2 hour Christchurch Tales Oxford's Legacy of History and Fantasy
Overview
Explore Christchurch, Oxford’s most prestigious college on an ancient site. Harry Potter was filmed,
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland were conceived here, and 13 British Prime Ministers educated and famousHarry Potter scenes filmed. Visit the Hall, staircase, medieval cathedral, and more of its architectural marvels.
The tour continues with a beautifully curated introduction to Oxford’s architectural and historical highlights, featuring its most iconic sites, offering a concise yet immersive journey through centuries of history and culture.
An Institute of Tourist Guiding (ITG) certified guide is one of the few permitted to lead visitors inside Christchurch.
You will enjoy an informed and enriching experience. ITG green and blue badge guides meet strict standards of historical knowledge, guiding expertise, and visitor safety. This tour is available in English, French, or both.
Gallery
What's Included
✓ Included
- Advice to help explore and eat after the tour
- Guided tour led by an experienced, licensed guide
- Entrance fee to a medieval college
Itinerary
1
Stop 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
2
Stop 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.
3
Stop 3
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.
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Stop 4
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.
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Stop 5
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.
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Stop 6
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.
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Stop 7
Founded in 1509, is named after a distinctive brass door knocker. Alumni include David Cameron, Michael Palin, and William Golding.
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Stop 8
Oxford's first science Library. Learn about one of Oxford's most extraordinary and generous benefactors, the Royal Physician sir John Radcliffe
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Stop 9
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.
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Stop 10
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.
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Stop 11
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.
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Stop 12
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.
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Stop 13
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.
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Stop 14
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.
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Stop 15
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.
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Stop 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.
17
Stop 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.
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Stop 18
A view of important landmarks on an iconic central street.
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Stop 19
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.
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Stop 20
Important Victorian monument to Oxford’s Protestant martyrs of the 16th century.
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Stop 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
Meeting & End Point
📍
Meeting Point
Christchurch Meadow entrance. Details in confirmation.
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Good to Know
- 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
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Traveler Reviews
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