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Step into Oxford’s past…

Experience Oxford as a true history lover would. For those with a keen eye and discerning tastes.

Scratch below the surface on a tour crafted by historians and ITG accredited guides. Enjoy longer lasting memories and deeper insights.

Pre-designed tours include with Christchurch, Magdalen College, Bodleian Library and the Divinity school. Themes include literature, the Civil War, science and medicine and much more.

Tailor-made tours are thoughtfully designed around your interests, and schedule offering an authentic and personalised experience for you. Let us craft a tour to stimulate your curiosity, whether it’s gaining exclusive access to Oxford colleges rarely open to the public or guiding you through reservations. Your journey, your discovery.

Book instantly with the FareHarbor 'Book Now' button or contact us directly for a guaranteed personal service.

Oxford History Shop’s books are selected to complement your Oxford experience.

“Exceptional”

Pick a theme or let us organise it all with you.

  • Private Tours

    Historically themed tours will introduce you to Oxford or lead you deeper into an area of specific historical interest.

    The specialist knowledge and insight of an expert Green or Blue Badge guide will bring Oxford’s history to life for you.

  • Tailor Made Tours

    Let Oxford History Tours make the most out of your ‘once in a lifetime’ experience in Oxford.

  • “Sophie was an outstanding guide for inside Christchurch college. She was most knowledgeable about the founding history of the college and having access to some of the interior sections was very interesting. Went to an Evensong service at the Christchurch Cathedral and afterward Sophie explained the stained glass windows. I would highly recommend her”.

    B. Hornbach, NYC, USA

  • "Sophie offered us a tailor-made tour that perfectly met our expectations."

    Steve, Munich, Germany

  • “Sophie has encyclopedic knowledge of Oxford and its university and colleges. She planned a tour focused entirely on the requests we specified. She responded to any question we asked with a complete explanation of the subject, its place in history, and its relevance to today. She was generous with her time, careful to acknowledge our physical limitations, and patient with our pace. In some 50 years of travel, she is one of the very best tour guides we have ever met, anywhere in the world”.

    R & A Coburn, USA

  • "Sophie is a congenial host with vast knowledge of the colleges and general Oxford area. Good communication and instruction for meet up. Would highly recommend her tour!"

    Andrew, New York, USA

  • "Fascinating tour by a wonderful guide!"

    Michael, USA

  • "My history tour with Sophie was informative and entertaining. The horror was made funny and the ridiculous serious. I was surprised by how much I didn't know and went away with new insights into, not only the university's history and traditions, but the history of England generally. I also got some good ideas for the rest of my stay in Oxford. Thank you!"

    James, UK

  • "This tour was a lovely introduction to Oxford University. As a recent transplant from the US, it was a great way to get my bearings of the area, visit a college, and learn about some fascinating local history. Whether we were gazing at gargoyles or admiring beautiful stained glass, Sophie was a true delight – very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and well-articulated. I highly recommend this experience!"

    Megan, USA

  • "Fascinating, thoughtfully constructed tour of Oxford University encompassing a thousand years of history. I've lived in Oxford for thirty years, yet in this tour learned new and intriguing nuggets about the city, discovered hidden gems in ancient stone buildings that I've been strolling past all these years."

    Maria, Oxford, UK

  • "Sophie is a superb, experienced and enriching guide. We are a retired US professional couple. We've hired individual local guides throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and Sophie tops our list! She spent hours with us in advance, curating our day in Oxford, then filled our tour with history, architecture, art, education, culture…and fun. The day was perfectly paced and suited to our needs. It was a graduation day, so like the happy students, we too tossed our hats in celebration. Brava Sophie!"

    K & A Krupsky, Chicago, USA

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