Stories of Oxford Tours

Booking information

£4.00 / person

Up to 10 people

Description

Stories of Oxford guided tours are led by our dedicated volunteer team and will give you an introduction to the people and stories of Oxford.


Our guides will take you on their personalised themed tour around the Museum, lasting 30-45 minutes, with time for questions at the end.


From football to fairgrounds, marmalade to Morris Motors, patron saints to pubs, barges, bones, and all types of quirky customs — there’s something for everyone in the stories of Oxford and its people.


Tickets cost £4 per person. Book online or at the Museum Shop. Booking in advance is recommended.


Free entry to the Museum of Oxford galleries is included with event tickets.


Event tickets are non-refundable if you choose to cancel your booking. 

A refund will only be issued if the event is cancelled or if there is a significant change to the advertised programme.


When you arrive for the tour, please make yourself known to the team in the Museum Shop. We recommend arriving by 12.55pm to ensure a prompt start to the tour.


Tour themes

A History of Oxford in 6 Objects: Always wanted to know about our city? Come and listen to our guide take you from Saxon times to the present day, using six objects to explain our history, including the city origins, the city and the University, the English Civil War, literary Oxford, scientific Oxford and industrial Oxford.


An introduction to Oxford's Past: What is it that's unique about Oxford? This tour identifies some of the features that have made the city special: from the Saxon period, the development of the university, and the English Civil Wars, to more recent features such as the growth of the car industry, the Covered Market and the important literary figures linked to the city,


Artisan Oxford: Arts, Crafts and Creations: What connects James Bond’s favourite breakfast with the South Pole? How did a small Oxford boutique become the “Holy Grail” of fashion? Encompassing cutting-edge design, folk frivolities, and rare architecture, Oxford arts is unique. Explore our city’s rich creative heritage through a hand-picked selection of artisan objects.


An Oxford Night Out: Since medieval times Oxford has been famous for its vibrant social and cultural scene, making it one of the best places for a night out in the UK. In this tour, we'll explore four aspects of a night out in Oxford through the ages: pubs, music venues, cinema and theatre, and St. Giles Fair, highlighting topics of celebrity, disorder, and hygiene.


The Oxford Story: This tour will explore the stories of the city, and the city of stories. This includes Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Oxford’s cinemas, and Oxford as a film location and place of inspiration for stories.


This Talented Town: A mixture of Oxford city specialities, this tour will highlight the achievements of some of the extraordinary people from this spectacular town.


Tours - June-November 2026

Tuesday 9 June - A History of Oxford in 6 Objects

Saturday 27 June - This Talented Town

Tuesday 7 July - The Oxford Story

Thursday 16 July - An Introduction to Oxford's Past

Saturday 25 July - An Oxford Night Out

Saturday 8 August - A History of Oxford in 6 Objects

Tuesday 18 August - The Oxford Story

Saturday 29 August - This Talented Town

Thursday 10 September - An Introduction to Oxford's Past

Saturday 26 September - An Oxford Night Out

Thursday 8 October - An Introduction to Oxford's Past

Tuesday 20 October - A History of Oxford in 6 Objects

Tuesday 17 November - The Oxford Story

Saturday 28 November - An Oxford Night Out


Access and further information

The Museum of Oxford is accessible for wheelchair users and baby carriers. There is step-free, level entry access to the Town Hall via the entrance closest to Carfax Tower (to the left of the main steps as you face the Town Hall).


Further information about access at the Museum of Oxford can be found on the Museum of Oxford website.


Please contact the Museum team if you'd like to talk to a member of staff about your access requirements before your visit.


Where's this event hosted?

Location

Museum of Oxford, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1BX

Where it's happening:

Museum of Oxford