Exeter College

More About Exeter College

Exeter is Oxford's fourth oldest college. It was popular with the sons of gentry from the west country including Cornwall.

Exeter Alumni have excelled in literature. Allen Bennett, Martyn Amis and Phillip Pullman are  amongst Exeter’’s alumni.

JK Rowling was elected as an honorary fellow for her contribution to children’s literacy, and Philip Pullman based his fictional ‘Jordan College’ on it.

Exeter’s chapel, inspired by Saint Chapelle in Paris, is an outstanding example of architecture borne of the 19th century Oxford movement.

Visit Exeter College

  • Discover the astonishing history and beauty of Oxford. Through the iconic and lesser known details we'll discover traditions, outstanding individuals, and legacies that have been born and formed in this delightful city of scholarship and history.

    You'll learn about Oxford's Anglo Saxon origins, how the University came about what a College is. Fabulous sites include the Divinity School and Bodleian library. We'll see and learn about stained glass, patrons, and architecture, bishops, royalty, saints and legendary personalities and social upheavals that never fail to astonish and surprise.

    The tour includes a visit to Oxford's fourth oldest College, Exeter.

  • Exeter is Oxford's fourth oldest college. It was popular with the sons of gentry from the west country including Cornwall.

    Exeter Alumni have excelled in literature. Allen Bennett, Martyn Amis and Phillip Pullman are  alumni. JK Rowling was elected as an honorary fellow for her contribution to children’s literacy and Philip Pullman based his fictional Jordan College on it.

    Its chapel is inspired by Saint Chapelle in Paris and is an outstanding example of architecture borne of the 19th century Oxford movement.

  • "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