The Museum of Oxford (MOX) has officially launched its exciting new season of guided city history walks, running throughout spring and summer 2025. Featuring quirky tales, hidden histories, and a handful of brand new themed tours, the programme offers a fresh perspective on the city for both visitors and locals alike.
Running on selected Wednesdays and Saturdays from April to September, the walks are led by expert local historians and researchers, revealing often-overlooked corners of Oxford’s past, from radical uprisings and LGBTQIA+ heritage to food history and forgotten retail landmarks.
New for 2025: Celebrating 50 Years of MOX
To mark the Museum’s 50th anniversary, three newly curated walks have been added to the lineup:
- Oxford’s Queer History – A compelling exploration of LGBTQIA+ stories in Oxford, from student societies and activism to legendary venues and personal histories.
- Shakespeare and Oxford – A dramatic tour through Elizabethan and Jacobean Oxford, revealing its connections to the Bard and including exclusive access to a Tudor painted bedroom.
- The Lost Shops of Oxford – A nostalgic walk down memory lane exploring former shops and shopping streets of the city centre through the decades.
Returning Favourites: Alternative Oxford Uncovered
Popular returning walks include:
- Oxford’s Rebels and Radicals – Discover the city’s secret subversive side, from medieval protests to anti-fascist movements.
- Canal, Castle and Convicts – A scenic route through Oxford’s industrial and judicial history.
- Pre-Raphaelite Adventures in Oxford – Delve into the art, beauty, and bohemian influence of the Pre-Raphaelites in the city.
- The Lost Streets of St Ebbe’s
- Beer, Sausages and Marmalade – A food history tour led by acclaimed historian Liz Woolley.
- Victorian Leisure and Entertainment – An immersive tour of Oxford’s historic music halls, cinemas, and places of pleasure.
Upcoming Highlights
| Date | Tour | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 19 April | Inside the Oxford Town Hall | 11:00 – 12:00 |
| 19 April | An Oxford Night Out | 13:00 – 14:00 |
| 19 April | Oxford’s Queer History | 14:00 – 15:30 |
| 23 April | Shakespeare and Oxford | 14:00 – 15:30 |
| 3 May | An Oxford Night Out | 13:00 – 14:00 |
| 3 May | Oxford’s Rebels and Radicals | 14:00 – 16:00 |
| 7 May | Canal, Castle and Convicts | 14:00 – 15:30 |
| 8 May | Introduction to Oxford’s Past | 13:00 – 14:00 |
| 10, 17, 26 April 10 & 17 May | Inside the Oxford Town Hall | 11:00 – 12:00 |
Plan Your Visit
- Dates: Selected Wednesdays and Saturdays, April–September 2025
- Tickets: £15 per person
- Booking: Available online or at the Museum of Oxford Gift Shop
- Starting Point: Museum of Oxford, inside Oxford Town Hall
“These walks aren’t your typical textbook tours,” says the team at MOX. “They offer bold, sometimes unexpected stories that showcase the city’s depth, diversity, and character through new lenses.”
Whether you’re a lifelong local or a first-time visitor, the Museum of Oxford Walks provide a fascinating and often surprising insight into the people, politics, and places that have shaped the city.
Find Out More
Website: museumofoxford.org/tours/
Social Media: Follow @MuseumOfOxford for updates and bookings.
