Sir Winston Churchill took his first breath here at Blenheim Palace in 1874, which is reason enough to add it to your 'sites from English history' checklist.

Visit Blenheim Palace and wander the gilded state rooms and view the portraits, furniture, sculpture, and tapestries. You can even picnic in the gardens.

Included with your palace, park, and gardens ticket is access to a range of events, seasonal trails, and family activities throughout the year. 

Highlights include the Jousting tournament, food festival, flower show, half-term activities, exhibitions, and access to over 300 years of history inside the palace, parkland, and formal gardens.

Visit the *Life Through a Royal Lens* exhibition to explore more than 100 photographs of the British Royal Family, from public events to behind-the-scenes moments. The exhibition runs from 12 July to 27 September.

Blenheim Palace: Entry Ticket

Join a costumed guide and uncover the rich and fascinating history of Oxford, its castle, and prison. Clamber up Saxon St. George's Tower, one of the oldest buildings in Oxford, and enjoy panoramic views over the historic city.

Then, descend into the atmospheric 900-year-old crypt, the only surviving remains of St. George's Chapel. You'll also explore the Debtors' Tower, Prison D-Wing, and the mound of the 11th-century Motte-and-Bailey castle.

Oxford Castle and Prison

A jaunt along the Thames is one of the best ways to see the sights of Oxford. The university can proudly boast that it's the oldest in England, and its beautiful architecture and the vibrant activity on the river make for a delightful cruise.

On your trip you'll take the same route as the university's regatta course, bringing you towards the picturesque Iffley village. You'll also get to meet plenty of locals and students on the stretch of river that locals call The Isis.

Oxford Experience Cruise (45 Minutes)

With its university's roots dating back to the 12th century, Oxford breathes history. Aboard the hop-on, hop-off bus, you'll see the main sights of the city. Best of all, if you notice something you want to explore, you can jump off at the stop! 

Museums, shopping streets and world famous libraries are all along the tour route, and if you're curious to learn more about each, you can simply pick up your audio guide and set it to your language for more information.

24H or 48H Hop-on Hop-off Bus Oxford

Oxford has over 1,000 years of history, from the Saxons to today. On this two-hour tour, a guide will walk you through the stories behind the city’s best-known colleges and landmarks.

You’ll visit places such as the Radcliffe Camera, some of the oldest colleges, and the Covered Market, while exploring the streets and alleyways of the city. Along the way, you’ll hear tales of Oxford’s famous and infamous.

The university has educated authors, inventors, and Prime Ministers. Each guide presents the history in their own way, so no two tours are exactly the same.

Oxford: Official University & City Guided Walking Tour

See the real Oxford University from the eyes of a student on a guided walking tour, led by a current student or alumni. 

Student guides are selected for their deep passion for one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world and their authentic experience, to keep you engaged as you explore this legendary campus. 

On your guided Oxford University walking tour, look up and admire some of the best-preserved gothic and baroque architecture in England. Spend the day learning all about this historic university and the surrounding city, including a peek into several university buildings and winding through groomed gardens. Increase your trivia knowledge with fascinating facts about famous former students and numerous pop culture connections.

Oxford University Walking Tour

The best thing about this Oxford University experience is no homework! Enjoy a 30-minute student-led punting tour along the River Cherwell and see all Oxford has to offer through the eyes of its university students.

Set off south from the boathouse and be chauffeured gently past Oxford’s famous Botanic Gardens, past Magdalen College School fields, and through Christ Church Meadows, where Lewis Carroll taught students in the mid-19-century, when he wrote the famous Alice Through the Looking Glass and Alice in Wonderland. 

Pass St Hilda’s College gardens and head slowly back to the Boathouse. You can ask questions throughout and even have a free punting lesson upon request.

Oxford University Punting Tour Led By University Students

Calling all wizards and muggles! This exciting tour, guided by current or former Oxford University students, will take you to two of the main film locations used in *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* and *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*. it's a must for Harry Potter fans!

You'll cast your eyes on some of the most important buildings and colleges, and learn about other major blockbusters shot in the city. Don't worry, there will be lots of photo opportunities at all of them. Learn about Oxford University, the oldest English-speaking university, voted the best university in the world for a record six years in a row!

Oxford Harry Potter Film Locations Walking Tour

Join local historians Katie and Josh, as they take you for a walk through the charming literary town of Oxford. 

You'll explore iconic architectural, historical, and literary spots, and even learn about three men who were burnt at the stake (gasp!). It's a deep dive into _Olde_ England, as your audio guide reveals the history behind one of the UK's most famous cities.

This captivating and fully immersive audio guide is just like a podcast. Think of it like having two engaging, quirky, and lively guides with you – guides you can pause if you need to stop and admire another slice of history!

Just download the interactive digital audio guide directly to your smartphone and get exploring!

Oxford: City Audio Guide App for Your Smartphone

Oxford's sandstone college buildings and pastoral greens offer a glimpse of quintessential England, and serve as the perfect side dish to go with the afternoon tea that you'll enjoy on your cruise down the Thames.

You'll pass along the university's regatta course and see the university college boat house before arriving at Iffley Lock, where the boating culture of Oxford is most prominent. While you enjoy tea, you'll also see Rose Island, a favourite spot of Lewis Carroll.

Oxford Afternoon Tea River Cruise

Meet your graduate guide at the entrance of the ‘Shop of Secrets’ on Broad Street for your Oxford University College walking tour and discover the colourful story of the oldest English-speaking university in the world!

This combined walking tour and punting tour is all led by university students, who can't wait to show you what's going on at Oxford. You'll be led straight from the walking tour to the starting point of the punting tour. Set off south from the boathouse and be chauffeured gently past Oxford’s famous Botanic Gardens, Magdalen College School fields, St Hilda’s College gardens, and Christ Church Meadows, where Lewis Carroll taught and wrote his *Alice* classics in the mid-19th-century.  

It's the best university experience you'll ever have, and best of all, no homework.

Combined Oxford University Walking & Punting Tour

CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien spent many years studying and teaching at Oxford, and parts of their most well-known books began here. From discussions of fantasy worlds at The Eagle and Child pub to the first inspiration of *Narnia* in St Mary’s Passage, their work is closely connected to the city and the university.

This tour follows places linked to their time in Oxford and explains how their experiences influenced their writing. You’ll visit locations they spent time in and hear about their lives at the university.

Running on selected Saturdays, the tour is suited to fans of *The Chronicles of Narnia*, *The Lord of the Rings*, and *The Hobbit*, as well as anyone interested in learning more about these two members of The Inklings Society and their time in Oxford.

Oxford: Official CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien Guided Walking Tour

Oxford has over 1,000 years of history and plenty of ghost stories to go with it. Join a knowledgeable guide for an evening walk through the city as you hear stories of murder, disappearances, and executions.

You’ll visit well-known landmarks in Oxford and around the university at night, see the colleges where executions took place, and learn about some of the city’s most famous ghosts.

The tour takes you through narrow streets and historic college grounds, along Dead Man’s Walk, and into the stories of 17th-century soldiers, priests, lovers, and even kings who met their end in the "City of Dreaming Spires."

Oxford: Official Guided Ghost Tour

Oxford is a popular filming location for movies and TV series. VisitBritain’s campaign “Starring Great Britain” highlights places like this.

More than 40 films and 7 TV series have been filmed here, including 102 episodes of *Inspector Morse*, *Inspector Lewis*, and *Endeavour*.

On this tour, a guide will take you to well-known filming locations around the city. These include the Radcliffe Camera, seen in *Saltburn*, and the Bodleian Library, which appeared in *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*.

You’ll also visit spots used in *His Dark Materials* and *A Discovery of Witches*.

Tickets in Kidlington