Private tour in Oxford Stephen R

Oxford's Medieval Murder Trail

-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Stephen R.

5.0

Guide rating

41

Reviews

Tours delivered

23 hrs

Avg. response time

Hi from Oxford… or the city of the dreaming spires, as it is sometimes called. I'm originally from Dublin, Ireland and have also lived in America, Canada and other parts of England before settling in Oxford to raise a family. Perhaps I love it so much here because I'm a bit of a dreamer too, and work as a scriptwriter when I'm not doing tours. I enjoy film, literature, getting into the countryside, playing tennis and spending time with my three children. They keep me fit! When I'm not writing or running a tour, I volunteer for a local Oxford mental health charity. I took up Tour Guiding in Oxford two years ago while on a full-time Master's Degree here. I thought it would be a nice way to supplement my tuition fees and work on my storytelling… but being a tour guide has become so much more than that. This is an inspiring part of the world and on my tours, I get to convey to you a sense of its unique history and culture. So many famous men and women have passed through the hallowed halls of Oxford University. We get to walk in their footsteps. I am drawn to the famous Oxonians of the arts - literary greats, poets, playwrights, filmmakers. Many of my customers comment on how visiting Oxford is like being on the set of a movie. The city and university are all quite localized, on foot, two wheels or four, it's all good, I'll have you feeling like a local within a day. I enjoy learning more about where you come from, just as much as I enjoy telling you about Oxford. You'll experience a place steeped in history, and I'll be able to tell you a good story or two along the way. Then there's the lesser-known facts, monuments and legends that await us, just off the tourist route. I can adjust any tour to give you that unique experience. We will all be locals at the end of the day. I can't wait to show you around. Royal College of Arts Master's Degree. First Aider. Mental Health First Aider. Full DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check clearance. Full UK Driver's Licence. No restrictions

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Stephen R.

Overview of your Oxford tour

Believe it or not, Oxford was the murder capital of late medieval England! And had a murder rate 50 times higher than 21st Century English cities. You won't find this in the guide books! Lean how a "deadly mix of conditions" contributed to the high homicide rate. We will retrace the steps and recount the stories of some of these murders. 75% of the perpetrators and 72% of the victims were associated with the university. Oxford's student population was by far the most lethally violent social or professional group in any of England's cities. Fear not, it's not all macabre. We will cover many of Oxford Universty's wonderful highlights along the route.

Your Oxford tour itinerary

·Starting from Jericho, we can divide our walking route into two stages. ·Stage one highlights include: -The Oxford University Press -The Radcliffe Observatory -St Giles -The Eagle and Child Pub -The Oxford Martyrs Memorial -The Ashmolean Museum -Balliol College -The Sheldonian Theatre -Bridge of Sighs -The Bodleian Library Coffee/Snack break. - New College - Magdalen College - Merton College - Christ Church College - The College Boat Houses - The River Thames This tour can always be customized to best meet your preferences.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

On foot.

What's included
Other: Tourist map.
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Flexable

  • You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Off The Beaten Path
Art And Culture
Tour reference number
1302951
Languages
English
Activity level
Light

Frequently asked questions

Who is this private tour in Oxford best suited for?

This private tour in Oxford is perfect for those who are intrigued by history, particularly the darker and more mysterious aspects of medieval times. It's also ideal for travellers who enjoy walking tours and want to explore the historical and academic highlights of Oxford with a knowledgeable local guide like Stephen R. The tour is suitable for individuals, families, or small groups up to 8 people who are looking for a unique and engaging experience.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Oxford be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
Explore more of Oxford
From Oxford: Undiscovered Cotswolds TourFrom Oxford: Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace Private TourWelcome to Oxford: 2hr tourCotswolds Day Trip2.5 -Hour Tour – An Architectural and Historical Journey Through Oxford, with a Touch of Fantasy Featuring J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. LewisOxford Experience - City Highlights Walking Tour2 hour Fantasy literature - CS Lewis, Tolkien and Carroll and their work. Why Oxford?6 hours - Introduction to University historical and architectural highlights including a visit inside the Bodleian Library and a Medieval University College Historic Oxford - the City and University that has shaped British, and world, history.The best of Oxford: half-day tourBlenheim Palace experence Oxford: Town and Gown Private Walking Tour4 hours Christ Church Hall and Cathedral, Bodleian library with University's architectural and historic highlights 3 hours Magdalen, CS Lewis and the Botanic Gardens - JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis with Magdalen CollegeIvory Towers and Dreaming Spires - The University of Oxford History & Science Tour2 hour - Christ Church plus Oxford's Architectural and historical HighlightsOxford University, past and present.Oxford to Stonehenge - Prehistoric Day Tour'Town versus Gown' : discover Oxford University historyOxford Walking Tour: Books, Beasts and BardsHarry Potter tour, visiting filming locationsTolkien, Lewis and the Inklings' OxfordLiterary OxfordSouthampton Cruise Port to Stonehenge and Oxford - Full Day Tour2 Hour - Introduction to Oxford's Architectural and Historical Highlights - including Christ ChurchCastles and Grand Stately Homes90 minutes Just Christ Church - Inside the college founded by Thomas Wolsey & King Henry VIII - of Harry Potter fame 4 hours Oxford cityDiscover Blenheim Palace with Seamless Planning and GuidanceHarry Potter, facts versus fiction90 minutes - Introduction to Oxford's Architectural and Historical Highlights - including a Medieval college90 minutes - Historical tour and orientation to the university, colleges and city of Oxford: - Includes includes a look inside a Medieval CollegeExploring Oxford architectureUnique Views of Oxford - Half Day Walking Tour3 hours Architectural and Literary and religious History of Oxford, with C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien,2 hours - Arts and stained glass - including stunning medieval collegeArt-lovers' Oxford tour: half dayCuriouser and Curiouser: Alice in Wonderland tourFull day Oxford & the Cotswolds by Bentley motor car and an evening of Shakespeare at Stratford upon Avon's TheatreThe wonders of Christ Church2 hours - Oxford Women Past and Present