Museum of Oxford Walks: Beer, Sausages and Marmalade
04 July @ 11.00am to 12.30pm
About Museum of Oxford Walks: Beer, Sausages and Marmalade
This 90-minute walk led by local historian Liz Woolley will take you on a tantalising tour of the quirky world of food and drink in 19th-century Oxford.
From the ‘Celebrated Oxford Sausage’ to Frank Cooper’s famous ‘Oxford Marmalade’, Liz will expertly guide you through locations associated with Oxford’s unique food and drink heritage.
Find out how Oxford’s eponymous delicacies went hand-in-hand with the city’s growing importance as a desirable tourist destination as you visit sites including Morrell’s Lion Brewery, the 250-year-old Covered Market and some iconic pubs.
You’ll also discover the city’s long history of malting and brewing, and how this important trade contributed to Oxford’s burgeoning industrial economy. Find out how the significant families which controlled these businesses influenced Oxford’s developing economic, social and political life.
Join a Beer, Sausages and Marmalade walking tour to see Oxford through the eyes of an expert and discover the unique food heritage embedded in the heart of Oxford.
As part of the tour, you will see: Frank Cooper’s Marmalade Factory, the old Swan Brewery malthouse, the street that was once described as a ‘dreadful sort of place’ – and more historic Oxford locations.
Accessibility and further information
Meeting point: Museum of Oxford shop (located inside the Oxford Town Hall). Please arrive 5 minutes before the start of the walk and check in at the Museum Shop with our friendly front-of-house team.
The walk lasts 1.5 hours.
The itinerary includes cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, and narrow pavements. One of the stops involves going through Whatsheaf Yard which is very narrow and has an uneven surface. An alternative route to the next stop is available through St Aldate’s. Please email museum@oxford.gov.uk if you would like to discuss any access requirements ahead of booking a walk.
Meet your tour guide: Liz Woolley
Liz Woolley is a local historian specialising in the history of Oxford’s ‘town’ – as opposed to ‘gown’ – and of the everyday lives of ordinary working people, chiefly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Liz has lived in Oxford for forty years and has an MSc in English Local History from the University’s Department for Continuing Education. She is an experienced tour guide, speaker, tutor, researcher, and writer, who enjoys helping people discover the perhaps less well-known history of Oxford and its citizens.
Access at the Museum
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:
£15.00
Tickets are available to purchase online or at the Museum shop.
Dates & times:
- Saturday 11 April 2026 at 11.00am
- Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 2.00pm
- Saturday 04 July 2026 at 11.00am
- Wednesday 12 August 2026 at 2.00pm
- Wednesday 23 September 2026 at 2.00pm
Running time:
1 hour 30 minutes
Age guidance:
16+
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.
