Walking Tours in Oxford

Walking tours in Oxford

Oxford is best seen on foot, and the choice is between a guided walk and a self-guided themed trail. Fares are in pounds sterling.

Guided tours

Footprints free tour. A tip-based 2 hour tour leaves at 11:00 and 14:00 from Oxford Tourist Information at 16 Broad Street. Check the Footprints Oxford page for the current schedule. Tip what you think it was worth.

Official Oxford Walking Tours. These tours are led by Guild of Guides members. Listed adult fares for the University and City tour run from about £28 to about £34, so check the current figure when you book. College entry is usually extra.

Radcliffe Camera and City of Oxford Walking Tour. The Bodleian runs this on Saturdays and Sundays from 13:30 to 15:30 for £30. It includes about 30 minutes inside the Radcliffe Camera and a walk of 60 to 90 minutes. See the Bodleian tours page .

Footprints and Guild tours rarely go inside college buildings, so budget separately if you want interiors.

Inklings trail

  • The Lamb and Flag, 12 St Giles: open, community-run, a good start or end point.
  • The Eagle and Child, 49 St Giles: closed, with reopening expected in 2027 and no date announced. View the exterior only.
  • Addison’s Walk in Magdalen College, then Pembroke and Merton colleges.
  • Tolkien’s grave at Wolvercote Cemetery on Banbury Road, reached on bus 6 or 7 from St Giles. It is free, and the stone carries the names Beren and Luthien. It is an optional extra stop.

Alice trail

Alice’s Shop is at 83 St Aldate’s. From there walk through Christ Church Meadow to Folly Bridge.

His Dark Materials trail

Exeter College appears as Jordan College. A bench at the back of the Botanic Garden is linked to the books, though it carries no sign. The History of Science Museum has a Lyra’s Worlds display.

Morse, Lewis and Endeavour

The Randolph Hotel has the Morse Bar. Use it as a starting point for the settings of the detective series rather than looking for a fixed episode.

Martyrs’ Memorial and Broad Street

The Martyrs’ Memorial on St Giles and the iron cross in Broad Street marking the burnings of 1555 and 1556 are solemn. Stop briefly and keep the tone respectful.

Walking tips

Wear comfortable shoes. Colleges close for exams from late April to June, so a tour’s college stops can change. Read more: Oxford sightseeing .

Booking

Alternative guided walks are listed at GetYourGuide .