Oxford University Tour by Alumni™ & Punt + optional New College
Description
This tour offers something few others do: the chance to experience Oxford both on foot and from the water, all in one visit. Enjoy a full Oxford experience by combining our 90-minute student- or graduate-led college walking tour with a 30-minute chauffeured punting tour—a perfect way to take in the city’s history and beauty. The tour is outdoors. If selected when booking, AFTER THE WALKING TOUR ENDS, your experience can be enriched with a self-guided visit to New College, one of the university’s most historic and picturesque colleges. Then, without needing to plan a separate activity, you’ll step into a traditional punt and be taken along Oxford’s quieter, greener side. As you glide past the Botanic Gardens, Christ Church Meadows, and the banks where Lewis Carroll once walked, you’ll see a view of the city that most walking tours simply don’t reach. It’s a well-balanced way to enjoy both Oxford’s rich academic tradition and its peaceful riverside setting—all in a single experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet the guide OUTSIDE the address, not inside. The location is not part of our business. The meeting point is the RED PILLAR MAILBOX in front of 11 Broad Street. Your guide wears a royal blue item of clothing with a heraldic shield—this may be a jacket, cap, beanie, scarf, or polo shirt.
Gain an overview of one of the oldest universities in the world while admiring the first of many architecturally grand buildings.
Take a look into some of the strange traditions that come with an old and prestigious university. From pranks to tortoises, student life certainly isn’t boring here!
Learn about the 13 busts visible atop the pillars, and get an insiders’ correction of a common misconception.
Hear about the intricacies of the Oxford graduation ceremony, and, if possible, take a look inside the Divinity School which was famously used in the Harry Potter films.
A library with a long history, find out about some of the treasures kept among the 12 million books here.
A dome that is famous for being one of the Oxford Dreaming Spires, and a Camera which has nothing to do with photography? Contradictions abound here, and your guide will make sure you don’t get lost in them!
All Souls is a very prestigious college which requires an incredibly stringent examination to be completed by all prospective students. Your guide can give you examples of past questions; how do you think you would fare?
The University Church is a great location to understand some of the tensions between so called ‘Town and Gown’, and of course is a stunning building to appreciate!
A controversial piece of university history, learn why there have been protests against honouring one of the main funders of the College.
One of the most famous sites in Oxford, there are many powerful figures associated with this college!
##IMPORTANT: This option is available only if selected at the time of booking. Access times for New College – Spring/Summer 2025 (10th March to 14th October): Open daily from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Last entry at 4:30 pm. All visitors must leave the premises by 5:00 pm. The self-guided visit to New College takes place at the end of the walking tour. Access involves a short walk to the entrance on Holywell Street. Please keep these timings in mind when booking this option.
Start your relaxing trip by being chauffeured past the UK’s oldest botanic garden, with the dreaming spires of Oxford peeking over the trees.
Continue your peaceful trip through the nature of Oxford by passing Christ Church Meadow, a large area owned by the College which allows access to many of the cities boathouses.
One of several extensive College Gardens, St Hilda’s boasts rich wildlife and seasonal colour year-round, perfect to appreciate on your serene trip along the River Cherwell!
After experiencing the above (and more!) on the walking tour, have a short break and walk to Magdalen Bridge Boathouse, where a manager will meet you and direct you to the departure point for your punting tour!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- ##IMPORTANT: Before booking New College, please note the following timings: Spring/Summer 2025 (10th March to 14th October): Open daily from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm Last entry at 4:30 pm All visitors must leave the premises by 5:00 pm If you have any doubts or questions, feel free to contact us.
- New College is generally 10 to 15 minutes away from the tour’s end point. Please keep this in mind before booking.
- Wheelchair users are welcome on the tour. Please note that one small area is inaccessible, though it only accounts for a few minutes of the route. Some parts of New College may also be difficult to access. We advise caution due to uneven surfaces, curbs, and potential trip hazards. Please also be mindful of vehicles and bicycles, particularly in busy areas.
- In autumn and winter, Oxford’s rivers can experience high or low water levels. Tours may be cancelled in such cases, with a refund or alternative option provided. These conditions are beyond our control.
- Not recommended for travellers who cannot complete a 90-minute walk
Reviews(42)
Having been touring around the UK we found this tour a nice change of pace. While this tour provides history and the normal download of facts the current student angle also provides a modern day perspective on how the university actually operates for a student today. A very worthwhile experience that is quite personal.
While the start point was a little hard to find among all the other guide groups - the tour itself was fantastic - with our guide Kai being able to tell us all sorts of Intresting and eccentric facts about both the town and the university. Particularly the really intresting bit about the history of Cecil Rhodes and the activists at Oxford. Would recommend!
We booked a last minute Oxford Uni tour and punting trip last minute. We were able to get a Mandarin speaking tour guide at a time we wanted. The tour was interesting and our tour guide (John) was very helpful and explained many aspects of the building and the history. We recommend this experience. 謝謝John!
Experiences like these are only enjoyable when the guide can bring things to life. After all 800 year old bricks can only do so much. Our tour guide TJ was engaging, knowledgable and entertaining. He really brought the place to life which made it a great tour. The only criticism would be that when we entered Kings College Chapel would be to have a guide take us through that portion. All in all great value for the price and would recommend it to anyone
We had a perfect tour around Oxford. The tour was very organized. Our tour guide Tejas is Oxford student who was very positive, communicative and funny really explained in depth about the rich history of the university and so much more. It was great experience
Tejas was amazing! Purely flawless, he made us feel like "welcome to my home!". He spoke the right amount of information and gave us a lot of insiders tips. We truly enjoyed it. I also was translating to my mother as she does not speak English and he cared to ask if he was speaking slow enough. Thank you Tejas!
My granddaughter and I had a wonderful tour of Oxford colleges. This was the first time I have been on an organised city tour. I was a bit concerned it would be too formal. But our guide, Tejas, put us at ease, and we had a very relaxed experience, which included some interesting historical facts about Oxford. We ended the tour with a lovely punt down the river. A perfect morning!
It was informative and entertaining. I world recommend it further
We went on this tour with Kay. She showed us around Oxford, sharing lots of interesting stories, revealing a few hidden gems and sharing plenty of historical facts. We highly recommend this tour.
This was by far the best tour i’ve ever been on! Aruj was an excellent tour guide and so knowledgeable about all things Oxford. I will be recommending this to everyone I know and hope to take my family here next time!
