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Oxford College Gardens Public Walking Tour

5 Reviews 4.80 out of 5 stars Based on 5 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Oxford, England
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from $102.80 per person

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 15 (0) days in advance.
2 hours (approx.)
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Offered in: English
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Overview

Entry worth £10 per person is included to Magdalen college and deer park, as and when it is open. See what is excluded section for any dates of closures.

Besides introducing Oxford heritage, this tour is led by one of Oxford's most experienced local guides and it introduces the best college gardens off the beaten route of most tourists visiting Oxford. For anyone interested in herbalism, this can be a focus interest too, if made known in advance before the tour. You will visit inside at least one or more college -see details of which colleges in the main tour description. This tour is suitable for all ages but it will appeal especially to anyone who has a special interest in gardening.

What's Included

  • Entry inside at least one or more colleges such as St Johns, Exeter, Balliol or Wadham
  • Entry worth £10 per person to Magdalen college is included- except any dates published closures
  • Magdalen college entry ticket for £10 is not included in tour & is an optional add
  • Colleges may be closed on graduation dates- see dates below...
  • 2026 graduation dates of likely closures of some or all colleges:
See 4 moreSee 7 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

15-16 Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3AS, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Magdalen College

Entry to Magdalen worth £10 per person is included in the tour. This is probably the gem of Oxford college gardens and it's also famous for where CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien used to walk and talk in the gardens.The college also has a deer park.Note that on any dates, when Magdalen is closed, we will replace instead with entry to another college. See dates of any closures under the section.Magdalen is closed every year from usually about December 21 until December 31st.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Balliol College (pass by)

This college dates back to 1263! We usually visit this college too- unless it's closed.This college has an amazing dining hall which looks like Hogwarts hall!This college is where Adam Smith studied plus four prime ministers.Entry worth £5 per person included
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Magdalen College (pass by)

Magdalen is ONLY included in our tour, if you agree to pay the extra £10 cost directly to the college. We can discuss the option of whether to include this or not in the tour, on the day but please be aware that it's at least 20 minutes walk away.This college has the most expansive and probably the most pleasant gardens.Addisons Walk is also where CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien used to walk and talk. Magdalen is where Cs Lewis taught.
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Bridge of Sighs (pass by)

We walk past and introduce this sight on our tours
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University Church of St. Mary the Virgin (pass by)

We walk past and introduce this sight on our tours
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Brasenose College (pass by)

We walk past and introduce this sight on our tours
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All Souls College (pass by)

We walk past and introduce this sight on our tours
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Hertford College (pass by)

We walk past and introduce this sight on our tours
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Trinity College (pass by)

We walk past and introduce this sight on our tours
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Bodleian Library (pass by)

We walk past and introduce this sight on our tours
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Wadham College (pass by)

We walk past and introduce this sight on our tours. If however Exeter or St Johns or Balliol college is closed, we may instead visit this college chapel and garden. Its entry fee is £3 per person.This is the college which JK Rowling applied to but she was turned down.
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St John's College (pass by)

This college is always on our tour to visit inside and see the medieval quadrange, the gardens and the chapel. Its free entry. However, it's only open from 1pm to 5pm.
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Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology (pass by)

We walk past and introduce this sight on our tours
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Exeter College (pass by)

This is easily one of Oxford's college gems, founded in 1314 and the student college of Tolkien plus of the pre Raphaelites artists, William Morris & Edward Burne Jones.The chapel is gorgeous & so is the Old Fellows Garden.This college is also where they often filmed Inspector Morse & Lewis shows.This college is usually closed to the public but as a guide, I can get you access with me, as and when the college is open. It is usually closed in term time though.On dates when Magdalen college is closed, we usually replace with entry to Exeter college instead.Exeter alongwith most colleges is closed during Christmas period from about December 20 till about January 4.
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Show 13 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Oxford College Gardens Public Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-22362P49

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Reviews

4.80
5 reviews

Average 4.80 out of 5 stars based on 5 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 15 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Oxford College Gardens Public Walking Tour?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Entry inside at least one or more colleges such as St Johns, Exeter, Balliol or Wadham.
  • Entry worth £10 per person to Magdalen college is included- except any dates published closures.
The following is NOT included:
  • Magdalen college entry ticket for £10 is not included in tour & is an optional add.
  • Colleges may be closed on graduation dates- see dates below.
  • 2026 graduation dates of likely closures of some or all colleges:.
  • Feb 28, March7, May 15+16+23, July 18+28+31, Aug 1+8, Sep 25+26, Nov 6+7+13+14 of 2026.
  • 2027 graduation dates of likely closures of some or all colleges:.
  • Jan 23, Feb 27, March 6, May 14 + 15+ 22 of 2027.
  • Magdalen is always closed during Christmas from about December 21 until December 31.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 14..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Oxford College Gardens Public Walking Tour is as follows:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Oxford College Gardens Public Walking Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Entry inside at least one or more colleges such as St Johns, Exeter, Balliol or Wadham
  • Entry worth £10 per person to Magdalen college is included- except any dates published closures
  • Magdalen college entry ticket for £10 is not included in tour & is an optional add
  • Colleges may be closed on graduation dates- see dates below...
  • 2026 graduation dates of likely closures of some or all colleges:
  • Feb 28, March7, May 15+16+23, July 18+28+31, Aug 1+8, Sep 25+26, Nov 6+7+13+14 of 2026
  • 2027 graduation dates of likely closures of some or all colleges:
  • Jan 23, Feb 27, March 6, May 14 + 15+ 22 of 2027
  • Magdalen is always closed during Christmas from about December 21 until December 31

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name