Discover Oxford And The Cotswolds: A Self-Guided Tour

Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity

Discover Oxford And The Cotswolds: A Self-Guided Tour

By CloudGuide S.L

Free cancellation available

See tickets

Features

Free cancellation available
6h 30m
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation

Overview

Discover Oxford and the Cotswolds with our self-guided tour, exploring 9 centuries of academic brilliance and enchanting English countryside at your own pace. Begin among the dreaming spires of Oxford — the oldest English-speaking university city — where college quads, Gothic libraries, and dining halls that inspired the Harry Potter films stand alongside markets. Gaze up at the Radcliffe Camera dome, walk Christ Church College where Lewis Carroll first told Alice's adventures, and cross Hertford Bridge — Oxford's Bridge of Sighs. Then venture into the Cotswold Hills, where time stands still in villages of warm honey-coloured limestone. Wade through the River Windrush at Bourton-on-the-Water, photograph the medieval cottages at Bibury's Arlington Row, and climb Broadway Tower for views across 16 counties. From Blenheim Palace to the ancient squares of Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden, this tour weaves heritage and pastoral beauty across one of England's most treasured landscapes.

Activity location

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
- Ashmolean Museum Beaumont Street,
- OX1 2PH, Oxford, United Kingdom

Meeting/Redemption Point

Radcliffe Camera
- Radcliffe Camera Radcliffe Square
- OX1 3BG, Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Check availability

Discover Oxford And The Cotswolds: A Self-Guided Tour

6h 30m
English

Travellers

Language options: English

Starting time

Price details

AU$6.48 x 1 AdultAU$6.48

Total

What's included, what's not

Enjoy audio guide access for more than 40 sites across Oxford and the Cotswolds
Self-guided walking tour (app)
Digital Map
Private transport
Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals

Know before you book

Not recommended for travellers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
Public transport options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Radcliffe Camera (Pass by)

The magnificent circular reading room designed by James Gibbs in 1749 — one of the most iconic library buildings in the world and the heart of Oxford University's Bodleian Library system. The adjoining Old Bodleian Library, founded in 1602, features the medieval Duke Humfrey's Library and the stunning Divinity School with its fan-vaulted ceiling.

Christ Church (Pass by)

Oxford's grandest and most famous college — founded by Cardinal Wolsey in 1524 and home to the magnificent Great Hall that inspired Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. The college chapel uniquely doubles as Oxford's cathedral, while the tranquil Tom Quad and the Meadow walks along the Thames offer peaceful retreats behind the imposing Tom Tower gateway.

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

The world's first public museum, founded in 1683 — housing an extraordinary collection spanning Egyptian mummies, Greek sculpture, Renaissance paintings by Raphael and Michelangelo, the Alfred Jewel, and Powhatan's Mantle from Virginia. The beautifully renovated neoclassical building on Beaumont Street offers five floors of art and archaeology entirely free of charge.

Bridge of Sighs

The ornate skyway connecting the two halves of Hertford College across New College Lane — inspired by Venice's Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge. Completed in 1914 by Sir Thomas Jackson, this Venetian-style covered bridge has become one of Oxford's most photographed landmarks and a quintessential symbol of the university city.

Oxford Covered Market

A beloved Oxford institution since 1774 — a charming indoor market of independent butchers, bakers, florists, and speciality food stalls tucked behind the High Street. Sample the legendary Ben's Cookies, browse vintage clothing, and pick up artisan cheeses beneath the Victorian iron-and-glass roof that has sheltered traders for two and a half centuries.

Blenheim Palace (Pass by)

A monumental UNESCO World Heritage baroque palace in Woodstock — the birthplace of Winston Churchill and the only non-royal palace in England. Designed by John Vanbrugh with gardens by Capability Brown, the estate encompasses 2,000 acres of parkland, formal Italian gardens, a hedge maze, and the magnificent Long Library stretching 55 metres.

Bourton-on-the-Water

Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds — a picture-perfect village where the shallow River Windrush flows through the centre beneath elegant low stone bridges, bordered by honey-coloured cottages and manicured lawns. The village green fills with families paddling in summer, while the Model Village, Birdland, and the Motor Museum offer gentle diversions.

Bibury

A row of medieval weavers' cottages dating to the 14th century — described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England. The steeply gabled Arlington Row, built from warm Cotswold stone and reflected in the waters of the River Coln, appears on the inside cover of the British passport and is one of the most photographed scenes in the country.

Stow-on-the-Wold

The highest town in the Cotswolds at 244 metres, centred around a large market square where eight roads converge — once one of the most important sheep fairs in England. The atmospheric St Edward's Church north door, framed by ancient yew trees that inspired Tolkien's Doors of Durin, and the antiques shops lining the square make this a quintessential Cotswold stop.

Broadway Tower (Pass by)

A stunning 18th-century Gothic folly perched atop the second-highest point in the Cotswolds at 312 metres — offering panoramic views across sixteen counties on a clear day. Built in 1798 for Lady Coventry, the tower later became a retreat for William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelite artists. The surrounding Broadway Tower Country Park is perfect for walking.

Chipping Campden

The jewel of the northern Cotswolds — a perfectly preserved wool town whose magnificent High Street of honey-stone houses, the 15th-century perpendicular Gothic Church of St James, and the Jacobean Market Hall built in 1627 testify to the immense wealth generated by the medieval wool trade. The start point of the 102-mile Cotswold Way walking trail.

Castle Combe

Regularly voted the prettiest village in England — a tiny hamlet of medieval stone cottages nestled in a wooded valley with no visible modern intrusions. The 14th-century market cross, the ancient packhorse bridge over the By Brook, and the St Andrew's Church with its faceless clock have made Castle Combe a favoured film location, appearing in War Horse and Stardust.

Location

Activity location

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
- Ashmolean Museum Beaumont Street,
- OX1 2PH, Oxford, United Kingdom

Meeting/Redemption Point

Radcliffe Camera
- Radcliffe Camera Radcliffe Square
- OX1 3BG, Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Oxford your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top experiences in Oxford

With so many activities in Oxford, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours and activities in Oxford. Families, couples and business travellers can all find the perfect activity in Oxford to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.