RORY IN OXFORD

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A tour guide explains a map to a young girl whilst her mother takes a photo. They are on a path flanked by a hedge and a stone building. A tour guide explains a map to a young girl whilst her mother takes a photo. They are on a path flanked by a hedge and a stone building.

OXFORD UNIVERSITY & CITY WALKING TOUR

Unforgettable walking tours, by a graduate of the University of Oxford.
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90-minute Oxford walking tours begin at St Michael at the North Gate, Cornmarket Street, Oxford, OX1 3EY.
Standard tickets cost £17.50 per person. Family and child discounts are available.
Includes entry into a College or University Building, so you can see inside the University!
My Oxford University and City walking tour is the best way to visit Oxford: an unforgettable 90-minutes in the world’s greatest university - led by Rory, a recent graduate of the University of Oxford (BA Philosophy and Theology, 2020-2023).

You’ll discover a thousand years of history and tradition, learn from first-hand experience what it’s like to be an Oxford University Student, and visit some of the most incredible architecture in the world. We’ll even go inside a University building (Divinity School) or a college (normally Trinity College)!

I keep my tour groups small and personal – there’ll never be more than 12 people – meaning you’ll be able to ask all the questions you want. I’m always happy to adapt tours to the interests of the group, and provide recommendations on the best things to do in Oxford.
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ITINERARY

  1. St. Michael at the North Gate
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    One of the oldest buildings remaining in Oxford, and, accordingly, thoroughly steeped in history - the church of St. Michael at the North Gate is where we start our tour of Oxford. Here, I'll explain how Oxford first came to be, and tell the dramatic stories of conflict between City and University.

  2. Balliol College
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    Balliol is one of the oldest colleges in Oxford. Here, I'll explain how the college system works and tell you about some of my experiences of college life.

  3. Trinity College
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    Trinity is Balliol's big rival - you'll hear about the devious, and altogether hilarious, ways that the two colleges battle each other. If we're lucky, we might be able to go inside to see the chapel, quads, dining hall, and libraries - letting you see how a college works day-to-day (alternatively, we’ll go inside Divinity School).

  4. Blackwell’s
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    One of the largest bookshops in England, Blackwell's has a long association with Oxford University. You can browse its six miles of bookshelves after the tour!

  5. Western Library
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    The rare manuscripts library in Oxford. I'll direct you to any current exhibitions held by the library, so you can see some of our treasures for yourself.

  6. Sheldonian Theatre
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    The ceremonial theatre of the University of Oxford. You'll find out about the secretive ceremonies that happen here, the bizarre things that students have to wear to take part, and why your head might hurt at the end of your graduation...

  7. Clarendon Building
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    The original location of the University Press, the Clarendon Building is an exquisite example of 18th century neoclassical architecture.

  8. Bridge of Sighs
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    One of the most famous sites at the University of Oxford. There will, of course, be plenty of time to take photos!

  9. Bodleian Library
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    Visit the Bodleian Library, the main library in the University of Oxford. We'll go inside the Schools Quadrangle, where you can see the entrances to the old lecture rooms, incredible stonework, and the most impressive frontispiece in the whole of England. But there's so much to see here; I can't wait to tell you all about it.

  10. Divinity School
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    Go inside the oldest, and perhaps most beautiful, building in the University of Oxford. With its stunning vaulted ceiling, fascinating artefacts - and an incredible history to go with it - this is something you really don't want to miss (alternatively, we’ll go inside Trinity College).

  11. Radcliffe Camera
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    Perhaps the most iconic building in Oxford, the stunning neoclassical Radcliffe Camera is now the history faculty library for the University. I’ll describe how students use the library today and explain why it’s often considered the perfect place to take a nap! I’m always happy to take photos of you and your group – but you might particularly want them here!

  12. All Souls College
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    The most prestigious college in Oxford – but that’s because there aren’t any students there! I’ll explain how All Souls continues to be the most exclusive college in the University, and why they still set the hardest exam in the world.

  13. University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
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    Executions, trials, riots: the University Church has seen it all. See the site of the first ever Oxford University building - and find out how a student argument over the price of wine led to the Lord Mayor not being allowed to wear any shoes...

  14. St. Mary’s Passage
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    C. S. Lewis' inspiration for Narnia - see the lamppost that ended up on the other side of a wardrobe, and discover the familiar faces hiding in plain sight.

  15. Examination Schools
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    A place of great dread: see where all Oxford students take their exams. If we're there at the right time, we might even see students wearing academic robes and coloured carnations before they go inside.

  16. Merton College
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    Merton is known as the most academic college in Oxford, and not without reason. Learn about the mysterious 'Time Ceremony', and find out why you might see a Merton student walking backwards at two o'clock in the morning.

  17. Christ Church
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    Prime Ministers, Alice and Wonderland, and a cathedral for a chapel - Christ Church is a strange place. I'll break down how and why Christ Church got its reputation, and find the best spots to see its towers.

  18. Christ Church Meadow
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    A beautiful place to end our Oxford walking tour, Christ Church meadow is open to students, visitors, and, most importantly, cows. I'll let you into the secrets of the college boat clubs, and show you the most scenic parts of the meadow. From there, I can give guidance on the best things to do in Oxford.

Hi, it's Rory.
BA Philosophy and Theology student, University of Oxford (2020-2023).

I’ve just finished my degree at the University of Oxford, and I’d love to show you around. Having led hundreds of people from all over the world on unforgettable Oxford walking tours, I know how to make your trip the best it possibly can be. It would be great to hear from you; if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

email: roryinoxford@gmail.com

phone: (+44) 07425 614378

or click here to open a contact form.
Rory, who would be your Oxford tour guide, wearing a hat. The photo is framed.
Hi, it's Rory.
BA Philosophy and Theology student, University of Oxford (2020-2023).

I’ve just finished my degree at the University of Oxford, and I’d love to show you around. Having led hundreds of people from all over the world on unforgettable Oxford walking tours, I know how to make your trip the best it possibly can be. It would be great to hear from you; if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

email: roryinoxford@gmail.com>

phone: (+44) 07425 614378

or click here to open a contact form Rory, who would be your Oxford tour guide, wearing a hat. The photo is framed.
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