2 hour Christchurch Tales Oxford's Legacy of History and Fantasy

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Christchurch Arguably Oxford’s most prestigious college on an ancient sacred site. We will visit inside and see famous hall and Harry Potter staircase. Visit it’s enormous quad, medieval cathedral and more

   40 minutes here · Admission included

2. Enjoy a fantastic view of Oxford’s spires including Magdalen College tour, from the same river banks where the story of Alice in Wonderland was inspired.

   5 minutes here

3. Corpus Christi College

   Corpus Christi's early 16th century architecture contains many moving and beautiful figures of animals, including a pious pelican. Corpus Christi is set upon a cobbled street which is listed as a national treasure.

   Pass by without stopping

4. Merton College

   Merton is Oxford's third College. The original and beautiful 15th century frieze over the gatehouse is one of my favourite creations in the whole of Oxford and tells the tale of the founding of colleges in the universities earlier days. The flying buttresses of the chapel are richly decorated. Thomas Bodley, founder of the Bodleian Library, was a graduate from Merton college. Merton College's library is the oldest continuously surviving library in Oxford.

   4 minutes here

5. Oriel College

   Oriel college is one of the Universities oldest Colleges and today famous for rowing. Its front Quad with Oriel windows is stunning. It is neighbours with Corpus Christi who famously host the annual tortoise race.

   Pass by without stopping

6. University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

   The University Church was the University's first building. It is listed in the Doomsday Book. Ot is possible to climb its magnificent spire. Today we will admire its famous stained glass and learn how it inspired CS Lewis.

   5 minutes here

7. Brasenose College

   Founded in 1509, is named after a distinctive brass door knocker. Alumni include David Cameron, Michael Palin, and William Golding.

   Pass by without stopping

8. Radcliffe Camera

   Oxford's first science Library. Learn about one of Oxford's most extraordinary and generous benefactors, the Royal Physician sir John Radcliffe

   5 minutes here

9. All Souls College

   Founded in 1438, is Oxford’s most academically exclusive college. It is famous for its stunning Codrington Library and elegant baroque facade. Notable alumni include T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral.

   1 minutes here

10. Bodleian Library

    Today the Bodlein Library has over 13 million books. We will admire the 17th century buildings and learn about the origins go the library and how it still works today.

    5 minutes here

11. Clarendon Building

    Clarendon Building, designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor in the early 18th century to house the Oxford University Press (OUP), one of the world’s most prestigious publishing houses founded in the 16th century producing scholarly works, including the renowned Oxford English Dictionary.

    4 minutes here

12. Bridge of Sighs

    Oxford's iconic bridge belonging to Hertford College. Although it looks like an old Venetian Bridge, it was built in the twentieth century! It is also next to the house of Edmund Halley who had the comet named after him.

    2 minutes here

13. Sheldonian Theatre

    We will admire this 17th century home to the ceremonies of Oxford University. Believed to be the first building by Christopher Wren, architect of St Paul's Cathedral in London was Professor of Astronomy at Oxford University.

    5 minutes here

14. Sheldonian Theatre

    The Greeks Striking adornment at the boundary between Broad Street and the Sheldonian Theatre. Known as the Greeks, or the beards these Greek Heads symbolise Oxford’s connection to classical antiquity and its intellectual traditions.

    2 minutes here

15. History of Science Museum

    The History of Science Museum Built in1683, as a public museum. Wonderful example of restoration Baroque architecture. Today, still a museum,the building houses an exceptional collection of scientific instruments, from the medieval period to the present day. Exhibits include early microscopes, telescopes and famously Albert Einstein’s blackboard.

    3 minutes here

16. Completed in 1488, the Divinity School is a stunning display of medieval craftsmanship. One of Oxford's most iconic architectural landmarks, the Divinity School has also been a location for films. Its upper floor is one of the University’s first purpose-built libraries.

    4 minutes here

17. Built on top of the exquisite medieval Perpendicular Divinity School, the Duke Humphrey Library was built in the fifteenth century to house a gift of over 200 books from the King's brother. Both of these rooms were selected by J.K. Rowling to be used for Harry Potter scenes.

    5 minutes here

18. Weston Library

    A view of important landmarks on an iconic central street.

    4 minutes here

19. Balliol College

    We will step inside Oxford's second oldest college and see its internal quadrangle, the Capel with its glorious stained glass, as well as its dining hall with portraits that tell its interesting foundation story. Here we'll learn more about when women undergraduates started to have access to the University and its colleges.

    15 minutes here · Admission included

20. Important Victorian monument to Oxford’s Protestant martyrs of the 16th century.

    5 minutes here

21. This Anglo Saxon Tower was part of the Medieval city gate and is probably the surviving oldest building in Oxford today. Many stories over the centuries

    4 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Options you can book

• Group of 4

  Pickup included

• Group of 3

  Pickup included

• Group of 10

  Pickup included

• Group of 5

  Pickup included

• Group of 11

  Entry into a college Pickup included

• Group of 6

  Pickup included

• Group of 2

  Pickup included

• Group of 9

  Pickup included

• Group of 7

  Pickup included

• Group of 8

  Pickup included

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en, fr

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Oxford History Tours

Know before you go

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

Traveler reviews

3 verified traveler reviews for 2 hour Christchurch Tales Oxford's Legacy of History and Fantasy. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.