Rome Toolkit 
Paris Toolkit Christ Church Oxford
Largest College of Oxford University
Christ Church is the largest college of the University of Oxford in England. It owes much of its size and importance to Henry VIII who in 1532 found it as King Henry VIII's College. For a king it had to be bigger and grander than the other colleges.
Henry VIII as part of the reorganisation of the Church of England in the 16th century made Christ Church the cathedral of the then recently created diocese of Oxford. Today Christ Church is still the largest of Oxford's colleges.
Today many people know Christ Church, Oxford more for its literary connections, including Harry Potter and Lewis Carroll.
Christ Church Harry Potter & Lewis Carroll Book Harry Potter walking tour Opening times Getting to Christ Church BOOK Oxford University walking tours Oxford and Cambridge Tour
Christ Church Oxford, Harry Potter and Lewis Carroll
Christ Church is popular today as a visitor attraction partly because of its links with Harry Potter and Lewis Carroll.
Harry Potter in Oxford
Many of the scenes in the Harry Potter feature films are shot in various locations of the College.
As you walk around the cloisters and quadrangles scenes from the films will come alive. The Great Hall was replicated in the film studios to create Hogwarts Hall.
We have a separate page detailing some of the places to visit in London and Oxford related to Harry Potter.
Lewis Carroll in Oxford
In 1851, Charles Dodgson came to Christ Church to study mathematics. He spent the rest of his life at Oxford as a student and teacher. He was given the writing name - "Lewis Carroll," by the editor of student paper.
It was at Christ Church that Dodgson first met the children of the then Dean (head of the College), one of which was called Alice. Dodgson told the children stories using Christ Church as reference in the adventures in Wonderland!
In Oxford a popular place to visit is the world famous 'Alice's Shop', selling all sorts of Alice related souvenirs.
The shop is located on St Aldates, just opposite Alice’s childhood home, just across the road from Christ Church College.
HARRY POTTER WALKING TOUR OXFORD
Harry Potter walking tour of Oxford with entry to Divinity School
Adult £39
• 1.5 hr family-friendly Harry Potter guided walking tour • Includes entry to Divinity School at the Bodleian Library • Old Oxford colleges • Insider gossip on the movies • Learn about Oxford University
Christ Church, Oxford prices and opening times
Christ Church can be visited although it is very much a working college. Indeed it is one of the most accessible colleges at Oxford.
The Hall can sometimes be closed between 12 midday and 2pm and the Cathedral closes for choir practice every day at 4.45pm and at anytime University business may prohibit access. There are different admission charges if any part is closed.
So, it's a good idea to check out in advance of your visit.
Getting to Christ Church in Oxford
Christ Church is right in the heart of the city of Oxford, adjacent to the main shopping area and is well signed throughout the centre of the city and is close to all the other historical colleges. Behind the College is extensive parkland a great place to relax on a nice day.
Oxford University and City Walking Tours
Walking tours of the city centre, conducted by the Guild of Guides, depart from the Oxford Information Centre and last between 1.5 and 2 hours.
As well as introductory guided walking tours, specially themed tours are also available - walk in Harry Potter's footsteps or take in Oxford's architecture for example.
The University and City tour
This is the most popular introductory tour taken by the majority of visitors. The guide will take you through the heart of the historic city centre, illustrating the story of Oxford and it university. Describing the architecture and traditions of its most famous buildings and institutions.
The guide will provide a full briefing on the start of the College's and University life today. The University and City Tour normally visits inside at least one college and also covers the other main sights around the city centre.
The University and City Tour runs daily with frequencies reflecting the time of year. There is normally at least two tours daily with up to eight tours at peak times. The tourist office is easily found in Broad Street and is well signposted all over Oxford city centre.
Oxford & Cambridge Tour
OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITIES
Full day tour of Oxford and Cambridge Universities from London
Adult from £97
• Guided walking tours of Oxford and Cambridge • Expert tour guide • Travel by superior coach • London in your Pocket app access
MOST POPULAR TOURS FROM LONDON 2024
VISITING STONEHENGE AND/OR WINDSOR AND/OR BATH
| Stonehenge Morning Half Day Tour - from £65 |
| Windsor Castle Windsor Morning & Afternoon Tours - from £70 |
| Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge (inc Lunch, no adm Roman Baths) - from £99 |
| Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge (no Lunch, inc adm Roman Baths) - from £92 |
| Windsor, Stonehenge & Salisbury - from £85 |
| Windsor & Bath Day Tour - from £85 |
| Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge (Small Group - Max 16 people) - from £156.60 |
| Stonehenge & Bath (Stonehenge admission only) - 3.5 hrs in Bath - from £88 |
| Stonehenge & Bath (Stonehenge & Baths adm) - 3.5 hrs in Bath - from £116 |
| Stonehenge & Bath (Stonehenge & Jane Austen Centre) - 3.5 hrs in Bath - from £118 |
| Stonehenge & Windsor (featuring extended time at Windsor) - from £85 |
| Stonehenge & Avebury - from £114 |
| Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford - from £79 |
| Stratford, Cotswolds, Bath & Stonehenge - from £128 |
| Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury (Small Group) - from £156.60 |
| Bath, Cotswolds, Stonehenge & Avebury (Small Group) - from £156.60 |
VISITING COTSWOLDS AND/OR OXFORD AND/OR STRATFORD AND/OR WARWICK
| Oxford, Stratford & Warwick Castle - from £74 |
| Oxford, Cotswolds & County pub lunch (Small Group) - from £156.60 |
| Stratford & Cotswolds (inc Anne Hathaway’s) - from £85 |
| Full-day Cotswolds only Tour (Small Group) - from £127 |
| In-depth Cotswolds Only Tour + Lunch - from £127 |
| Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey Village & Cotswolds Tour - from £72 |
| Stratford, Cotswolds, Bath & Stonehenge - from £128 |
| Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford - from £79 |
| Oxford & Cambridge Tour (May-Sep only) - from £97 |
| Downton Abbey & Blenheim Palace (Small Group) - £156.60 |
VISITING CANTERBURY, LEEDS CASTLE & DOVER
| Small group Leeds Castle, Dover & Canterbury with river cruise - from £149 |
| Dover Castle, White Cliffs & Canterbury - from £125 |
| Canterbury, Dover & Kent Villages - £139 |
SPECIAL THEME TOURS
| Stonehenge Special Access (Walk Among Stones) Tours |
| Downton Abbey + Highclere Castle Tours |
| Harry Potter Tours |
| London Rock Tour |
DAY TOURS BY TRAIN TO LIVERPOOL, PARIS & SCOTLAND
| Beatles Liverpool Day Tour - £198 |
| Day Trip to Paris - from £259 |
| Day Trip to Edinburgh - from £225 |
2 TO 12 DAY TOURS COVERING GREAT BRITAIN, IRELAND, PARIS & AMSTERDAM
| 2-day Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath & Oxford - from £349 |
| 3-day Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Bath & SW - from £275 |
| 5-day Peak District, Wales & Yorkshire- from £425 |
| 2-day private Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds & Oxford - from £650 |
| Budget 3 days in Paris - from £289 (not currently available) |
| Luxury 2 & 3 days in Paris - from £399 (not currently available) |
| 2-day Edinburgh - from £312 |
| 3-day Edinburgh & Scotland Weekend - from £379 (not currently available) |
| 3-day Edinburgh & Scotland Anytime - from £999 |
| 6-12-day tours of Great Britain and Ireland - from £1425 |
