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Oxford City & University Walking PRIVATE GROUPS Tour

17 Reviews 4.82 out of 5 stars Based on 17 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 94% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Oxford, England
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 24 (0) days in advance.

90 to 120 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 9 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Mandarin, Russian, Cantonese, Ukrainian

Overview

Oxford & England's history will be brought alive on this private guided walking tour of the city and university traditions. Storytelling about student life, college traditions, Henry VIII, Bloody Mary, CS Lewis, Tolkien & even Harry Potter! 

You may request any special interests for the tour eg sciences or arts or writers in Oxford etc. We generally always include entrance into at least one Harry Potter film site on this tour too (where and when possible).

Requests for a tour in your foreign language must be received at least 48 hours notice & are therefore also subject to whether a bilingual guide happens to be available or not. Requests for a tour in a foreign language also have a marginal additional cost to book.

Includes entry fees inside one or more colleges or the Divinity school at the Bodleian.

What's Included

  • If you book at least 2 days ahead & request a foreign language tour, sometimes this is possible.
  • Please see EXCLUSIONS section below for any dates with limited college entry eg graduations, Xmas
  • This tour includes entry to one college but option to pay for extra entry fees of extra colleges too
  • Christmas notice: colleges are usually all closed from approx Dec 21 to Jan 2nd
  • GRADUATION DATES: we cannot always guarantee entry inside any colleges or venues
  • 2026 Graduation dates, there may be few or no colleges open includes....
See 6 moreSee 8 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

15-16 Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3AS, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Oxford
UK

No fixed end point but we offer a free Oxford map and will assist with directions or walk you back to start point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Bodleian Library

We will introduce this venue but please note that the Bodleian library never permit guides to take tours inside the library.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

St John's College

Which college we will see inside will vary from day to day, depending on what is open but generally we see inside one to two colleges and we pass by and introduce many other colleges too
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Exeter College

This is one of multiple colleges which we will introduce on the route. There are 38 colleges at Oxford university and which colleges we may visit inside varies from one day to the next, depending on which colleges may be open.Exeter has a £3 entry fee.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Wadham College

This is one of multiple colleges which we will introduce on the route. There are 38 colleges at Oxford university and which colleges we may visit inside varies from one day to the next, depending on which colleges may be open.Wadham has a £3 entry fee, if you enter with the guide. It's otherwise free entry without a guide.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Balliol College

This is one of multiple colleges which we will introduce on the route. There are 38 colleges at Oxford university and which colleges we may visit inside varies from one day to the next, depending on which colleges may be open.Balliol has a £3 entry fee. If we visit inside this college, we usually spend about 20 minutes here.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Bridge of Sighs

This famous landmark is always featured on our tours
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Sheldonian Theatre

We always introduce this famous Oxford sight.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Radcliffe Camera

This is one of multiple famous sights which we will introduce on the route. This venue is never open to visit inside.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Brasenose College (pass by)

This is one of multiple colleges which we will introduce on the route. There are 38 colleges at Oxford university and which colleges we may visit inside varies from one day to the next, depending on which colleges may be open.This college is not open to public.
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All Souls College (pass by)

This is one of multiple colleges which we will introduce on the route. There are 38 colleges at Oxford university and which colleges we may visit inside varies from one day to the next, depending on which colleges may be open.Sometimes we visit inside this college. It is free entry, when open.
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Hertford College (pass by)

This is one of multiple colleges which we will introduce on the route. There are 38 colleges at Oxford university and which colleges we may visit inside varies from one day to the next, depending on which colleges may be open.This college is not open to the public.
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The Turf (pass by)

We often stop by this famous pub- this is where Bill Clinton never inhaled....
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New College (pass by)

This is one of multiple colleges which we will introduce on the route. There are 38 colleges at Oxford university and which colleges we may visit inside varies from one day to the next, depending on which colleges may be open.Occasionally we visit this tour but at additional cost to pay on the day as this college costs £8 per person to enter
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Trinity College (pass by)

This is one of multiple colleges which we will introduce on the route. There are 38 colleges at Oxford university and which colleges we may visit inside varies from one day to the next, depending on which colleges may be open.Trinity has a £3 entry fee.
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University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

We often visit inside this church. It's free entry.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

St. Michael At The North Gate

We always introduce the Saxon Tower and the church here from outside.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 15 more stops

Additional Info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Average duration 90-120 minutes and tour to cater to your special interests (let us know on the day or in advance).
  • Tours are in English but where possible and with at least 24 hours notice, we may be able to provide a tour in a foreign language.

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Oxford City & University Walking PRIVATE GROUPS Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-22362P21

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.82
17 reviews

Average 4.82 out of 5 stars based on 17 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
15
4 stars
1
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 24 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • If you book at least 2 days ahead & request a foreign language tour, sometimes this is possible.
  • Please see EXCLUSIONS section below for any dates with limited college entry eg graduations, Xmas
  • This tour includes entry to one college but option to pay for extra entry fees of extra colleges too
  • Entry worth up to £5 per person is paid by the guide to enter at least one venue
  • Christmas notice: colleges are usually all closed from approx Dec 21 to Jan 2nd
  • GRADUATION DATES: we cannot always guarantee entry inside any colleges or venues
  • 2026 Graduation dates, there may be few or no colleges open includes....
  • Sep 25+ 26, Nov 6 + 7 + 13 + 14 of 2026 plus Feb 27, March 6, May 14 + 15 + 22 of 2027
  • Tours are only offered in foreign languages, if adequate advance notice 2 days ahead & at £250 cost!
  • If you wish to visit Divinity school at Bodleian library, note dates 2026 below, it is closed:
  • Sep 10 + 14+ 15+ 16 + 17+ 20+ 21+ 22+ 23+ 24+ 25 + 26, Nov 6 + 7 +13 + 14 of 2026
  • Note that we cover the cost for you of either entry inside one college OR entry into Divinity school

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Average duration 90-120 minutes and tour to cater to your special interests (let us know on the day or in advance).
  • Tours are in English but where possible and with at least 24 hours notice, we may be able to provide a tour in a foreign language.
  • Please note that as the university colleges are private institutions, we can't always guarantee entry to colleges but it is very rare that we cannot get entry into at least 1 or 2 colleges on the tour. Please take note of any advertised university graduation dates mentioned below, as those dates can have less options of colleges to visit.

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