Oxford: Inspector Morse & College Walking Tour

Walk the Streets Where Inspector Morse Was Filmed

You walk past the Bridge of Sighs, Radcliffe Camera, and other Inspector Morse filming locations in Oxford, with entry included to one college. The tour runs two hours with a small group (usually 2–4 people) and a knowledgeable guide. You arrive at Broad Street 5 minutes before noon, and the whole experience is built around keeping numbers low so you actually see and hear what's happening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Radcliffe Camerapass by
2. Bridge of Sighspass by
3. Bodleian Library15m
4. All Souls Collegepass by
5. Oxford Covered Market5m
6. Balliol Collegepass by
7. Trinity Collegepass by

Inspector Morse Oxford walking tour

• Pass by Radcliffe Camera
• Pass by Bridge of Sighs
• Pass by Morse film site
• Visit Bodleian Library
• Pass by more Morse film sites
• Pass by All Souls College
• Visit Oxford Covered Market
• Pass by additional Morse film sites
• Visit another Morse film site
• Pass by Balliol College
• Pass by Trinity College
• Visit Morse film site with hotel pictures

The experience

The Bridge of Sighs doesn't look like much when you first turn the corner. Just a stone archway connecting two buildings across a narrow street in Oxford. But if you've watched Inspector Morse, you've seen it. This tour takes you past that bridge, the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library, and the colleges where the detective actually walked on screen, and you get inside at least one of them. The whole thing runs about two hours, and the group stays small, usually just two to four people, which means you're not shuffling through Oxford in a crowd of thirty.

Tom, the main guide, knows this material inside out. He talks about the making of the TV series, the character of Morse himself, and what it's actually like to study at Oxford University. You'll see Trinity College, Balliol, and some of the other famous sights, and depending on which colleges are open that day, you'll get entry to either Wadham, Exeter, Balliol, or St Johns. The tour includes that entry. You don't pay extra at the gate. One thing to know: you can't go inside the Bodleian Library itself (it's medieval and off-limits to tour groups), but you pass by it and the guide explains what's inside.

Getting there matters more than you'd think. If you're driving, Oxford's roads are tight and parking is rough, so aim to arrive an hour early and use one of the park-and-ride lots on the edge of town: buses run every 15 to 30 minutes into the city centre. If you're coming by train, give yourself the same buffer. The station is about 15 minutes' walk from the meeting point on Broad Street. The tour starts at noon, and you need to be there five minutes early. If you're late, you lose your spot, because the guide won't hold the group.

This works well if you want to see the Morse locations without renting a car or booking a private guide, and you don't mind a small group. The price is a bit higher than some competitors, but that's because the groups actually stay small, not a promise, but a habit. Families with young children should know this isn't really aimed at them, though kids five and under go free.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a 2-hour guided walk through Oxford's Inspector Morse filming locations, entry to one college (Wadham, Exeter, Balliol, or St Johns, depending on availability), and a small group of no more than 5 people on average.
• You'll pass the Bridge of Sighs, Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Library, All Souls College, Oxford Covered Market, Trinity College, and other key sights.
• The guide provides insights into the TV series, the character of Morse, and university life at Oxford.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (6 to 16 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Visit Oxford Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Inspector Morse locations without arranging your own transport or paying for a private guide. The small group size is what makes the experience feel personal rather than rushed, and college entry is already paid for.

Traveler reviews

4.73★★★★★★★★★★

123 verified traveler reviews

5 ★100

4 ★16

3 ★5

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 16 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

What time does the Inspector Morse tour start?

The tour starts at 12:00pm. You should arrive 5 minutes early at the meeting point on Broad Street.

How long is the tour?

Approximately 2 hours.

How many people are in the group?

Groups are kept to a maximum of 15 people, but typically run with just 2–4 people.

Is college entry included?

Yes. Entry to one college is included: either Wadham, Exeter, Balliol, or St Johns, depending on which is open that day.

Can I go inside the Bodleian Library?

No. Tour guides cannot enter the medieval library, but you pass by it and the guide explains its significance. You can book a separate Bodleian Library tour through their website if you want to go inside.

What if I'm driving to Oxford?

Oxford has congested roads and limited parking. It's recommended to use a park-and-ride lot on the edge of town (buses run every 15–30 minutes into the city centre) or take the train. Allow an extra 30–60 minutes for driving and parking.

What happens if I'm late?

If you arrive more than 5 minutes after the scheduled start time, you will forfeit your booking, as the guide will have already left the meeting point.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What if colleges are closed on the day of my tour?

Entry to at least one college is almost always guaranteed, but during graduation dates or the Christmas holiday period, college access may be limited. Check the exclusions section for specific closed dates.