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Merton College

Merton College: Our most recommended tours and activities

Oxford: University and City Walking Tour with Alumni Guide

1. Oxford: University and City Walking Tour with Alumni Guide

Step inside Oxford University and explore the grounds on a guided walking tour. Admire the iconic architecture and learn about university life from your student guide. Visit one of the university’s oldest colleges and the Bodleian Library. Learn about the history of the university colleges, including All Souls College, Trinity College, Oriel College, Hertford College, and Merton College, the Radcliffe Camera, and the University Church of St. Mary. Get an equally in-depth history of the town. Hear about ceremonies at Oxford, famous graduates, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and also how the most powerful Archbishop of Canterbury was burned at the stake in Oxford.

Oxford: Christ Church Harry Potter Film Locations Tour

2. Oxford: Christ Church Harry Potter Film Locations Tour

Enjoy a walking tour introducing the making of Harry Potter in Oxford and an audio-guided tour inside Christ Church College. See and hear about both Harry Potter and Lewis Carroll’s legendary characters, such as Alice and the Mad Hatter.  First, admire the views of Christ Church Meadows. Take in the borders of the rivers of Cherwell and Isis. Next, see longhorn cattle graze and the dreamy spires of Merton College and Corpus Christi. Then, see the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe. See Christ Church's cloisters and staircase that were used as inspiration for the Great Hall, or visit New College. Also enjoy entry to either the Divinity School or the New College film site.

Oxford's Literary Legends and Landmarks" A Self-Guided Tour

3. Oxford's Literary Legends and Landmarks" A Self-Guided Tour

From the Chronicles of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland to Lord of the Rings and His Dark Materials, what is it about Oxford that has inspired several fantasy fiction classics? On this walking tour, Hears stories about how Oxford itself nurtured the minds of these fantasy literature giants. See where the famous wordsmiths behind these titles lived, worked and played, and some of their favourite haunts. You’ll be amazed at the sheer breadth of talent and imagination that’s concentrated in one city. Starting in front of Carfax Tower, you’ll wander through the city centre and along the Board Walk, along the way you’ll hear about Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration behind Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. I’ll show you the locations where JK Rowling’s Harry Potter was filmed, with the University of Oxford adapted to become Hogwarts. We’ll step into the world of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, where you’ll follow in the footsteps of Will and Lyra and make your way around Radcliffe Square to the Bodleian Library. After wandering through different parts of the university, your tour reaches the end in front of the Eagle and Child pub, a popular hangout for the Inklings, an informal literary club in the early to mid-1900s. Whether you’re a fan of fantasy fiction, classic literature, a newcomer to Oxford, or just plain curious, this tour offers a fascinating glimpse into another world – that of the imagination!

Oxford: Extended University Tour Entering Christ Church

4. Oxford: Extended University Tour Entering Christ Church

You will begin in central Oxford, with a brief and engaging introduction which will lay the foundation for the vast periods of history to be covered! Then the tour will enter a college renowned for having the most beautiful lawns in Oxford along with an iconic dispute with its neighbour - resulting in a supposed theft of the College tortoise (Oxford Annual Tortoise Race explanation included!). Then the group will visit the Sheldonian Theatre, where students experience the most iconic ceremony at Oxford University. You can hear from your student guide how the experience was for them. Next you will enter a historic museum -complete with a chalkboard used by Einstein in Oxford - and visit the Weston Library, a great example of a hybrid historic and modern interior. This tour will then cover sites that none of our other tours do! Including Oriel College, Merton College and iconic literary giants from Oxford's history. You can get a photo under the Bridge of Sighs before gazing up at the first round library in England, where your Oxford student guide will give you rare insights into the labyrinth of underground tunnels students. Not to be forgotten, All Souls College. With entrance exams as complex as they are bizarre, this site will highlight how exclusive a College can be and how influential its members are. Heading down to the southern part of Oxford, we visit a hidden door depicting the most famous characters in C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. Before entering the largest College at Oxford, Home to Oscar Wilde and C. S. Lewis, and its own deer park. Explore the iconic grounds which have been home to Oxford’s most influential writers, complete with medieval cloisters. The tour will head over to the home of Tolkien, to discuss not only its literary importance, but it’s multi million pound kitchen, funded by the current Emperor of Japan! The tour will then go to Christ Church meadows - a stunning expanse of land incredibly rare in a medieval city. Here you will learn about its close connection to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - along with its decision to be held to a different time zone than the rest of Oxford. Finally, the tour will enter one of the most lavish, and famous Colleges of all those at Oxford University; Christ Church. Famed for its literally links, and scenes used in the filming of Harry Potter; it is such an iconic site that many mistake it for representing the entire University. Wonder through the dining hall which inspired that used in Hogwarts, and see where some of the greatest philosophers, writers and royalty have studied. The guide will provide a comprehensive overview of its history, before you enter accompanied with a multimedia guide, to explore the College at your own pace. Please note - the structure on the day may differ.

Oxford: 3-Hour Private Tour with Student Guide

5. Oxford: 3-Hour Private Tour with Student Guide

Embark on an extended 3-hour tour of the best Oxford has to offer with a local student guide. Go behind closed doors with an energetic and knowledgeable student guide who will help you to peel back the complex layers and mystique of this world-famous institution. First, visit one of the oldest colleges at Oxford University for a peek inside this restricted world of academia. Stroll the gardens, unearth the peculiar Oxford traditions, and see from a real student, how this elite educational institution operates. Then, head over to the Bodleian Library - a colossal site that houses over 13 million books. Enter the first purpose-built lecture room at Oxford, where you can admire some of the most ornate medieval architecture in Europe. Listen as your guide explains the early rituals and tests students underwent, how the British Parliament was held in the building by King Charles I and later King Charles II. Discover the library’s role in the most defining ceremony at Oxford and see the locations where multiple scenes of the Harry Potter movies were filmed. Along with these focal points, also cover the most famous landmarks in Oxford city and at Oxford University. Your private tour can be tailored to the specific locations or subjects you wish to cover. Just contact the operator in advance if you have anything specific in mind and they will do their best to incorporate anything that’s available to the public on the day (additional entrance fees may be required for such requests).

From London: Oxford Highlights Private Half-Day Guided Tour

6. From London: Oxford Highlights Private Half-Day Guided Tour

Take advantage of a 5-Star Guide and private transportation and visit to beautiful English destinations in only one day. Explore the must-see sights and hidden gems of Oxford and enhance your experience with sightseeing in the fairytale Cotswolds when you choose the extended option. Fall in love with the charms of representative towns and villages of England. Choose the 6-hour option to travel from London to Oxford for a private tour of the city. It is known as home of one of the world's most prestigious and elite university, the legendary Oxford Univerity. At almost 800 years old, it is the oldest university in the country. It boasts an impressive list of alumni that includes Prime Miniters and international leaders like Bill Clinton, scientists like Stephen Hawking, literary figures like Oscar Wilde and many more. Your Expert Guide will share all these interesting facts as you explore Oxford and its over 38 colleges, libraries and faculty buildings! Admire the remarkable Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera, the Trinity College and the Merton College, known to be one of the three oldest colleges in Oxford. Pass by the All Souls College, Hertford Collage and the Oriel College, which houses one most controversial statue in Oxford. Marvel at the impressive architetcure of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin and see other popular spots like the Divinity School, where many Hollywood films were filmed! Choose the 9-hour option to also discover the wonders of Cotswolds. During this extended tour yor Private Guide can share more interesting stories and folkflore. Experience the quaint atmosphere of a tranquil English countryside with beautiful green landscapes and honey-colored stone cottages. Visit the charming Bibury village, known as the prettiest village in all of England. See the iconic weavers cottages and hang around the Arlington Row. Another highlight will be Burford, also known as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’, which is almost unchanged from medieval times. In addition to sightseeing, you will have free time to do souvenir shopping or have lunch at a traditional English restaurant (at your own expense).

New: Oxford Costumed Ghost Tour In-Character

7. New: Oxford Costumed Ghost Tour In-Character

Prepare for the unexpected and keep your wits about you as you undertake one of the most entertaining experiences in Oxford. Home to some of the most brutal murders in England's long history, Oxford is uniquely known as the epicenter of troubled souls, dark energy, and flesh-eating beasts. Venture through the dark alleyways and haunted squares of the town while enjoying mysterious tales of ghosts, horror. and sinister happenings. Learn about Oxford’s terrifying history with a combination of stories and dramatic performances by expertly trained actors who will play out the most barbaric and brutal punishments exacted during Oxford's Medieval and Civil War years. Be prepared for the surprise appearance of multiple wild beasts! After an exhilarating and entertaining wander around the city, finish up at one of the famous pubs in Oxford.

Other Sightseeing Options in Merton College

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What people are saying about Merton College

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 1,565 reviews

We really enjoyed the walking tour of the University and city as our tour guide was really informative but at the same time made the tour fun. We would highly recommend the tour to friends, family or anyone visiting Oxford that would like to learn more about University and it’s history.

We enjoyed ourselves and the two hours went by very quickly. Fred gave us both historical background and current info that we wouldn’t have known if we hadn’t gone on the tour.

Highly recommend this tour, guide was great and enjoyed the commentary. Tour gives context to the buildings and bring the Oxford university story to life.

Charismatic and very knowledgeable! Superb! It was full of fun facts and a great overview of the famous sites.

Guide was extremely well informed and very articulate.