If you’re looking to get into the spirit of Halloween this year, the Oxford Ghost Tour is the place to be for a spine-tingling experience that’s sure to raise your spirits! Running for three thrilling nights starting on Thursday 31st October, this tour offers a unique and eerie glimpse into Oxford’s haunted past, blending history and horror in the most fang-tastic way.
Oxford, famous for its prestigious university and centuries-old buildings, has a darker side that few dare to explore. But for those brave enough to step into the shadows, the Oxford Ghost Tour will reveal tales of hauntings, executions, and all the ghastly goings-on that have left their mark on the city’s cobbled streets. Led by a guide dressed in authentic cavalier attire, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a different era, where ghosts are very much part of the present!
Clarisse Garcia, Retail and Tourism Manager at CitySightseeing Oxford, promises a tour that is both frightening and fun:
Our ghost tours have been a monster hit since their launch, and this year will be no different. While everyone is familiar with the modern foundations of our great city, not everyone is aware of its spooky past.
From haunting stories of executions and sightings of ghosts which patrol our cobblestone streets and buildings, our tour reveals all. While bringing some fright to your evening, our tour is entirely family-friendly and suitable for children in search of some Halloween-based fun. Three tours will be operated this year with space available on a first come first served basis so book it now to avoid disappointment!
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, added:
The Oxford Ghost Tour has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2021.
We’re privileged to operate in a city with so much history attached to its world-famous streets and buildings and our team really bring this to life through their detailed knowledge and enthusiasm of Oxford’s past, good and bad!
Halloween provides the perfect excuse to learn more about Oxford’s gruesome history and experience the spooky side of the city we all supposedly know so well.
Visitors will be whisked through Oxford’s most haunted locations, where you’ll hear bone-chilling tales of ghostly apparitions and mysterious events. You might even have a close encounter with some of the city’s most infamous spectres! But don’t worry, this tour is entirely family-friendly, so even the little ghouls in your life can join in on the spooky fun.
The tour kicks off on Halloween night, but if you can’t make it then, you’ll have two more chances to experience the frights on Friday 1st November and Saturday 2nd November. Tours begin at 5:30 PM from CitySightseeing Oxford’s Visitor Information Centre. Book your tickets now, as spaces are going faster than a ghost through a wall!
And the frightful fun doesn’t end there! The CitySightseeing Oxford Bus Tour will also get a Halloween makeover, with tour guide Andrew Pritchard offering passengers a frighteningly fun take on Oxford’s history during the day. Make sure to hop on for a haunting good time at 10:55 AM and 1:55 PM.
🎃 Don’t Ghost this Event!
- Dates: Thursday 31st October, Friday 1st November, Saturday 2nd November
- Time: 5:30 PM
- Location: Starts at CitySightseeing Oxford’s Visitor Information Centre
- Tickets: Available online at citysightseeingoxford.com
So, whether you’re after a good scare or just want to learn more about the city’s spooky past, this ghost tour promises a howling good time. It’s an Oxford experience you’ll never forget—unless the ghosts decide to erase your memory!👻
Oxford Ghost Stories
Oxford is home to a number of spine-chilling ghost stories that add a spooky layer to the city’s rich history. Here are a few of the most popular ghostly tales:
The Headless Ghost of King Charles I: After his execution during the English Civil War, it’s said that King Charles I haunts the grounds of Christ Church College, sometimes appearing without his head. He loved Oxford, which served as a royalist stronghold during the war, and his spirit is believed to return to the city he once considered a refuge
The Ghost of Sir Thomas Bodley: The Bodleian Library isn’t just a hub of knowledge, it’s also home to the ghost of Sir Thomas Bodley, the library’s founder. Sightings of his spirit carrying a stack of books and disappearing into walls have been reported, along with eerie cold spots and whispers heard by visitors
The White Lady of St. John’s College: The ghost of a woman dressed in white is said to roam the grounds of St. John’s College. Her tragic death has left a lasting imprint, with students and staff reporting cold sensations and sightings of her forlorn figure
The Sheldonian Theatre: Christopher Wren, the famous architect of the Sheldonian Theatre, is believed to haunt the building he designed. Visitors have reported shadowy figures and unexplained footsteps echoing through the halls
These stories, along with tales from Oxford Castle & Prison and the Covered Market, make Oxford one of the most haunted cities in England. Making a Halloween visit ideal for any history enthusiast or ghost hunter to discover Oxford’s eerie past full of intrigue and mystery.
