Oxford and what it has to offer. You'll be able to see a lot more on bike, both within the city and its surrounds.

Inclusions: Local guide

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified

Reviewed By Rachael B

We hired 4 bikes for the day to ride along the canal path during a two night stay in Oxford. Fred was excellent. Had bikes ready for us and advised us of a route etc. Affordable prices, friendly service. Highly recommend ????

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