Start from the tourist information centre, where you can pick up maps and leaflets.

Turn right into St Aldate's Street and enter Christ Church college through the War Memorial Garden. Exit left from the gate by the Picture Gallery into Oriel Square, named after the college on the right-hand side. Visit the college grounds then continue up Oriel Street to High Street, where you emerge opposite the splendid 17th-century portico of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Visit the church, then leave from the rear entrance into Radcliffe Square.

On your left is Brasenose College, while in the centre of the square is the Radcliffe Camera, built in 1749 and now part of the Bodleian Library. There is no entry for the public to this building but the magnificent rooms of the main library (in neighbouring Schools Quad) are open.

Go through Schools Quad and turn left at the far end

The domed Sheldonian Theatre ahead was designed by Sir Christopher Wren between 1663 and 1669. Climb to the top for a view of Oxford's 'dreaming spires'.

Leave the Sheldonian and walk straight ahead, crossing Catte Street, and beneath Oxford's very own Bridge of Sighs across Queen's Lane.

For a pub lunch turn immediately left into St Helen's Passage and follow it to the famous Turf Tavern.

Return to New College Lane and follow this around to New College, noting the splendid gargoyles and grotesques on the wall. Leaving New College, Queen's Lane takes you between Queen's College (right) and St Edmund Hall (also a college, left).

Turn right on to the High Street and walk a little further to Magdalen College (pronounced 'Mordlin'), with luck in time to attend the famous Evensong performance (generally at 6pm, but check with the tourist information centre).