Add dates

OxfordFamily-friendly activities

Our most recommended Oxford Family-friendly activities

London: Harry Potter Studio Tour and Oxford Day Trip

1. London: Harry Potter Studio Tour and Oxford Day Trip

Join a full-day bus trip from London which combines a trip to the Warner Bros Studio Tour 'The Making of Harry Potter' with a walking tour of Oxford University. Start your tour at the historic city of Oxford, home to England's oldest university. Enjoy a guided walking tour that takes you past famous college buildings, cloisters, quadrangles, and cobblestone squares. See the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre, and selected colleges. Enjoy free time to explore all that Oxford has to offer at your own pace. Continue to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and begin your magical experience at The Making of Harry Potter. Discover behind-the-scenes secrets and hear about the filmmaking techniques used to make the magic of the Harry Potter films. Visit the most recognizable set features from the films: the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office, the Gryffindor common room, the Ministry of Magic, 4 Privet Drive, the Weasley kitchen, Hogwarts Express, and Diagon Alley. Board the original Hogwarts Express train and see a recreation of Platform 9-3/4. Explore the interior train carriage set that was featured during filming and take a selfie with a luggage trolley as it disappears through the brick wall.

Oxford: Harry Potter Walking Tour Including New College

2. Oxford: Harry Potter Walking Tour Including New College

Meet your Oxford University student guide in central Oxford and head for the Hogwarts' Infirmary, set in one of the halls of the famous Bodleian Library. Imagine the infirmary’s beds in place here, and admire the richly sculpted beasts and biblical carvings that appeared in many of the Harry Potter movies. Next, explore one or two of Oxford’s oldest colleges, delving into the rooms and cloisters that featured as Hogwarts’ gloomy interior. See other filming locations and hear trivia about the characters and movie productions. Test your knowledge of all things Harry Potter with our custom quiz. Along the way, hear about Oxford’s influence in famous children’s literature, from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to The Hobbit. Finish with a tour of the exterior of Christ Church, whose hall was an inspiration and not the actual Dining Hall at Hogwarts.

From London: Day Trip to Harry Potter Studios and Oxford

3. From London: Day Trip to Harry Potter Studios and Oxford

Take a day trip from London and journey towards Warner Bros. Studio to take "The Making of Harry Potter" tour. Located in former aircraft hangars in Leavesden, the attraction recreates the magic of Harry Potter and all your favorite characters. Then, visit Oxford and explore the Divinity School. Board the original "Hogwarts Express" train at a recreation of Platform 9¾, and explore the inside of the train carriage featured in the films. Take a selfie with a luggage trolley as it disappears through the station's brick wall. The studio staff will reveal the behind-the-scenes secrets and unveil the intricate prosthetics and make-up that transformed actors into creatures in blockbuster films. See sets from the original movies, and get a peek inside the college of Hogwarts during the 4-hour studio tour. Journey through attractions such as The Great Hall, Gryffindor Common, Hagrid's Hut, the Weasleys' kitchen, and the Ministry of Magic. Take a tour of the backlot and a special effects tour, see a model of Hogwarts Castle, and much more. Depart the Studios and journey to Oxford to explore the real college buildings, including the medieval Divinity School. Upon arrival in the university city founded in 1167, take a guided tour of the historical center and admire some of the most famous college buildings, cloisters, and quadrangles. Delve down alleyways and into chapels, look inside dining halls and across cobblestone squares under the shadows of the legendary "dreaming spires." Enter the hallowed heartland of academia, including the Bodleian Library, Radcliff Camera, Sheldonian Theatre, and other select colleges.

Oxford: Harry Potter Film Locations Tour with Oxford Alumni

4. Oxford: Harry Potter Film Locations Tour with Oxford Alumni

Explore the world's the oldest-English-speaking university on a guided tour. See the filming locations for the Harry Potter movies and other blockbusters. Learn about Oxford University and its relationship to the world of entertainment. Find out about Oxford's connection to J.K. Rowling and other celebrities. Visit the spots where major Marvel movies were filmed. Explore the New College and Divinity School and see some of the influences on the Harry Potter universe.

Oxford: Harry Potter Tour with Divinity School Entry

5. Oxford: Harry Potter Tour with Divinity School Entry

Follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and other characters from the Harry Potter movies. J.K. Rowling applied to study at Oxford University and so she was familiar with Oxford. When they were producing the films, Rowling walked the producers around Oxford, pointing out various sights which they could use, such as the statue that looks like 'Nearly Headless Nick', and Turf Tavern Lane, which looks like Knockturn Alley. This tour showcases where the Harry Potter movies were filmed in Oxford. It includes entry to the Divinity School film site, where they filmed the classroom, dance, and infirmary scenes. You will be passing the city's famous sights and colleges from the outside. You will also be provided with lots of insights about the actors, the producers and about JK Rowling's inspirations. As you walk around, you will take part in a Harry Potter quiz to test your knowledge of the books and films. The guide will also describe how student life in Oxford compares with Hogwarts.

Oxford Treasure Hunt: The Mystery of the Bullingdon Burglar

6. Oxford Treasure Hunt: The Mystery of the Bullingdon Burglar

The legendary Oxford mystery... unsolved for 50 years... until now. Start your adventure at the historic Chequers tavern, and embark on a quest to unravel Oxford's unsolved mystery of The Bullingdon Burglar! In 1972, Oxford’s annual Town Vs Gown cricket cup ended in disaster, when a mysterious burglar broke into the clubhouse and snatched the golden trophy… Was it an act of revenge? Nobody knew... But the villain left a trail of clues and this is where you come in. The pages of your Mystery Guide™ take you on an exciting puzzle adventure through the heart of historic Oxford, as you follow the maps, unlock the clues, and unravel the epic tale. Your challenge is to track down hidden objects, decode symbols, and uncover hidden messages, as you eliminate suspects and gradually unpick the crime. And an exciting twist awaits… Make it to the end and you'll be struck by an amazing ‘wow’ moment when the case is solved and the villain is revealed before your eyes! Simply grab your Mystery Guide™, head to the start, and set off at a time that suits you. Don’t let the villain get away... Your time to start is now!

Oxford: Harry Potter Tour with New College & Divinity School

7. Oxford: Harry Potter Tour with New College & Divinity School

Enter the magical world of Harry Potter, visit the filming locations of New College and Divinity School, and learn interesting facts and trivia from your guide during this Oxford tour experience. Get transported to the beloved fiction universe that surrounds Oxford. Escape into the Harry Potter universe as you visit their filming locations in Oxford along with an expert guide. Walk by the New College cloisters and see where Malfoy was turned into a ferret by Mad-Eye Moody in 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.' Visit the Divinity School, used as Hogwarts' hospital wing in several Harry Potter movies. Remember the scene where Harry has to stay overnight to regrow his bones after Professor Lockhart removes them all? That was filmed right here. On any dates when the New College cloister (the actual film site) is closed, the tour will run but not include access to the cloister. Additionally, on any dates when Divinity School is closed, you'll visit an additional college instead (not a film site).

Oxford: Bike Tour with Local Guide

8. Oxford: Bike Tour with Local Guide

Do a cycling tour in Oxford and allow a guide to share their knowledge of the city with you. Pick up your bike in the city center, then set off on your tour. Pass by the world-famous university, take in views of churches and historic buildings, then visit the countryside for views over the Thames. Begin your tour by meeting your guide at a bike store in the center of Oxford. Choose your bike and adjust it so that it is comfortable for your tour. Add a child’s seat if necessary. Set off into the quaint streets of Oxford, listening to your guide give you an introduction to the city as you go. Cycle amongst dreamy spires, the students’ colleges and university departments. Hear about the history of this world-famous educational institute. Next, escape the hustle and bustle of the city center into the surrounding countryside, riding alongside the River Thames in Port Meadow. Visit a total of 11 carefully selected tourist attractions. Make stops along the way to listen to your guide explain each one, ask questions, and take photos. Once the tour is over, enjoy a gentle cycle back through the city to the bike store to return your bike.

Wizarding Oxford Tour: Follow in Harry Potter’s Footsteps

9. Wizarding Oxford Tour: Follow in Harry Potter’s Footsteps

Embark on a magical adventure with our Wizarding Oxford Tour and follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter! Our tour takes you to three enchanting locations: New College, the Divinity School, and the Bodleian Library. At New College, explore the same walls that were featured in the films and uncover the secrets of this breathtaking location. The Divinity School served as the infirmary in the movies, where Harry and his friends practiced their magical skills. And at the Bodleian Library, immerse yourself in the wizarding world and relive your favorite scenes. Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of Harry Potter on our unforgettable tour. Join us now and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Oxford: Self Guided City Walk and Interactive Treasure Hunt

10. Oxford: Self Guided City Walk and Interactive Treasure Hunt

Go Quest Adventures is turning the streets of Oxford into an Adventure Playground! Welcome to Oxford, the city of Dreaming Spires! Named the most beautiful city in the UK by a recent study, this is a place immersed in culture and history (with over 1500 historic listed buildings), home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world and a place renowned for its friendly and lively atmosphere. It’s no wonder so many have been inspired by its beauty. Explore the streets of Oxford and unlock a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles & completing challenges, earning points along the way all self-guided through the Go Quest Adventures app. See the area's highlights, explore it's hidden gems and learn some insider history and fun facts along the way (even locals will discover something new!). As the Quest is self guided you can: * Start your Quest whenever you want, get instant access with nothing to print off from home * Go as fast as you want and try to top the leaderboard, or go at your own pace, stopping for rest breaks along the way. Your Quest will start in the historic medieval centre of the city and wind your team through its iconic streets before leading you through the grounds of some of the University of Oxford’s most famous colleges, nipping in and out of small alleyways to end at the historic Oxford Castle and Prison. During your Quest learn about Town & Gown clashes, discover where C.S. Lewis may have found some inspiration, see if you can spot J.R.R. Tolkien's ghost and visit where former US President Clinton ‘didn’t inhale’ all while dodging students on bicycles rushing about. So grab your caps & gowns, put on some comfy shoes and get ready to explore the sights, discover hidden gems and ultimately, conquer your Oxford City Centre Quest! This is an ideal outdoor activity for couples, families, groups of friends, school groups and can be the perfect team building or corporate activity. Customised Quests and group packages are available by emailing hello@goquestadventures.com. Get Questing today!

12 activities found
Sort by:

You might also like...

Unmissable attractions

Frequently asked questions about Oxford Family-friendly activities

What are other things to do than Family-friendly activities that are worth visiting in Oxford?

Other Sightseeing Options in Oxford

Want to discover all there is to do in Oxford? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Oxford

Excellent service. Was really pleased. One side note though, make sure that guest understands and respects the time schedule. We had to wait for about 20 minutes at the parking lot for some guess who did not respect the departure time. Then, when we eventually left to go to the next sight, we then had to drive back an extra 15 minutes(one way) to go back and pick up the same guests who did not comply with the agreed departure time.

Amazing your that combines Harry Potter with Oxford history. Our tour guide was so sweet! She even helped us getting tickets for the Christ Church at the end of the tour. Pacing was good and there were several quizzes during the tour. I feel like I got to know a lot about Oxford after this. Recommended!

The tour was truly wonderful. Our guide was so pleasant, friendly and helpful. Everyone involved went above and beyond to make the day a very pleasant experience. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this to anyone wanting to experience the Harry Potter Studios and Oxford!

The tour was really nice, and the services (transport, guide, etc.) were excellent. Would recommend to anyone interested in the studios and the city of Oxford.

Loves every minute! Monique was really fun, and knew EVERYTHING about HP