About Oxford History Tours

Welcome to the wonderland that is Oxford

Oxford History Tours is a showcase historical tours Oxford. Oxford is swamped with tours about Harry Potter, Inspector Morse and other cinematic and television locations, and they are wonderful stories, but there is much more to the city - what we call ‘the real walk and talk’.

Oxford History Tour guides are certified by the Institute of Tourist Guiding and are passionate about their historical niche. You will find their enthusiasm and knowledge contagious and memorable.

Oxford’s past has been remarkably well cared for city which has treasured its past throughout the tribulations of the centuries. There is a lifetime of stories to tell here.

Lets talk about your tour…

Send an enquiry or look at our ready to book tours.

Exceptional Guides

  • Institute of Tourist Guiding and Oxford Guild Guides

    The Oxford Guild, regulated by the Institute of Tourist Guiding (ITG), is based on a rigorous training programme and continued professional development. Oxford is endowed with an exceptional quality of tour guide.

    All Oxford History Tours’ ITG guides are amongst the very best the city has to offer. They have been selected for their story telling and historical expertise to offer unique experiences that bring you an informed, insightful and out-of-the-ordinary experience of Oxford.

  • Oxford’s Published Authors

    Another distinctive source of guiding talent in Oxford is its writers.

    Oxford is home to story tellers and guides (you can find their titles in the Oxford History Shop).

    Oxford History Tours will help you find an author to enrich your time in Oxford with their expertise.

Meet Exceptional Guides

About OHT’s Founder

I started welcoming travellers and organising itineraries while living in deep rural southern France. In 2009 I co-founded Cathar Country Tours which offered top drawer tours about the Albigensian Crusade and the Langue d’Oc. While I wove the itineraries, curated the restaurants and ensured a seamless experience for our guests, my partner delivered a second to none historical tour of the region’s history.

I realised that some of the travellers who approached me knew the work of local authors who were friends and acquaintances of ours. Experts in their field and connoisseurs of France, they included Richard Stanley, Henry-Lincoln, Rupert Soskin and Tim Wallace-Murphy. With these local friends and acquaintances I created opportunities for authors and readers to meet and discover the region’s scenes of famous historic events together.

Today I bring my infectious enthusiasm and local knowledge to Oxford. With Oxford History Tours you can be sure that your experience will be carefully crafted and accompanied by an experienced guide, an expert in their field.

An Art History and History BA hons, an Associate of the British Institute of Tourist Guiding and a member of the British Guild of Tourist Guides Sophie is also an ITG certified French speaking guide.

Reserving your Oxford History Tour

Oxford History Tours can mostly be booked straightaway online using our safe and secure reservation platform.

Access to some parts of the University and colleges is by prior arrangement only. These tours are arranged for you.

Seven day’s advance notice is typically required for a tour.

Can’t see what you are looking for or a last minute emergency? Just ask.

  • "The tour was well thought out and Sophie was an engaging guide with a mine of interesting information, much of it new to me even as someone who's lived in Oxford for the past 30 years. Definitely recommended."

    J Willams, Oxford

  • "Sophie offered us a tailor-made tour that perfectly met our expectations."

    Steve, Munich, Germany

  • "Wonderful tour about Oxford, very knowledgeable guide. We enjoyed every minute of it."

    Maria, USA

  • "Sophie is a congenial host with vast knowledge of the colleges and general Oxford area. Good communication and instruction for meet up. Would highly recommend her tour!"

    Andrew, New York, USA

  • "Fascinating tour by a wonderful guide!"

    Michael, USA

  • "Sophie is so knowledgeable! Oxford is a city of history, and she knows it so well. Her recommendation for our dinner after the tour was perfect! She also took care of me beforehand in suggesting other things to do before her tour. She’s the best. A pro’s pro!"

    Kori, USA

  • "My history tour with Sophie was informative and entertaining. The horror was made funny and the ridiculous serious. I was surprised by how much I didn't know and went away with new insights into, not only the university's history and traditions, but the history of England generally. I also got some good ideas for the rest of my stay in Oxford. Thank you!"

    James, UK

  • "This tour was a lovely introduction to Oxford University. As a recent transplant from the US, it was a great way to get my bearings of the area, visit a college, and learn about some fascinating local history. Whether we were gazing at gargoyles or admiring beautiful stained glass, Sophie was a true delight – very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and well-articulated. I highly recommend this experience!"

    Megan, USA

  • "Fascinating, thoughtfully constructed tour of Oxford University encompassing a thousand years of history. I've lived in Oxford for thirty years, yet in this tour learned new and intriguing nuggets about the city, discovered hidden gems in ancient stone buildings that I've been strolling past all these years."

    Maria, Oxford, UK

  • "Sophie is a superb, experienced and enriching guide. We are a retired US professional couple. We've hired individual local guides throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and Sophie tops our list! She spent hours with us in advance, curating our day in Oxford, then filled our tour with history, architecture, art, education, culture…and fun. The day was perfectly paced and suited to our needs. It was a graduation day, so like the happy students, we too tossed our hats in celebration. Brava Sophie!"

    K & A Krupsky, Chicago, USA