Exclusive tour of Christ Church Oxford with a local Oxford Graduate Green Badge Guide.
No queuing or waiting in line, we go straight in to this grandest and most famous of the Oxford Colleges.
Entry fees all included.
The tour lasts about an hour including the magnificent Cathedral.
This is a very special walking tour full of authentic stories, fascinating facts, and stunning sights.
Christ Church is a big, welcoming Oxford college and a city Cathedral sharing a unique historic space.
- the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter’s Hogwarts
- the intellectual breeding ground of 13 British Prime Ministers
- the alma mater of the founders of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Berkeley
- the site of a gruesome 11th century massacre
- where lies a Saxon Princess and Saint still supplicated today for her healing interventions
- the only cathedral in the world which is also a college chapel…and much more.
What we will cover:
Introduction to Christ Church – a tale of ambition, wealth and power.
The unique Oxford collegiate and tutorial system and why we are the Number One University in the world.
Famous historical characters with close links to Christ Church including:
Henry VIII, his beautiful Spanish first wife Catherine.
The founder of Christ Church, Cardinal Wolsey.
Royal resident Charles I and the English Civil War.
Robert Peel and the establishment of England’s first ever police force and why the British police are still called “Bobbies”.
Harry Potter… (what do you mean he’s not real?)
The 8th century legend of St Frideswide and her rejected suitor old King Algar.
The spellbinding architecture dating from the 1100s.
The Alice in Wonderland connections and stories, including where the White Rabbit came from and why Alice’s neck grew longer and longer…
The world class Cathedral Choir and how to listen to them for free.
The 13th century shrine to Oxford’s patron saint St Frideswide, and the Tudor Catholic Queen who prayed to her, in vain, for a son.
The tragic story of Henry II and St Thomas Becket’s murder in 1170.
The Great Hall, including the famous portraits, the Alice In Wonderland window and the Einstein connection.
Why Christ Church is 5 minutes behind everywhere else (really!).
Why it is NEVER called “Christ Church College”.
The Bishop’s seat (his cathedra).
Why the great Tom bell tolls every night exactly 101 times.
The Harry Potter Oxford connections, Potterheads will be enchanted and entranced!
All interspersed with unique and personal insights into Oxford undergraduate life from a former student, current Master of Arts (MA) of the University, qualified Institute of Tourist Guiding Green Badge Guide, member of our local professional association, the Oxford Guild of Tour Guides, and Christ Church Accredited Guide.
Private Small Group Bookings Only – Maximum 5 People – for that intimate, personal, exclusive experience.
Tickets: £40 per person, minimum 4 people, maximum 5 people.
Ideal for families and friends.
Larger groups split into smaller groups of 5 are possible. Please enquire using the contact options below.
Email me here for more info, or to book:
“I wonder anybody does anything at Oxford but dream and remember, the place is so beautiful.” WB Yeats
