Sheldonian Theatre Tours and Activities

Experience one of the world’s greatest university cities on this hop-on hop-off Oxford bus tour. With a 24- or 48-hour pass, design a personalized itinerary with several possible stops including the University of Oxford buildings (some featured in the 'Harry Potter' films), Oxford Castle, and Bodleian Library, one of the world’s oldest public libraries. Enjoy unobstructed views from the open-top viewing deck and fun onboard commentary as you savor this elegant city.

Follow in the footsteps of Inspector Morse, star of the British TV detective drama that was filmed on the streets of Oxford. With a guide, you’ll see the eminent university city through the eyes of Morse and his sidekick Lewis, visiting filming sites such as pubs and even one of the university colleges. Along the way you’ll learn all about the cast and crew who were involved in the much-loved productions of Inspector Morse, the Lewis spin-off series, and the Endeavour prequel—all filmed in the city.

Follow in the footsteps of famous former residents like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis—and discover many of Oxford’s top landmarks in just a couple hours—on this introductory walking tour. Meet your group in central Oxford, and set off on foot. You’ll see key attractions like the Bodleian Library and Sheldonian Theatre, will explore the university area, and will even visit one of its elegant colleges. As you go, your guide will share insider stories about Oxford’s history.

Tour includes entry worth £2.50 per person inside the Divinity school at the Bodleian Library. Tour lasts average 75 minutes. From Sep 9th, you can also opt to pay extra £10 cash on the day to include New college film site entry too for longer tour lasting two hours. How does studying at Oxford University compare with studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Fun tour for Muggles of all ages. Guide will cater the tour according to everyone's interests, introducing also Oxford heritage.  Calling all fans of the world’s favourite wizard, this Oxford walking tour takes you to recognizable locations of the Harry Potter films. During this family-friendly tour, see the grand buildings of Oxford University and see inside the Divinity School—which featured as the infirmary & classroom space in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Learn of other literary legends that attended Oxford University.

A fun and different way to see Oxford! Solve satisfying clues and follow beautiful maps sent to your phones. Spot things other people take for granted! You’ll learn interesting facts and stories. Everything is outdoors and you can do social distancing.

Explore the university city of Oxford on a tour that showcases its highlights in just a couple of hours. The walking tour introduces you to many of Oxford's famous colleges and university buildings as you stroll around the city with a guide. Get recommendations for things to do and see in the city in your own time, and hear insider tips for Oxford's many restaurants. The experience includes a visit inside one college and either the Divinity School or the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin.

Designed to see the best of Oxford in a safe environment with the smallest group sizing we have ever done. With this specialised tour we take important measure to protect your health, and those around you. All our Oxford University student guides wear medical masks. In addition to this, group sizing is inline with Social Distancing Rules (currently we have the smallest group sizing of any tour company in Oxford). Furthermore, all guides must submit their temperature before providing the tour. This tour has all the most famous sites in Oxford, with our unique guides providing a fun and entertaining insight into one of the most important cities in the world. See the world-famous sites such as the Bodleian Library and Christ Church – both of which were Harry Potter film sites! Get the inside story on Oxford ceremonies, student life, college rivalries and much, much more!

Visiting Oxford on foot is the best way to see it and this tour is great for Morse, Lewis and Endeavour fans. Follow in Morse's footsteps with your expert and enthusiastic Guide who will remind you of episodes past and explain all the story lines. See some of Morse's favourite pubs and many of the buildings used as locations for these popular TV detective series! The City of Oxford has not changed much since last century and with so many ancient and impressive sights to see, this is an excellent all round tour to take.

Explore the university city of Oxford with your own private guide, and discover the history behind its standout sights such as the Bodleian Library, Bridge of Sighs, and the Sheldonian Theatre. With your guide, you’ll also see some of the famous university colleges, and learn about the institution’s history from its humble roots to its worldwide prestige today.

With a guide, you'll visit the Divinity School film site at the Bodleian Library. Ponder how studying at Oxford University compares to being a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and learn a bit about Oxford's history as your guide tailors the tour to the interests of everyone in your group.

Uncomfortable Oxford takes a unique approach to the walking tour format - both fun and thoughtful, we encourage analysis and discussion about uncomfortable subjects within the city. This discussion-based tours engages with legacies of violence, inequalities, colonialism and discrimination, and aims to highlight their enduring impact on our modern lives. Topics covered include imperialism, class, inequality, slavery, gender history, discrimination, and memorialisation. This tour is run by experts and researchers, and lasts about 1.5hrs. We will walk no more than two miles, but please be aware that cobble stones and uneven pavement may restrict the accessibility of this event.

Calling all fans of the iconic British TV programme, Inspector Morse, this 2-hour tour visit famous filming locations around Oxford. With a private guide, you’ll visit recognizable settings inside the Bodleian Library, Exeter College, and the Divinity School, all within the prestigious Oxford University campus. The tour concludes at a historic pub regularly featured in the Inspector Morse shows.

Oxford is home to one of the world’s most famous and prestigious colleges, and this private 2-hour walking tour unveils all the secrets of the university city. Marvel at landmarks including the Bodleian Library and Christchurch, peek inside Oxford University buildings like New College or the Divinity School; and follow in the footsteps of British legends such as J.R.R Tolkien, CS Lewis, King Henry VIII, and Harry Potter.

Explore more of Oxford’s University buildings, riverside parks, and picturesque countryside on this small-group half-day bike tour. Admire city landmarks such as the Bodleian Library and Christchurch; cycle along the scenic River Thames Path; and visit local villages such as Iffley, Binsey, and Old Marston.

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.

If you are considering studying at Oxford, then what better way to acquaint yourself with the application process and to find out what student life is like, than to book our private tour plus Q and A session with our Oxford or Cambridge educated university alumni guides? Expected total activity duration is 90-120 minutes walking tour plus up to one hour Q and A session led in person and/or by online process.

Oxford zealously guards and protects its architectural heritage which boasts one of the finest collections of historical buildings in the United Kingdom and possibly across the Western World. Our Classic Oxford tour takes visitors on a 60 to 90 minute meander through 1000 years of architectural and social history. Not only do we see some of the most iconic civic and university buildings in Oxford and discuss their origins, the materials they are constructed from, the architects and purpose of their construction but we provide a rich vein of social history of the town and university. Among the sights you will see are Christ Church, the 11th-century University Church of St Mary the Virgin where the University of Oxford first began, the world-famous Radcliffe Camera, Oxford’s Bridge of Sighs, the Bodleian Library, the oldest academic library in the English speaking world, and much more. Customised tours including pre-booking into colleges, galleries and museums can be arranged.

See Oxford in one day with this small group, sight-packed, full-day tour with an authentic Oxford student to give you the inside scoop, along with the little known facts and locations off the beaten path! See inside the oldest Colleges in Oxford, including the largest in Oxford - complete with its own deer park. Break for a pub lunch, before entering the most historic part of England's most iconic library, which makes a regular appearance in Hollywood films. For entrance into a famous Harry Potter college, upgrade to include a ticket for Christ Church.

This fantastic combination tour allows you to see the highlights of Oxford from the land and the water on the same day. You’ll save hours shortlisting the city’s top sites by having a guide to show you around instead. The guided walking tour takes you past top city sites including Oxford University, Harry Potter filming locations, and Christ Church Meadow. A highlight of the tour is a boat trip, where you can choose to row yourself or have a chauffeur to punt for you.

With your ticket, discover Oxford with unlimited access to our flexible walking tours. You can join and leave our circuits as you please; escorted by local experts who are on hand to meet you throughout the day. Using our app, simply track your nearest guide and begin to discover countless visitor hotspots, including University of Oxford, Radcliffe Camera, Carfax Tower and Oxford Castle. Enjoy fascinating storytelling from your guide as you explore, and immerse yourself in Oxford’s quaint and charming streets. Best-known for housing one of the world’s most prestigious universities, the city also has exciting stories to tell surrounding history and literature, with plenty of visitor attractions to explore. Hop-off your guided tour and self-guide whenever you wish; enjoying multilingual audio commentary, suggested walking itineraries, pinpointing your favourite sights and discovering photo hotspots, all offline, day or night - it couldn't be easier!

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.

Fall in love with Oxford by joining a relaxing 20 minute Thames river cruise to Iffley village. Then walk or take the cruise back again Thames path. We'll see the Norman chapel & medieval homes in Iffley village. Special focus on Alice in Wonderland heritage and the Oxford rowing tradition. This tour includes about 1 mile walk at start of tour past famous university sights introduced briefly by the guide. After the cruise ends, we have one hour in Iffley village and then a 3 mile walk along the scenic Thames river path back to Oxford city. For anyone who has mobility walking issues, please let us know when booking as alternatively we could just replace the walk back from Iffley with either a return trip on the river cruise or a taxi back to the city.

Join us for this 3 hour tour of England’s must see city, home for over 800 years to both Royalty and Scholars. Your private guide will lead you on an unforgettable journey around one of the 38 colleges that make up Oxford University. You can marvel at the amazing architecture, learn what it’s like to study here and discover the most famous alumni. We will then wind our way through the city learning about the foundation of the University, as well as more modern history in the shape of Harry Potter. Your private Blue Badge guide is full of facts and stories to engage and entertain you during the tour making for a terrific experience.

COVID19 NOTICE: Currently all university colleges are still closed to the public but you will see & hear lots about the colleges on the tour route. The best way to see Oxford is on a bicycle on this private bicycle tour along the River Thames Path. In fact, bikes are the locals' favourite way to get around the city as the compact Oxford is not very car-friendly. Default start time is 12.00 but you may request any start time from 12.00 until 14.30 start time. The tour lasts for 3-4 hours, including a guided tour plus bike set up time and a refreshments stop. The route covers both the city's sights and stories with a college entrance fee and a relaxing cycle along the River Thames to Iffley or Binsey Village.