Discover Victoria’s Walking Tours

Victoria Bentata Azaz

More About Victoria Bentata Azaz

Victoria studied Modern Languages at the University of Oxford and more recently completed an MA in History from Oxford Brookes University.  She has been an Oxford Guide for many years.

  • Languages: English, French, Spanish

  • Published Work: Oxford City Walks, Oxford Hidden Walks

  • Favourite Sites: Natural History Museum, New College, Radcliffe Observatory

  • Favourite Pub: The Turf

  • Favourite Cream Tea: Browns

  • Favourite Restaurant: Browns

Walking Tours in Oxford with Victoria Bentata Azaz

  • Learn about the revolutionary contributions of Oxford's scientists and doctors to modern science.

    Since the award of the first Doctor of Medicine in the 13th century, Oxford has been a place of medical and scientific inquiry, distinguishing itself in the 17th century when a group of scientists made groundbreaking discoveries about the nature of the human body and the natural world.

    You will see where William Harvey, Robert Hooke, Robert Boyle, Thomas Willis and Christopher Wren lived and worked and find out about their importance in medical and scientific history.

    The 20th century's medical advances began with William Osler and reached their zenith with the triumph of the penicillin scientists, Florey, Chain and Heatley in 1941.

    Meanwhile the refugee physicists, rescued from German in the 1930’s transformed Oxford's Physics department.

    In the 21st century, Oxford University has topped the world rankings for the teaching of medicine and scientists, crowned with the development of the Oxford-Astra-Zeneca vaccine.

  • This walk takes you through the little-known medieval Jewish quarter to discover more about the fascinating lives of its inhabitants in the period between their arrival in the 11th century under William the Conqueror and their expulsion by Edward I in 1290.

    It covers the re-admission of the Jews under Oliver Cromwell and comes up to date with the story of Lord Lindemann's invitation to Einstein and how the Society for the Protection of Science and Learning saved German academics from Nazi persecution. Learn about their new lives in Britain and the contribution of the Jewish refugee scholars to Oxford University.

    We usually finish at the Bodleian Library, one of the greatest repositories of Hebrew and Jewish manuscripts and printed books in the world and find out about today's Jewish community and some of the University's Jewish benefactors.

  • Oxford was the Royalist Capital in the English Civil War of the 17th Century. It was from Christ Church that King Charles I ran his campaigns, whilst also finding time to entertain, walk his dogs and even to play tennis in Oriel college's nearby Real Tennis court.

    Henrietta Maria, his Queen, lodged briefly at Merton College and the City was filled with courtiers, servants and a garrison of over 3,000 soldiers.

    When the Parliamentarians were victorious Oliver Cromwell made himself Chancellor of the University.

    Explore Oxford’s role in the Civil War and find out what life was like in the city during this time and why it mattered.

  • Christ Church is known for inspiring JK Rowling's suggestions to Warner Brothers of possible locations for Hogwarts and the Harry Potter movies.However its pedigree stretches back to Anglo Saxon times when the Cathedral site was the same as the minster of Oxford’s Anglo Saxon Saint Frideswide.

    Christ Church is one of Oxford’s most outstanding colleges. It has produced 13 prime ministers, the philosopher John Locke and the reforming politician Robert Peel.

    The cathedral is the smallest medieval cathedral in Britain and a real gem. Stops include its refectory in the famous Great Hall, the Bodley Tower staircase, Sir Christopher Wren’s bell tower in the Tom Quad, the Cloister and Cathedral.

    Afterwards take a walk through the heart of the city and learn about the Architectural and historical highlights of the University and its colleges, how it operates past and present, and the movements and personalities that beautifully tell the tale of 1000 years of history.

    Group:£220 (up to 2 participants)

    Extra participants: @ 20 (up to 11 participants)

    Extras:

    Discussion in the pub (40 minutes): £60 (refreshment not included)

    Discussion over a Cream Tea (40 minutes): £90 (refreshment not included)

  • **Duration:** 1.5 hours

    Discover the astonishing history and beauty of Oxford on a walking tour which explores iconic landmarks and tells the story of over Oxford’s 1000 years of tradition and innovation.

    You will see sites which tell the tale of Oxford's Anglo Saxon beginnings, the ever changing University, patrons, town and gown and the lives of the scholars, scoundrels and literary giants who made Oxford home.

    Stops include the Divinity School, Bodleian Library’s Old Schools ‘Quad’, Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian theatre, the CS Lewis stop and University church and much more.

    The highlights tour will leave you with a lasting memory of Oxford’s history, its role in the art, architecture, social upheavals and discoveries which have shaped the course of history.

    This tour includes a visit inside one of Oxford's oldest colleges to see where students studied, worshipped, slept and dined and still do today..

    Private Tour

    £160 (up to 4 participants)

    Extras:

    Additional participants over 2: @ £10

    Discussion in the pub (40 minutes): £60 (refreshment not included)

    Discussion over a Cream Tea (40 minutes): £90 (refreshment not included)

    Bodleian Library Tour (40 minutes): £80 (plus £10/person)

  • "The tour was well thought out and Sophie was an engaging guide with a mine of interesting information, much of it new to me even as someone who's lived in Oxford for the past 30 years. Definitely recommended."

    J Willams, Oxford

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

    Steve, Munich, Germany

  • "Wonderful tour about Oxford, very knowledgeable guide. We enjoyed every minute of it."

    Maria, 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

  • "Sophie is so knowledgeable! Oxford is a city of history, and she knows it so well. Her recommendation for our dinner after the tour was perfect! She also took care of me beforehand in suggesting other things to do before her tour. She’s the best. A pro’s pro!"

    Kori, 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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