Highlights
Walk through Oxford with someone who knows it from the inside. Our guides are Oxford students or graduates who combine personal experience with a deep knowledge of the city’s history and architecture. The 90-minute tour includes landmarks like the Sheldonian Theatre, Radcliffe Square, and the Bridge of Sighs. The tour is entirely outdoors, focusing on Oxford’s streets, squares, and college exteriors. 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. You’ll pass through quiet college lanes and meadows where Lewis Carroll imagined Alice in Wonderland, C. S. Lewis envisioned the gateway to Narnia, and where Tolkien and J. K. Rowling studied, lived, and found inspiration. Along the way, you’ll admire the city’s striking mix of Gothic and Baroque architecture.
About This Deal
Departure Point
- Important:
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.
Return Details
- If the New College option is selected
- If the New College option is not selected
Duration
1 hour and 30 minutes - 2 hours and 30 minutes
Languages Available
- Human tour guide - Mandarin
- Human tour guide - English
- Human tour guide - Spanish
Points of Interest
Stop At: 11 Broad St
11 Broad Street, Oxford, England OX1 3BJ
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.
Duration: Not Available
Stop At: Balliol College
Broad Street, , Oxford
Gain an overview of one of the oldest universities in the world while admiring the first of many architecturally grand buildings.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Trinity College
Broad Street, Oxford
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!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Sheldonian Theatre
Broad Street, Oxford, Oxford
Learn about the 13 busts visible atop the pillars, and get an insiders’ correction of a common misconception.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Bodleian Library
Broad Street, University Of Oxford, Oxford
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Radcliffe Camera
Radcliffe Square, , Oxford
A library with a long history, find out about some of the treasures kept among the 12 million books here.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: All Souls College
High Street, Oxford
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!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
The High Street, University of Oxford, Oxford
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?
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Oriel College
Oriel Square, Oxford
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!
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Christ Church Meadow
Oxford
A controversial piece of university history, learn why there have been protests against honouring one of the main funders of the College.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: New College
Holywell Street, Oxford, England OX1 3BN
One of the most famous sites in Oxford, there are many powerful figures associated with this college!
Duration: 10 minutes
Additional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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.
- Not recommended for travellers who cannot complete a 90-minute walk
- Exceptional access to interiors (WHEN ACCESSIBLE)
- Oxford University Student or Graduate Guide
- Learn about the Oxbridge application process from a student
- Learn about Oxford history and anecdotes
- Gain an insight into student life at an elite university
- Enter New College (WHEN YOU BOOK THIS OPTION)
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Indoor access to structures unless booked in advance
Redemption Instructions
Please present your ticket to your guide at the red pillar box outside 11 Broad Street, Oxford. The guide will be wearing a blue uniform item, hat, or scarf with the Alumni Tours heraldic crest. We recommend arriving at least 5 minutes early to allow time to locate your guide and check in.
- Please present your booking confirmation at the gate of New College, stating that you have booked with "Alumni Tours".
##IMPORTANT: (the company cannot take responsibility for issues caused by not following these guidelines):
Late arrivals cannot be refunded. Once the tour starts, the guide cannot be contacted. Cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance are fully refundable, unless otherwise agreed, especially for large groups.
Snacks and drinks are allowed, but not inside college buildings.
The walk lasts 90 minutes at a steady pace and includes uneven surfaces. Wheelchair users are welcome, but the tour is not suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
No scheduled toilet breaks. If you leave the group for an extended time, you may not be able to find them again upon your return. This is at the customer’s own risk.
Dress appropriately and wear suitable footwear. Bring water in warm weather.
Standard tours are conducted in English, but guides come from a cosmopolitan mix of students and alumni; please be prepared for a variety of accents.
Pets are not permitted inside colleges, except for guide dogs.
Complaints must be directed to management by phone or email. Please do not address complaints to the guide, as they are not authorized to handle them.
Follow the guide’s instructions and local safety rules. Inform your guide if unwell
Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Oxford Alumni Tours in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
Fine Print
14-day cancellation rights do not apply; no refunds or exchanges permitted. Voucher valid only for date and time listed; may not be exchanged or redeemed for other dates. Purchaser name and phone number must be provided at checkout; this information will be shared with Viator and the tour operator for purposes of order fulfillment. Groupon promo codes may not be used for this offer. Groupon voucher Terms of Sale do not apply. See the tour operator's terms and conditions for this offer here.
Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts.