10 Literary, Art & Music Tours in Oxford That You Shouldn't Miss

May 13, 2022 Kiesha Cripe

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. Small Group Tour to Oxford, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Cotswolds

Bulleid Way, London SW1W, UK Golden Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Enjoy a small group tour with a maximum of 17 guests to three of the UK’s most iconic locations – Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds. Have the chance to ask your knowledgeable guide as many questions as you like about these locations as you enjoy this fact-packed day tour. • Embark on a small group tour to 3 of the UK’s best-loved locations • Have a more personable experience with a maximum of 17 guests • Enjoy leisure time in the quintessentially English city of Oxford • Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace at the picturesque Stratford-upon-Avon • Drive through the exquisite Cotswolds, enjoy a 2 course lunch & return transportation

Inclusions: Leisure time in Oxford, Entry to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Expert guide, Return transportation

Exclusions: Gratuities, Tour of Bodleian Library, Visit Christ Church College

Reviewed By Pam A

It comes with a live tour guide with great stories. Gemma was a brilliant guide - really knowledgeable and very entertaining. First class tour and only £16.

2. Christ Church Harry Potter Film AFTERNOON Sites Tour- from 2022

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

COVID19 NOTICE- CHRIST CHURCH & ALL THE UNIVERSITY VENUES ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED. UNTIL THEY RE-OPEN, THIS SPECIFIC TOUR CANNOT OPERATE. That said, we can introduce the making of Harry Potter in Oxford on our general city & university tour. Find out how does studying at Oxford University compare with studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Find out on this 2 hour walking tour of Oxford Harry Potter film sites. Your ticket includes up to £17 in entry fees per person. Fun tour for Muggles of all ages. Guide will cater the tour according to everyone's interests, introducing also Oxford heritage.  See inside 2 of the 3 Hogwarts Oxford film locations (where & when permitting). See Christchurch film site plus when open, also see inside the The Divinity School film site at the Bodleian library. See 'Additional Info' or 'Voucher Info' for known dates when Divinity school may be closed. Christ Church Hall only closure dates 2020: January 17 May 9 Oct 4 + 9

Inclusions: Please check 'Exclusions' or 'Additional Info' for dates of any closures., Your ticket includes up to £17 in entry fees per person as part of your ticket from 2020 onwards

Exclusions: On this tour, we visit 2 of the 3 film sites (where & when permitting). NB While we may visit Divinity School, we don't see inside the medieval Bodleian library upstairs, as this if not open to guides or to children. On some dates, Christchurch may restrict viewing to entrance to hall but the hall is NOT a film site!, NB Saturday mornings, Christchurch hall is rarely open but tour runs anyway as it's not film site, Divinity School closures for graduation dates 2021 includes following dates:, Jan 23, Feb 27, March 6, May 8, May 15th of 2021

Reviewed By Q8577SCnicolar

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

3. PRIVATE Harry Potter in Oxford tour daily at various times

Oxford Visitor Information Centre, 15-16 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AS, UK Visit Oxford Tours
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4.8 based on 9 reviews

How does studying at Oxford University compare with studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Find out on this private 90 minute to 2.5 hour walking tour of Harry Potter film sites in Oxford. A fun tour for Muggles of all ages, the guide will cater the tour according to everyone's interests so it is also a tour that is fun for adults who happen to be interested in learning about Oxford University heritage. Currently in 2020, the only film site open is the Divinity school at the Bodleian library. Entry fee worth £2.50 per person is included in your ticket.

Inclusions: Entry inside Divinity School film site at Bodleian library- worth £2.50 per person, Currently other film sites are closed to guides but we introduce what was filmed there from outside

Exclusions: Divinity School closures for graduation dates 2021 includes following dates:, Jan 23, Feb 27, March 6, May 8, May 15th of 2021

Reviewed By Q8577SCnicolar

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

4. Harry Potter Walking Tour of Oxford Including Bodleian Library

5 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AJ, UK Footprints Tours Oxford
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4.7 based on 43 reviews

Muggles welcome! Embark on a magical adventure into the medieval buildings which would inspire the filming of the Harry Potter series! This 2-hour walking tour also covers the dramatic buildings and film sets there were positioned around Oxford. Along with this the tour includes other famous books such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings - along with the history of Oxford University.

Inclusions: Professional guide

Exclusions: Gratuities

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.

5. 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.

6. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter and Oxford Day Trip

229 Great Portland St, Marylebone, London W1W 5PN, UK International Friends
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4.6 based on 218 reviews

See Christ Church College, the Bodleian Library and other incredible sights on a guided walking tour of Oxford. After a fascinating morning exploring this historic city, we head to the Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter! We'll see Diagon Alley, Platform 9 ¾ and many other original sets, get up close to authentic costumes and props, and learn about the special effects and animatronics that brought J.K. Rowling’s magical world to the big screen. Round trip travel by executive coach with friendly tour manager Entry to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter Enjoy a guided walking tour in Oxford with a professional guide Daily departures

Inclusions: Transport by luxury, air-conditioned coach, Professional guide (Oxford walking tour), Entry to the Warner Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Hotel pick up/drop off

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!

7. Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon Day Trip from Oxford including Shakespeare's Birthplace

Oxford Visitor Information Centre, 15-16 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AS, UK International Friends
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4.4 based on 13 reviews

Tour Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds and Oxford in one day, on this leisurely paced excursion with an expert guide. After departing Oxford by comfortable minivan, visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in the charming town of Stratford-upon-Avon and enjoy a photo stop outside Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: the former home of William Shakespeare’s wife. Then, visit several picturesque villages in the beautiful Cotswolds region before returning to the timeworn university city of Oxford for a walking tour. Please note that this tour also has departures available from London - 

Inclusions: Transport by air-conditioned minibus, Oxford walking tour, Admission to Shakespeare's Birthplace & Divinity School Oxford, Explore Cotswolds villages the big buses cannot get to!

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

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!

8. Small-Group Warner Bros Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter & Oxford

International Friends
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4.2 based on 12 reviews

Experience the magic world of Harry Potter with your visit to Warner Bros. Studio London - The Making of Harry Potter. Explore the studio, which is home to several of the locations used in the famous film franchise. Then, head to historic Oxford and take a small-group walking tour (maximum of 20). Visit the 15th century School of Divinity that was used for infirmary at Hogwarts. This tour includes all entrance fees, guide, and round-trip transportation by an air-conditioned mini-coach. Maximum Booking Size: 9 people

Inclusions: Professional guide, Walking tour in Oxford, Transport by air-conditioned mini-coach, Entry into the Warner Bros Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter , Entry to the Divinity School, Oxford

Exclusions: Gratuities, Entry fees to colleges in Oxford unless otherwise stated

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. Movie Locations Oxford Walking Tour

Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG, UK Morse, Lewis and Endeavour Tours

Enjoy a guided walking tour of iconic filming locations on a two-hour walk in Oxford. Led by an expert guide this tour features informative commentary as you and your small group visit the colleges and streets used in filming. You'll see the locations from the Harry Potter movies including where the rehearsal for the Xmas Ball takes place, the school hospital and where Potters nemesis was turned into a ferret. Your tour also includes entry to 2 of the 3 colleges as well as a DIY guide to filming sites inside Christchurch College.

Inclusions: Professional guide

Exclusions: Entrance fees to Christchurch College, New College and Divinity School (approx £7), Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks

Reviewed By escaping_humdrum

My sister in law and I did this tour today. Both avid fans of Morse and Lewis. Our tour guide was very informative both about the history of Oxford and the filming and episodes of Morse, Lewis and Endeavour. As an official tour guide she is well known to the cast and crew. She had many stories to tell. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves despite the rain.

10. Harry Potter London and Oxford University Private Car Tour

Bespoke England Tours

All our tours have been made Covid secure and are carried out in daily sanitised vehicles. We have personal protective equipment (PPE) such as antibacterials, face coverings and disposable gloves.  Our staff carry out a daily health check with temperature checks. The venues have sanitising stations and respect UK government rules on social distancing and safe travel. 9 hour London and Oxford Harry Potter private tour with driver-guide. Unravel the magical world of Harry Potter in London and Oxford University. In London discover many of the locations used in the movies and many other iconic landmarks. This tour is not only about the movies's locations, it's also a London highlights tour. In Oxford see the awesome dinning hall of Christ Church College Oxford* that was the inspiration for Hogwarts and visit other locations, do a walking tour of the University. A magical and fun experience for people of all ages. *University has limited opening times (check with us first).

Inclusions: Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Private transportation

Exclusions: Entrance fees to Christ Church Oxford not included, Gratuities. (We suggest a tip of approximately 10% of the tour cost for outstanding service).

Reviewed By AdeWotton

I have a completed three of David's Virtual Tours during lockdown including Shoreditch Street Art, China Town and Covent Garden. David always goes above and beyond and has a wealth of knowledge and is very interactive and accessible. Really recommend him

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