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Great British Heritage

The Story Of Oxford’s Colleges

Step behind college gates to uncover the spirit and traditions of Oxford. 

From vaulted libraries to dining halls and chapels, this tour traces centuries of scholarship through its most storied spaces, with time to explore the Ashmolean’s treasures, pause for cream tea in the heart of one of the university’s oldest colleges, and enjoy a private dinner at Trinity College.

The University of Oxford is the oldest University in the English-speaking world, with evidence of teaching dating back to 1096. Today it is one of the world’s most famous educational institutions and many tourists flock to the city to see its beautiful architecture and learn about its long history. 

Join Alastair Lack, member of the Oxford Guild of Guides and former Secretary of the Oxford University Society to explore the ‘city of dreaming spires’. 

From

£999

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts, one cream tea and two dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Two nights’ accommodation at the four-star Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room. 
  • Discover the Authentic Oxford
    Discover a tour of Christ Church and its cathedral, alongside a private dinner in the hall at Trinity College, New College, one of Oxford’s oldest and most prestigious, and the wonderful, newly-restored Ashmolean Museum.
  • Your Tour Manager
    Tour manager throughout.
  • Visits & Tours
    All talks, guided tours and entrances as detailed.
  • Transfers and touring
    Coach transfers as described in the itinerary.
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Day 1: Arrival and Introduction to the University of Oxford

Arrive from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and an introductory talk by Alastair Lack: ‘The history of the University of Oxford’.

Day 2: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Walking Tour and Trinity College Dinner

This morning we will visit the Ashmolean Museum to explore its diverse, world-famous collection of paintings, porcelain, silver and artefacts. The Ashmolean is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology, founded in 1683. This afternoon we will have a walking tour of Oxford’s most magnificent buildings, with entrance to a college where a guide will explain college life and customs.

Today’s touring ends at Exeter College where a cream tea will be included. 

Tonight a special evening awaits us at Trinity College – we will enjoy a private dinner with wine in the Dining Hall.

Day 3: Christ Church, New College and Oxford’s Collegiate Heritage

Today’s first visit is to Christ Church and its cathedral. Perhaps the grandest of all of Oxford’s colleges, Christ Church has turned out many a Prime Minister and also been much used as a film location. Next we have a guided tour of Duke Humfrey’s Library, the Bodleian’s magnificent medieval reading room, where soaring timbered ceilings, ancient manuscripts and centuries of scholarship create one of Oxford’s most atmospheric treasures.

This afternoon we will have a guided visit of New College, one of Oxford’s oldest and most prestigious. Founded in 1379, New College was the first to be built around a main quadrangle and is notable for its beautiful cloisters and chapel. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00.

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Date
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14/09/2026
Oxford
£999
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Solo Traveller Supplement From: £228
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House
Located in the tranquil surrounds of Oxford, only 10 minutes’ drive from the city centre, this four-star hotel is set among three acres of private gardens. Facilities include a bar, restaurant and refined bedrooms with modern amenities including TV, WIFI, hairdryer, safe, and tea and coffee making facilities. Complimentary parking is available at the hotel.

Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a demanding fitness rating and is designed for travellers who enjoy a more active pace of exploration. While it is not a walking holiday, you should expect busy days with extended periods on your feet and visits where conditions may be more varied. These may include uneven terrain, cobbled streets, archaeological sites, steep paths, steps, stairs, limited handrails or fewer opportunities to sit and rest.
 
A good level of fitness and mobility will help you enjoy the full experience of the itinerary. Please read the day-by-day itinerary carefully, as we highlight specific practical details wherever possible. This may include notes about ground conditions, stairs, walking distances, coach access or sites where lifts are not available.
 
If you have any questions about whether this tour is suitable for you, please contact our team before booking. We are always happy to talk through the itinerary and help you make the right choice.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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