Guide #59335
After completing my BA (Hons) in Art History and History at Oxford Brookes University, I moved to France, where I spent over 20 years restoring a medieval château and welcoming guests from around the world. In 2009, I co-founded a highly acclaimed tour company, offering seamless multi-day experiences that combined historic sites, handpicked accommodation, and exceptional guiding. I now bring those same skills and passion to my work in Oxford. Returning to Oxford felt like a natural continuation of my work with travellers. The city offers a captivating window into the past, with its rich collection of artefacts, stories, and architecture all within easy reach. The University, its colleges, and the city together offer a unique opportunity to explore British history in one of its most beautiful settings. My tours are often described as 'surprising and insightful.' Areas of expertise include art history, the English Civil War, literary tours (notably Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien), and religious history in Oxford. Popular destinations include colleges, Radcliffe Square, and the Bodleian Library. As a member of the Oxford Guild of Guides, I can arrange access to colleges not usually open to the public and am one of the few guides accredited to lead tours inside Christ Church. Tours can typically accommodate groups of up to 19 participants, though some sites may have smaller group limits. Outside of guiding, I enjoy theatre, travel, and writing. I recently published my first book about rural France. Associate of the Institute of Tourist Guiding Member of the Guild of Guides Co-founder of Cathar Country Tours (Langue d’Oc, France) BA (Hons) in Art History and History, Oxford Brookes University Certified to guide in French If your preferred date isn’t showing as available, feel free to get in touch. As an Oxford resident, I love creating custom tours tailored to specific interests and schedules.
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46 reviews
Entertaining. Informative, particularly if one has a special interest in late 19th and early 20th century English literature. Excellent history of the colleges of Oxford. Good history of England and its evolution since 1066. Three hours well spent.
Very personalised experience done very well. I am writing a drawer novel, with the main character from Oxford. Sophie read my pages and then put in extra effort to anticipate my interests. Also, I have walking issues, managing with a cane , and she was patient with my efforts to keep up. She supplied suggestions of Oxford-based editors I could use to further my hobby...
Sophie is a great guide, extremely knowledgeable. However this was expensive for a four hour tour, where we had to buy our own tickets to the Bodelian. If you are there in the summer when colleges are on break, not sure if you'd see more or less.
We had an informative and excellent walking tour with Sophie. Our time was limited and Sophie carefully edited to our interests and questions. A broad swath of history was curated into some key points. We would highly recommend Sophie's tour. Should we return, we would seek her out again.