A day out that keeps everyone interested
Gargoyles, ghost stories, Harry Potter and Alice, paced for the youngest in the party and told so that the adults stay hooked too.
Family favourites
These are the walks families book most. Tell us the ages and we adjust the pace, the length and the stories.
Harry Potter in Oxford
Step into the wizarding world as you explore Oxford’s real-life filming locations, magnificent historic interiors and magical architectural details.
- New College cloisters and the Divinity School, with a small entry charge on the day
- Pitched for the ages in your party, from young readers upwards
Discover Oxford — Family City Tour
Discover Oxford through engaging stories, curious characters and fascinating landmarks, with the pace and content tailored to your children’s ages and interests.
- Radcliffe Square, the Sheldonian Theatre and the Bridge of Sighs
- The Bodleian Library, the Divinity School and the University Church
Alice in Wonderland in Oxford
Follow the Oxford connections behind Alice’s extraordinary adventures and discover the real people, places and curious stories behind the beloved tale.
- The Christ Church of Lewis Carroll and Alice
- Pitched for the ages in your party, from young readers upwards
Oxford’s Ghosts, Legends & Curious Stories
Hear about Oxford’s strange traditions, eccentric characters, mysterious happenings and ghostly tales, with stories selected to suit your children’s ages.
- Ghosts, legends, unusual stories, eccentric characters, hidden curiosities
- Secret places, lesser-known stories, hidden corners, unusual buildings and details
Photo: Jps3, CC BY-SA 4.0Oxford Colleges & University Life
Discover what Oxford students really do, explore historic college surroundings and find out what it takes to become a student here.
- Colleges (Balliol, Trinity, New), architecture, the university and its history
- Inside a college, subject to opening on the day
Oxford on Screen
Explore Oxford’s role in film and television, from magical settings to familiar locations from much-loved productions.
- Lewis, Endeavour, His Dark Materials, Wonka and The Favourite
- College quads, grand staircases, historic libraries and hidden lanes
Oxford’s Literary World
Discover the writers and imaginative worlds connected with Oxford, including Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Philip Pullman and the stories that continue to inspire readers of all ages.
- The colleges of Lewis, Tolkien, Auden and Golding
- Lewis Carroll's Christ Church and the origins of Alice
Oxford and Beyond
Make Oxford your base for a family day out to Blenheim Palace, the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath or Stonehenge, with a guided itinerary suited to your family.
- Blenheim Palace, the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon
- Bath and Stonehenge for a longer day
Bespoke Family Tours
Tell us your children’s ages, interests and energy levels, and we’ll create a tailor-made Oxford experience with the right mix of stories, discovery and time to explore.
- Mix and match from what you’ve seen here
- Gardens, natural history, women’s history, LGBTQ+ Oxford, Jewish heritage, politics, religion and music
What families have said
Read authentic reviews from people who walked Oxford with us.
Our guide was just fantastic, so knowledgeable and friendly. We felt like experts by the time the tour had ended. What a wealth of history and stories to cover in a few hours. Such good value.
The weather had turned and we were ready for anything. The tour was upbeat and informative with really great local knowledge, and a pinch or two of Alice in Wonderland as requested. Really enjoyed the walk round and through the lesser walked paths in Oxford. I would recommend it to anyone.
Victoria did an absolutely wonderful tour. She personalised everything, and the breadth of her knowledge was amazing. She addressed each of our questions and took us to specific sites for our areas of interest, from the history of the colleges to Inspector Morse and Harry Potter scenes.
Built around the ages in your party
Younger children
Ninety minutes of things to spot, stories with a twist and a gargoyle or two.
Teenagers
Film locations, what students actually do here, and how you get in.
Three generations
Level ground, benches on the way, a pace set by the slowest walker and a café at the end.
Three steps, no forms to fight
- 01
Tell us the ages
How many adults and children, their ages, and anything they are already excited about, from Harry Potter to dinosaurs.
- 02
We choose a guide who is good with that age
Several of our guides are former teachers. We match one to your family and plan a route and a length that will hold the youngest.
- 03
Meet, walk, and finish somewhere fun
Your guide ends the walk by the river, the museum with the dinosaurs or the sweet shop from Alice, whichever suits your afternoon.
Good to know
LengthNinety minutes for under-tens, up to two hours for older children.
We can stop early if a small person has had enough.
Pace and accessFlat, compact, and planned for pushchairs.
Benches, loos and cafés are never far, and your guide plans the route with pushchairs and tired legs in mind. Some college interiors have steps.
After the walkPunting, dinosaurs, Alice's Shop and the Covered Market nearby.
Punting from Magdalen Bridge, the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History, Alice's Shop and the Covered Market are all within a few minutes. Your guide will point you the right way.
Group sizeOne family, or two together, works well.
For a larger family gathering we add a second guide.
Plan a family day
Tell us the date and the ages and we will suggest a guide, a length and a walk that suits the whole party.