Exploring Oxford’s rich history and architectural wonders has never been easier. "A Guide to the City of Dreaming Spires" offers an immersive self-guided audio tour that allows visitors to uncover the city’s captivating tales at their own pace. From the iconic Carfax Tower to the awe-inspiring Bodleian Library, this flexible tour promises a personalized journey through the university town’s most renowned landmarks. With lifetime access and offline capabilities, travelers can explore Oxford’s enchanting past, discovering hidden gems and unlocking the secrets that have inspired generations of scholars and dreamers.
Good To Know
- This self-guided audio tour provides a flexible and immersive exploration of Oxford’s iconic landmarks, rich history, and captivating architecture.
- The tour is accessible through the VoiceMap app, offering offline capabilities and lifetime access to the audio content in English.
- The tour starts at the Carfax Tower, providing panoramic views, and winds through the city, ending at the Martyrs’ Memorial on Magdalen Street.
- Highlights of the tour include insights into Trinity College, the Bodleian Library, and the city’s distinguished alumni, such as former UK Prime Ministers.
- The tour is available year-round from 9/1/2022 to 12/7/2025, with the flexibility to start, pause, or restart at any time.
Tour Overview
The audio tour, titled "A Guide to the City of Dreaming Spires: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Oxford," is provided by VoiceMap Audio Tours.
It’s located in Oxford, England, and has a perfect 5.0 rating based on 2 reviews.
The tour offers lifetime access to the audio in English, with offline access to the maps and geodata through the VoiceMap app for Android and iOS.
It’s a private tour, so only your group participates.
The price starts from $11.99 per person, and it’s non-refundable with no cancellations allowed.
The tour covers key sights like the Carfax Tower, Trinity College, and the Martyrs’ Memorial.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Oxford.
Tour Features
The self-guided audio tour offers a number of features to enhance the Oxford experience.
With lifetime access to the tour in English, travelers can explore the city at their own pace using the VoiceMap app on Android or iOS devices. The offline access to audio, maps, and geodata ensures a seamless experience, even in areas with limited connectivity.
As a private tour, only your group participates, providing a more personalized experience. Priced from $11.99 per person, the tour is non-refundable, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Oxford explorer, this self-guided tour provides a comprehensive and flexible way to discover the city’s hidden gems.
Logistics
Carfax Tower, located on Queen Street, serves as the meeting point for this self-guided audio tour of Oxford.
From there, the tour winds its way through the city, culminating at the Martyrs’ Memorial on Magdalen Street.
The tour is available year-round, from 9/1/2022 to 12/7/2025, with 24/7 access.
Visitors can start, pause, or restart the tour at any time.
Be sure to confirm the starting time with the local provider in advance, as it may vary.
While transportation, food, and entry fees aren’t included, the self-guided nature of the tour allows for a flexible and personalized experience.
Tour Experience
With the VoiceMap app, users can embark on a truly self-guided audio tour of Oxford. The tour allows them to start, pause, or restart the experience at any time, providing a flexible and personalized experience.
Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading the app, ensuring a seamless beginning to the tour. Along the way, the audio guide offers insights into the city’s rich history and vibrant culture, including a visit to the renowned Trinity College.
This self-guided tour empowers visitors to explore Oxford at their own pace, seeing the city’s architectural wonders and captivating stories.
Exploring Oxford’s Iconic Sites
Embarking on the self-guided tour, visitors will uncover the city’s most iconic landmarks.
The tour begins at the Carfax Tower, offering panoramic views of Oxford’s dreaming spires.
Wandering through the winding streets, the audio guide provides insights into the city’s rich history and architecture, from the grand colleges of Oxford University to the Martyrs’ Memorial, a striking Gothic monument.
Along the way, travelers will learn about the town’s cultural significance, including a visit to Trinity College, home to the world-famous Bodleian Library.
With the self-guided format, guests can explore Oxford at their own pace, seeing its timeless charm and captivating past.
Discovering Trinity College
As the self-guided tour winds through the city’s charming streets, visitors arrive at the impressive gates of Trinity College. Founded in 1555, this historic institution boasts stunning architecture and a rich history.
The audio guide provides an insider’s look, highlighting the college’s picturesque quads, the 16th-century library, and the chapel’s intricate stone carvings. Guests learn about the college’s notable alumni, including former UK Prime Ministers, and gain a deeper appreciation for Oxford’s enduring academic traditions.
With the app’s map and directions, explorers can navigate the college grounds at their own pace, seeing the timeless atmosphere of this iconic Oxford landmark.
Planning Your Visit
Preparing for the self-guided tour is straightforward. First, download the VoiceMap app on your smartphone and purchase the tour. The app provides offline access to the audio, maps, and geodata, ensuring a seamless experience.
Next, plan your starting point at Carfax Tower and ending point at Martyrs Memorial. While the tour is self-guided, it’s best to confirm the start time with the local provider in advance.
The tour is available daily from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM, so you can explore Oxford at your own pace. Remember to dress comfortably, as the tour involves walking.
The Sum Up
The "Guide to the City of Dreaming Spires" is a must-have tool for anyone exploring Oxford. With its flexible audio tour, users can enjoy the city’s rich history and stunning architecture at their own pace. Lifetime access and offline capabilities make it an ideal companion for personalized discovery of this captivating destination. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer, this audio guide will elevate your experience of Oxford’s enchanting "dreaming spires".
More Guided Tours in Oxford
- Oxford: Ashmolean Museum Guided Tour with Art Historian
- Oxford: City and Universities Express Tour & Audio Guide
- Oxford: Private Guided Walking Tour of University and City
- Oxford: Historic Pubs & Taverns Guided Walking Tour
- From Oxford: Blenheim Palace Guided Tour
- Oxford: Jericho and Port Meadow Guided Walking Tour
More Tours in Oxford
More Tour Reviews in Oxford
Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Oxford we have reviewed
- Oxford Bike & Walking Tour: 3 hrs of City, Colleges & Canal.
- Oxford: Ashmolean Museum Guided Tour with Art Historian
- Oxford: Paddleboarding Tour with Lesson
- Oxford: Percy Jackson Inspired Adventure Tour of Oxford.
- Oxford: Sunset Cruise with a Glass of Prosecco
- Oxford: Town & Gown Walking Tour
- Oxford of Morse, Lewis and Endeavour
- Oxford University Walking Tour
- Harry Potter Private Tour New College & Divinity School
- Oxford: Christian Heritage Walking Tour
- Oxford Walking Tour: Magic, University & Harry Potter Sites
- Oxford: CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Tour