Museum of Oxford Walks: Oxford’s Queer History

Part of the Museum of Oxford Walks 2025 series.

How was Oxford in the 17th century for the LGBTQIA+ community? Which college is the queerest? Where is the oldest LGBTQIA+ pub in the city?

Find out the answers to these questions – and much more – on this 90-minute guided city walking tour, uncovering stories from the queer community throughout the history of Oxford.

Led by city guide Hannah Field, you will meet a host of fascinating characters including a “lesbian, Indian princess, suffragette, refugee smuggler”, a flamboyant bus conductor, a Catholic Saint, and many more. Learn about local characters, pubs and clubs of Oxford, University societies, Oxford Pride, future events and so much more on this queer history walking tour of Oxford city centre.

A unique opportunity to explore an alternative side of Oxford and current local history research.

Meeting point: Museum of Oxford shop (located inside the Oxford Town Hall). Please arrive 5 minutes before the start of the walk and check in at the Museum Shop with our friendly front of house team.

Tickets cost £15 and are available to purchase online (booking fee applies) or at the Museum shop.

Accessibility and further information

Meeting point: Museum of Oxford shop (located inside the Oxford Town Hall). Please arrive 5 minutes before the start of the walk and check in at the Museum Shop with our friendly front of house team.

The walk lasts 1.5 hours.

The itinerary includes cobbled streets, uneven surfaces and narrow pavements. Please email museum@oxford.gov.uk if you would like to discuss any access requirements ahead of booking a walk.

Please note that this walk is recommended for ages 16+.

Meet your tour guide: Hannah Field

Hannah is is a local tour guide, she grew up in Oxford and is openly bisexual. She has a passion for queer history and has researched this tour with the help of friends and the Bodleian Library. Her other interests include Women at Oxford, stained glass, Phillip Pullman, A Discovery of Witches, filming locations, architecture and much more.