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Stories of Oxford tours
21 March @ 1.00pm to 1.45pm
About Stories of Oxford tours
These guided tours are led by a dedicated volunteer team and will give you an introduction to the people and stories of Oxford.
The guides will take you on their personalised highlights tour around the Museum, lasting 30 to 45 minutes, with time for questions at the end.
From football to fairgrounds, marmalade to Morris Motors, patron saints to pubs, barges, bones, and all types of quirky customs — there’s something for everyone in the stories of Oxford and its people.
Meet in the Museum of Oxford’s Gift Shop, inside the Oxford Town Hall.
Each tour has a capacity of 10 people.
There are several topics to choose from as follows:
A history of Oxford in 6 objects
Always wanted to know about our city? Come and listen to a guide take you from Saxon times to the present day. The guide will use six objects to explain Oxford’s history, including the city origins, the city and the University, the English Civil War, literary Oxford, scientific Oxford and industrial Oxford.
An introduction to Oxford’s past
What is it that is unique about Oxford? The city is well known around the world. This tour identifies some of the features that have made the city so special.
From the Saxon period when the city was already an important settlement, through the development of the university, the important role played by the city in the English Civil Wars, to more recent features such as the growth of the car industry under the leadership of William Morris, the Covered Market and the important literary figures linked to the city, the tour will give you an insight which should stimulate interest in finding out more.
The Museum is an ideal starting point for you to discover Oxford’s amazing past.
Artisan Oxford: Arts, Crafts, and Creations
What connects James Bond’s favourite breakfast with the South Pole? How did a small Oxford boutique become the “Holy Grail” of fashion? Encompassing cutting-edge design, folk frivolities, and extremely rare architecture, (not the spire kind); Oxford Arts is unique. Explore our city’s rich creative heritage through a hand-picked selection of artisan objects.
Oxford Night Out
Since medieval times Oxford has been famous for its vibrant social and cultural scene, making it one of the best places for a night out in the UK. In this tour, we will explore four aspects of a night out in Oxford through the ages: pubs, music venues, cinema and theatre, and St. Giles Fair, highlighting topics of celebrity, disorder, and hygiene. It is hoped that you can join what promises to be an exciting and, at times, surprising, tour.
The Oxford Story
This tour will explore the stories of the city, and the city of stories. This includes Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Oxford’s cinemas, and Oxford as a film location and place of inspiration for stories.
This Talented Town
A mixture of Oxford city specialities, this tour will highlight the achievements of some of the extraordinary people from this spectacular town.
Access
The Museum is accessible for wheelchair users, buggies, and baby carriers. There is step-free, level entry access to the Town Hall via the entrance closest to Carfax (to the left of the main steps as you face the Town Hall). Inside the Museum, Museum Makers is accessible via a platform lift and lift to the basement level. Accessible toilets are available in the Museum (close to Museum Makers) and in the Town Hall on the ground floor, before entering the Museum.
Please contact the Museum team if you’d like to talk to a member of staff about your access requirements. Further access information can be found on the website: https://museumofoxford.org/plan-your-visit/access
Tickets
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
Ticket prices:
£5.00
Tickets are available to purchase online (including a £1.04 fee) or at the Museum shop. Tickets for this event include access to the Museum’s Galleries.
Dates & times:
Saturday 21 March 2026 at 1.00pm
Running time:
30 to 45 minutes
Age guidance:
12+
Good to know:
Please be aware that photographs will be taken at this event for use in marketing. If you (or a member of your group) would prefer not to be photographed, please let a member of staff know during the event.
About Museum of Oxford
The Museum of Oxford is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of Oxford and its people. Located inside the Oxford Town Hall, it explores the city’s rich history beyond the university, focusing on the lives, industries, and communities that have shaped Oxford over time.
The museum features interactive exhibits, local artefacts, and personal stories, covering topics such as Oxford’s medieval origins, its diverse communities, and key moments in its development. It also hosts temporary exhibitions, events, and activities for all ages.
