Oxford: Harry Potter Walking Tour & Bodleian Library

Inside the Bodleian: Where Oxford's Medieval Halls Became Hogwarts

You walk through Blackwells bookshop, enter the Bodleian Library's Divinity School (the actual filming location), and explore New College's medieval cloisters with a student guide who mixes Harry Potter trivia with Oxford history and terrible puns. Entry to the Divinity School is included. The tour works for fans and non-fans alike. Book early if you're visiting June–August, as access becomes limited during peak season.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Oxford's Harry Potter sites

• Visit Blackwells bookshop
• View Bodleian Library externally
• Tour New College medieval cloisters
• Enter part of Bodleian Library

The experience

The tour is already moving when you arrive. Your student guide is waiting outside Blackwells, the 250,000-volume bookshop that takes up 3 miles of shelves across multiple floors. It's the kind of place that makes sense the moment you walk in if you've ever wondered where Ravenclaw would shop. The guide launches straight into the history: the original Blackwells store was only 12 feet square and held 700 used books. Now it sprawls across the building like it's been expanding under an Engorgio charm. There's a statue on the roof by Antony Gormley: a figure that looks petrified until someone tells you it's art, not a curse.

From there you move into the Bodleian Library itself, one of the largest libraries in the world, with buildings scattered across Oxford like a puzzle. The guide takes you to the Divinity School, the section used in the Harry Potter films: the one that's instantly recognisable if you've seen the movies. It's medieval architecture at its most dramatic: stone vaulting, narrow windows, the kind of space that makes you understand why filmmakers chose it. You go inside here, which is the paid part of the tour. The guide, an actual Oxford student, doesn't just point and move on. There are quizzes, props, and jokes that range from clever to groan-worthy, which somehow makes it work. The tour also weaves in other literary Oxford: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and the actual history of the university underneath it all.

New College comes next, built in 1379 despite the name, with medieval cloisters and courtyards that appear in multiple Harry Potter scenes. You're inside the college itself, not just looking through gates. The whole thing moves at a pace that works whether you're a devoted fan who's read the books five times or someone who came along because a friend insisted and now you're actually interested. The guide handles both equally. There's no gatekeeping, no assumption that you need to have memorised spells to enjoy the architecture.

One thing to know: during peak season (June to August), access to the Divinity School gets extremely limited because of closures and demand. The tour operator is upfront about this rather than promising something they can't deliver. If you're going in summer, that's the constraint you're working with. The whole thing takes 2 to 3 hours, and you're on foot the whole time, moving between buildings across Oxford's medieval streets.

What’s included

Your tour includes a professional Oxford student guide, entry to the Divinity School section of the Bodleian Library, access to New College's medieval cloisters, and a walk through Blackwells bookshop. The guide provides commentary on Harry Potter filming locations, literary Oxford history, and university background throughout the 2–3 hour walk.

Options for this experience

2 options

Oxford Tour OnlyGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 14:30

London collection and return can be addedGuide in English · 08:00 and 09:30Includes pickup in a luxury 16-seater minibus

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (17 to 75 years) · Senior (76 and older) · Child (2 to 16 years)

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Footprints Tours Limited

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the actual Oxford buildings used in Harry Potter films with someone who knows the university inside out, without spending the afternoon arranging separate tickets and navigating between sites yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 16 years).

How long is the Harry Potter walking tour of Oxford?

The tour takes 2 to 3 hours and covers Blackwells bookshop, the Bodleian Library, and New College on foot.

Do you actually go inside the Bodleian Library?

Yes, you enter the Divinity School, the section of the Bodleian used in Harry Potter filming. This is a paid entrance included in the tour.

Is the tour only for Harry Potter fans?

No. The tour is designed for devoted fans, people who won't admit they're fans, and those with no prior interest but wanting to explore Oxford's medieval buildings and literary history.

What other books and locations are covered?

The tour includes sites connected to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Hobbit, and Lord of the Rings, along with Oxford University history.

Can you go inside New College?

Yes, you enter New College (built 1379) and see the medieval cloisters used in Harry Potter filming.

What happens if I visit in summer?

During June–August, access to the Divinity School is extremely limited due to closures and high demand and may not be included. Book early if visiting peak season.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and public transport is available nearby.

Who is the guide?

A professional guide who is an Oxford student, leading the tour with quizzes, props, and commentary on both Harry Potter filming and Oxford's actual history.