Top Oxford Half-day Tours

This is the essential tour for Harry Potter fans. Spend a day discovering the sites of Oxford associated with the Harry Potter movies. See Christ Church College which inspired the Great Hall of Hogwarts, and learn behind-the-scenes secrets about the Harry Potter actors, and J. K. Rowling.

Get the inside scoop on Oxford's storied history on this private walking tour. Through your dedicated guide's informative narration, learn about the evolution of the university and all the achievements that have taken place there. Enjoy a flexible itinerary, personalized attention and plenty of time to ask questions, since this is a private tour for just you and your party.

Discover Oxford’s highlights on foot and two wheels on this walking and bicycle tour. Set out by foot to visit the Bodleian Library, Christ Church, and other colleges as you learn about their history and former luminaries. Then, ride a bike to see the Radcliffe Camera, Magdalen College, places linked to Oxford’s literary heritage, and other sights. Includes entrance fees and bike usage for the rest of the day post-tour.

If you're short on time but want to experience the Cotswolds, book this half-day tour from Oxford. The region is known as an English countryside idyll with its gentle hills and thatched-roof villages, and you'll discover its highlights with the help of a guide. The experience includes sights of all the must-see villages including Bourton-on-the-Water, Asthall, Stow-on-the-Weld, and Woodstock where Sir Winston Churchill was born.

Feast your eyes and fill your camera roll with postcard-perfect English countryside on this private tour of the Cotswolds’ most adorable villages. There’s no need to stress about left-side driving or worry about parking, which can be challenging, especially in high season. Simply meet your private driver/guide at the pickup point of your choice and soak up delights such as Bourton on the Water, Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold.

Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Thames River and soak up the views in style on this 30-minute evening sightseeing cruise in Oxford. Hop into your sightseeing boat as the sun starts to set and head out onto the calm waters with your guide. Sip a glass of Prosecco, beer, wine or a soft drink as the sunlight dances on the river, and gaze out over Oxford’s beautiful Christchurch Meadows. Learn of the city’s educational and sporting heritage, and enjoy a romantic moment on the river with your loved one.  

Explore Oxford University’s famous regatta course on this 50-minute Thames River sightseeing cruise in Oxford. Hop aboard your sightseeing vessel in the heart of Oxford and cruise out onto the famous waterway. Listen as your guide sheds light on the city’s rich history, and discover local landmarks such as Folly Bridge, Christchurch College, the Oxford University boathouses and the Meadows. Share the waters with rowing eights, punts, university boats and cruisers, and watch the banks for sightings of native river wildlife.

Spend a day in the Cotswolds with this guided day trip from the city of Oxford. A region of postcard-perfect English villages, green hills, and manor houses, the Cotswolds has been designated as an Area of Outstanding National Beauty. See its highlights with a guide, and discover villages such as Asthall, Swinbrook, and Bourton-on-the-Water -- places that inspired writers and artists with their idyllic appeal. Through the day, you'll enjoy a mix of guided activities and free time to explore at your own pace.

Make unforgettable memories in the heart of Oxford on this 2-hour dining experience with evening cruise. Step aboard your vessel as the sun slowly sinks on the horizon, and cruise out onto the Thames River. Sip chilled Prosecco as you wind your way along the tranquil waterway, and gaze out over Christchurch Meadows and the university boathouses. Afterwards, alight at the mooring outside The Folly restaurant and follow the candles and fairy lights to your table. Then, enjoy a delicious 3-course a la carte dinner in the restaurant’s romantic surroundings. 

Discover the Harry Potter movie locations of Oxford on this walking tour. Visit the famous Bodleian Library to see the hall used as Hogwarts’ Infirmary in many movies, and view other locations in one or two of Oxford’s oldest colleges. As you walk, enjoy a fun Harry Potter quiz, and learn about Oxford University and other famous children’s books written in the city. Entrance fees to the Bodleian and select colleges are included.

Fans of fantasy books won’t want to miss this 1.5-hour tour of Christ Church College, the setting and inspiration behind novels such as Alice and Wonderland and Harry Potter. By booking your ticket in advance, you’ll avoid the long lines outside of the prestigious Oxford University building, home to the Bodleian Library and adjoining Divinity School. Visit recognizable filming sites and learn about Lewis Carroll’s time at England’s oldest university.

See more of the picturesque Cotswolds on a trip that leaves from Moreton-in-Marsh. Showcasing the must-see villages that can be tricky to find on your own, the excursion visits Bourton-on-the-Water and Chipping Camden along with some lesser-known hamlets that many Cotswolds tourists miss. You have ample free time to explore, along with commentary and tips for places to eat or see through the day.

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.

If you’re interested in Oxford’s rich history, look no further than this walking tour for a comprehensive overview of the historic city. In a small group limited to 15, visit Bodleian Library—home to 'Harry Potter' filming locations—and one other college, and learn about Oxford University alumni such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Plus, receive an ILoveOxford map showing all of the main sites.

Oxford at nightfall...The crowds are dispersing, and the deserted, gloomy streets await us. The Oxford Ghost Tour will lead you away from the bustle and noise of central Oxford into the eeriest parts of the city, the domain of demons, dark deeds, the Devil, and death. All the accounts are based on documented events. They feature not only paranormal manifestations, but also gruesome executions and heart-rending deaths, some from eye witness testimony. You will hear spine-chilling stories from the city's bloody past and of the spirit entities it has left behind. You will see the locations where the apparitions have revealed themselves, and may do again. You might sense their presence, feel their touch, hear their groaning, smell their putrefaction.

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.

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.

Oxford is one of England’s most renowned university cities and a private tour means you can explore at your own pace. On this 3-hour walking tour, admire Oxford landmarks such as the Bodleian Library, Christchurch Cathedral, and the Ashmolean Museum; learn more about the city’s fascinating history and heritage; and see the famous Oxford University colleges.

Enjoy the beautiful rolling hills and some of the prettiest scenery that the Cotswolds has to offer on this Guided Cycling Tour. Starting and finishing at the pretty market town of Moreton-in-Marsh this spectacular guided group Cotswolds cycle tour offers something for everyone. Passing through pretty Cotswold villages, beautiful scenery and quintessential Cotswold countryside along the way this really is a fun-packed day out. The distance is easily manageable over the course of the day and the pace is relaxed offering plenty of time for photo stops, sightseeing and some refreshments at one of the plentiful Cotswold pubs along the way! Bike, helmet and knowledgeable guide all provided. Suitable for children over 15 years old (5ft+). Electric bikes also available.

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.

This is a perfect half-day tour for those wanting to experience the delights of the Cotswolds but who cannot spare a whole day. You will see idyllic stone hamlets, hidden valleys and rivers and be entertained with stories about the history and culture of the region and local traditions. An unforgettable introduction to one of Britain's finest regions delivered by local experts in a small group tour.

Visit Blenheim Palace, the imposing and dramatic home of the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill. On this half day tour, with express transportation and strict small group sizes, our guide will also tell you the history of the Palace and its impressive grounds.

Take a private guided tour of the picturesque university city of Oxford. Enjoy a private walking tour of the city and its colleges and museums. Your 3 hours tour begins when your guide meets you at the agreed pick-up point, for example Oxford train station. The tour introduces the most famous colleges and describes college life, student traditions, famous literary, scientific, and political figures, and English history in Oxford. Follow the informative guide around the city as you visit the famous sights and learn about the history of Oxford. Visit famous film location of Harry Potter movies.

Together with the professional guide, you will visit the most charming places in Oxford. Is it true that the city was the capital of England? What is so special about the university in Oxford? The city is fascinated by its architecture, culture, beautiful landscapes. What is the relation between the city and the Harry Potter cult movie? Your charming guide will tell you what is special and unique about living in this city. Perfect for those who are visiting the city for the first time and want to get the most of it! Admire the unique architecture of Oxford University buildings.