OXFORD GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
In the Footsteps of Faith: A Two‑Hour Private Walk Through Oxford’s Christian History
A private, two-hour guided exploration of Oxford’s Christian heritage—visiting the Divinity School and New College—led by a recent University of Oxford philosophy and theology graduate.
In the Footsteps of Faith: A Two‑Hour Private Walk Through Oxford’s Christian History.
Walk the compact streets and cloistered courts of Oxford with a guide who trained here: a recent Oxford BA in Philosophy and Theology leads this intimate, two‑hour private tour that traces a thousand years of Christian life, learning, and controversy in the city.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Medieval teaching rooms and collegiate chapels
See some of England’s most celebrated ecclesiastical and academic interiors: the Divinity School—one of the oldest purpose‑built teaching rooms in the world—and New College with its 14th‑century cloisters, chapel and dining hall are included on the route.
Sites of reform, trial and revival
The tour moves through places tied to pivotal moments in Western Christianity—from the execution site marked by the Martyrs’ Cross to the University Church where Thomas Cranmer was tried and where figures such as C. S. Lewis and the Wesley brothers preached.
Theology then and now
Led by a recent Oxford theology graduate, the walk puts the city’s buildings in intellectual context: the development of the medieval university, the Oxford Movement, and the modern study of theology are all available focuses for the private tour.
What the day feels like
What the two‑hour private tour feels like
This is a close‑read of Oxford’s Christian past delivered on foot: a private guide narrates a condensed sweep of religious, architectural, and academic history as you move between churches, colleges and libraries—entering both the Divinity School and New College—over a roughly two‑hour walk.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this private tour suits best—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The private tour runs for two hours; the listed meeting location is outside St Michael at the North Gate, Cornmarket St, Oxford OX1 3EY, UK.
The tour includes entry into the Divinity School and New College; on rare occasions either venue may be unavailable, in which case an alternative or a refund for the college entry will be provided.
There are public bathrooms approximately half an hour into the route (Western Library) and in New College.
Tours can be tailored to focus on subjects such as the medieval university, the Reformation, the Wesley brothers, Newman and the Oxford Movement, or Lewis and Tolkien—note preferences when booking.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Will we get to go inside anywhere on this tour?
Yes. The tour includes entry into the Divinity School and New College. If New College and/or the Divinity School become unexpectedly unavailable, an alternative or a refund equal to the ticket value for the affected college will be provided.
Can this tour be expanded to include sites connected to C. S. Lewis and Tolkien?
Yes—mention your interest when booking and the guide will show places associated with Lewis and Tolkien; New College can be swapped for Magdalen College to follow Lewis’s fellowships. The guide also offers a dedicated C. S. Lewis and Tolkien tour and a combined C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and Christian History tour (links available from the operator).
Can the tour incorporate Harry Potter filming locations?
Yes. Both the Divinity School and New College feature in Harry Potter filming and can be included as part of the Christian History tour—note this interest when booking.
Are there bathrooms on route?
Yes. There are bathrooms in the Western Library roughly halfway through the route and in New College.
Who leads the tour and what is their background?
The tour is led by Rory, a recent University of Oxford graduate (BA Philosophy and Theology, 2020–2023), who designs the route and commentary around Christian history in Oxford.
How do I contact the guide for special requests or bookings?
You can contact the guide at [email protected] for questions about tailoring the tour or combining it with other themed walks.