Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide
5
Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide
By Footprints Tours Oxford
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About
Let a guide bring one of the world’s oldest universities to life on an Oxford University walking tour. Unlike other tours, your guide is a university student with first-hand knowledge of the prestigious campus. Receive information crucial to understanding the history of the institution, and explore in a small group for a personalized experience. Choose a tour time, and delve deeper into the history of Oxford than if you were to explore independently.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-100, max of 100 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Explore Oxford University with a current student on a walking tour
- Receive first-hand knowledge from a guide who knows the campus intimately
- Listen to information crucial to understanding the history of Oxford
- Receive personalized attention in a small group limited to 15 people
Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best
2024
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Professional guide
- Entry/Admission - Exeter College
- Entry/Admission - Oxford
What's not included- Gratuities
- Greet your guide and small group at a central Oxford meeting point at the tour time you selected at checkout. Embark on a walking tour of one of the world’s oldest universities, visiting colleges such as Trinity, All Souls, Hertford, and Merton. Learn about famous alumni and the history’s striking past from your guide as you stroll the campus. Catch sight of Oxford landmarks such as Radcliffe Camera and the Church of St. Mary. Your guide leads you to the Bodleian Library, where you can marvel at the ancient books. Other highlights during this Oxford tour include the pub where J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis spent much of their time, as well as filming locations of some of the Harry Potter films.
- Start:
- 16 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AS, UKPlease be at 16 Broad Street (Oxford Tourist Information) 15 minutes before the start of the tour
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 22673P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- After 2 years of closures, we are attempting to include entrances back into the tour. It is possible that the sites will not be possible on the day, the guide will inform you at the start of the tour, and you are able to get a full refund in these very rare circumstances
- Group Sizing In Line With Social Distancing Rules
- Guides Temperature Taken Before Tour
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 22673P1
From
₹3,367.68
per adult
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Itinerary
- 16 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AS, UKPlease be at 16 Broad Street (Oxford Tourist Information) 15 minutes before the start of the tour
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Curious_Traveller6360 contributionsExcellent tour with FrancescoWe were moved from 11am-2pm with a day’s notice which we could accommodate, but made us a little wary. We need not have worried. The instruction could be clearer to go into the tourism centre to check in because on other tours they have started outside. Once we got going, because we were such a small group, we didn’t need the audio guides. The tour has the right blend of history, facts and things to see, with Trinity and Christ Church the standouts. Highly recommend this.Written 18 February 2025
- cathydel0 contributionsReally worthwhile.Lorenzo guided us the highlights of Oxford tour. He was very passion and historically knowledgeable about Oxford city sights, amazing buildings, the university and its Colleges. A great tour with a great guide. It would have been good to have had more time at Christ Church as we got there after 4.00 pm and they started closing up 30 mins later. So we didn’t get a full hour to explore.Written 15 February 2025
- 676kajag0 contributionsOxfordLara was a great guide. Thank you. We had great time walking around places from Harry Potter movies. Kids loved it! Thank youWritten 13 February 2025
- Mobile634447411090 contributionsOxford Free Walking TourHolly, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable. She made our tour of the Oxford colleges, very interesting and informative.Written 13 February 2025
- Andrew M0 contributionsOutstanding (for a tour led by a Slytherin)!Outstanding! Olivia was fun, funny, witty and knowledgeable! We loved the tour and had a FANTASTIC time (and won the day for Hufflepuff)! Thanks, team! Much appreciated! You can put the screen down now, boss! 😂Written 12 February 2025
- bethn8230 contributionsA walk around Hogwarts with an incredible guide :)This was such a fun and magical tour for any Harry Potter fan. Be sure to book a separate tour for Christ Church (it's not included in this £30 walking tour). But you will see so many amazing, inspiring places around Oxford, including the Hogwarts Infirmary/hospital wing (the Divinity School) and the New College campus, where you might spot students enjoying their lunch in the dining hall...the chapel with inspiring elements...and the classic cloisters that will make any HP fan melt and feel like you're really at Hogwarts.Written 4 February 2025
- ashaniw20230 contributionsgreat tour for Potter headsMy kid really enjoyed the Harry Potter walking tour. It included the entrance to divinity school and new college so was really worth for the money.Written 2 February 2025
- CatgAspersions0 contributionsGood tourTym made the tour interesting and we learned a lot of fun facts. Great personality. The pace was just right, not rushed. Highly recommend.Written 1 February 2025
- winston c0 contributionsGreat Tour with knowledgeable history student as guide.Our guide was so so sweet, kind and very knowledgeable. This tour gives a great general tour of many the most interesting college sites.Written 28 January 2025
- jamespP9734FK0 contributionsHighly recommend! Informative, fun, and friendly tourReally enjoyed the tour, Lara was excellent. Very informative, learnt a lot about the history of the buildings and university, and some fun Harry Potter triviaWritten 26 January 2025
- keelio20250 contributionsExcellent Guide!Alice was an absolute gem of a tour guide! We learned a lot about Oxford and the history of the university, and she included many fun anecdotes about her life here. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to quickly learn the history of the city.Written 20 January 2025
- 221alexah0 contributionsWonderful experience!Laura was a great tour guide! So informative, had an answer for every question. She was so sweet and truly cared for our group! Highly highly recommend this tour! So cool!!Written 18 January 2025
- Dream452534412500 contributionsAmazing experienceIt was amazing. Olivia's so kind and genuine person. The tour was incredible, fantastic. I will recommended for everyone to come a Oxford.Written 14 January 2025
- K3702CDdanielai0 contributionsNice tour!Lara, our guide, was very clear, took the time to explain us everything. Really nice tour!! We really recommend the extended one :)Written 11 January 2025
- Roving305643766530 contributionsA great walking tour with AdamThis is our first trip to Oxford, so a visit to tourist information was a must. We were very lucky to have Adam as our guide for the tour. He brought to life the history of the University and Oxford. He had many amusing anecdotes which kept the group entertained.Written 10 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
5,213 reviews
Excellent
4,808
Very good
283
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55
Poor
32
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These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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familieunterwegs2018
Aldenhoven, Germany84 contributions
We made a day trip to Oxford on the occasion of our winter holiday. We were traveling with 3 teenagers and previously unsure if the English skills were enough to understand enough.
We had booked in advance very easily online.
Our guide Tom was sympathetic and imparted the knowledge about the city and the university with small anecdotes really very entertaining and entertaining, so the 2 hours flew by.
It should be noted that we also had the opportunity to enter the university premises (including Dining Hall, Chapel), which would not have been the case with many other providers.
From us 100% recommendation!
We had booked in advance very easily online.
Our guide Tom was sympathetic and imparted the knowledge about the city and the university with small anecdotes really very entertaining and entertaining, so the 2 hours flew by.
It should be noted that we also had the opportunity to enter the university premises (including Dining Hall, Chapel), which would not have been the case with many other providers.
From us 100% recommendation!
Automatically translated
Written 3 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vielen Dank, dass Sie unsere Oxford-Wanderung zu 100 % weiterempfehlen und die einzigartigen Möglichkeiten hervorheben, die wir bieten. Ich werde Ihre schöne Bewertung an Tom weiterleiten, da ich mir sicher bin, dass er sich freuen wird, wenn er als wirklich unterhaltsam und sympathisch beschrieben wird.
Written 3 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Climber76520
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Friends
Our incredibly knowledgeable guide, Ryan, made this tour a delight and one of the most informative, entertaining walking tours I've ever taken. With careful timing and passion, he told stories about the university and city that deepened our knowledge about not only Oxford but the history of Britain, particularly during the time of the Reformation. I can't recommend the tour highly enough--and I hope you get Ryan if you're interested in a deep (and dramatic) dive into the connections between Oxford, its religious underpinnings, and how it transformed into the academic center of Europe.
Written 1 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelLass82
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK87 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Good tour with a current student as our guide. Our guide was knowledgeable and answered all of our questions.
Footprints were an excellent tour operator, the booking process was easy and I was sent my tickets and information quickly. Check-in for the tour is at the information centre, and this took quite a bit of time, so get there in the queue well in advance of your tour time.
We did get to go inside Exeter College and into the Divinity School at the Bod library, but note that you cannot go inside any of the actual libraries as these are for students only so you won't go inside the Rad Cam, the Bod, or the Weston. Other colleges are open for free and you can see the outside of all the buildings from the street without booking a tour. You could probably book the free walking tour and just pay for a ticket into the Divinity School if you want to go inside.
Footprints were an excellent tour operator, the booking process was easy and I was sent my tickets and information quickly. Check-in for the tour is at the information centre, and this took quite a bit of time, so get there in the queue well in advance of your tour time.
We did get to go inside Exeter College and into the Divinity School at the Bod library, but note that you cannot go inside any of the actual libraries as these are for students only so you won't go inside the Rad Cam, the Bod, or the Weston. Other colleges are open for free and you can see the outside of all the buildings from the street without booking a tour. You could probably book the free walking tour and just pay for a ticket into the Divinity School if you want to go inside.
Written 13 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_meheike59
Boston, MA14 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
This tour was a complete scam. They have a flashy brochure and website red alarms should have gone off when we meet on a small side street and were immediately shown the "sliding scale" price list for a "free" tour. How odd that we were asked to pay half way thru the tour and the tour guide asked one of the guest to go in to a building to check to see if it was open. An authorized guide would have a badge and would do it themselves. The information provided during the tour was scant and vague. We should have trusted our instincts and walked away at the start.
Their brochure lists the name of the company many different ways AND there is no office address or phone number listed any where on the brochure, just an email site. If you sign up for a "free" tour that has you meeting on Ship St, run don't walk away.
Their brochure lists the name of the company many different ways AND there is no office address or phone number listed any where on the brochure, just an email site. If you sign up for a "free" tour that has you meeting on Ship St, run don't walk away.
Written 21 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, I am sorry to see that your experience with a guided tour in Oxford has been disappointing, it is very frustrating to travel from one place to have a poor experience once at the destination. However, I believe that your experience might have been with a different company than ours. Our meeting point is not on Ship Street but on Broad Street, and we do have an address and phone number listed on our leaflets, as well as a physical building at the meeting point where people can come in, check in and ask for recommendations. I am unsure if your experience has been with us or with another touring company. If it turns out to be us, allow me to sincerely apologise for the poor service you received, but given the information provided, I believe you might be referring to another tour company. I hope you still enjoyed your time in Oxford and we can show you around next time!
Written 22 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Keval R
9 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Nothing is free about this tour. From the very beginning of the tour, the guide Mathew will come up to you to "explain" how the tour works and the various pricing of the tour. While all American's will be giving tips, this was not a gesture expected at the end. Instead, Mathew wanted to make it VERY clear we will be paying and the tiers of payment were listed in his brochure. The brochure starts at 6 pounds and goes up from there. He clearly stated that 7 pounds a person is the beginning rate and 6 is for average tours and that "we are not average." He spent the majority of the tour telling jokes, not delving much into history. Many breaks were taken. An "8 minute" bathroom break turned into 15-20 minutes as Mathew spent the time going around the crowd with a credit card reader to collect everyones payment for the tour. This was about 20 minutes into a 90min tour. Very disappointed in this company and how the tour guide handled this tour. I recommend doing a 25 pound/person tour, at least that way you know what you are signing up for. Alternatively, recommend a self-guided walking tour. You will get more out of it and not be harassed for payment by a guide clearly only focused on the tips.
This was probably the worst city walking tour we have ever taken.
This was probably the worst city walking tour we have ever taken.
Written 24 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vincent D
10 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Honestly, I expected a lot better and a little more anecdotes. Overall the visit takes place outdoors. We don't really go into the buildings and above all it is stipulated that we visit the bookstore but not at all!!! We stay outside. This visit is therefore misleading, sorry to tell you....it lasted 1 hour 40 minutes instead of 2 hours and it was quickly dispatched....so I cannot recommend it!!!!
Honestly, I was expecting a lot more and a bit more information. On the whole, the visit takes place outside. You don't really go inside the buildings and above all it's stipulated that you visit the bookshop, but not at all! We stay outside. I'm sorry to say that this visit is misleading....it lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes instead of 2 hours, and it was quickly dispatched....so I can't recommend !!!!.
Honestly, I was expecting a lot more and a bit more information. On the whole, the visit takes place outside. You don't really go inside the buildings and above all it's stipulated that you visit the bookshop, but not at all! We stay outside. I'm sorry to say that this visit is misleading....it lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes instead of 2 hours, and it was quickly dispatched....so I can't recommend !!!!.
Written 2 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
promoinfo
Brighton and Hove, UK66 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
On 21/Oct/2025, at 14:00 I joined the Free Oxford walking tour led by a former Oxford Student and it was an unforgettable experience.
From the very start, our guide was engaging, charismatic, and bursting with fascinating insider knowledge. While we explored the city’s iconic landmarks, such as like the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library, and the various colleges, it was the personal stories and little known secrets that truly brought my total attention.
The guide shared anecdotes about the traditions, rivalries, and quirks of student life at Oxford, details that you won’t find in any guidebook. From sneaky shortcuts to tales of pranks and famous alumni, every stop on the tour had an extra layer of interest. It was clear that our guide’s passion for the university and the city ran deep in him.
The blend of history, humor, and personal experience made the tour both informative and incredibly entertaining.
Whether you’re interested in the rich history of Oxford or just want a fun, unique experience, I highly recommend this tour. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to go beyond the usual tourist path and see Oxford through the eyes of someone who calls it home with his family.
From the very start, our guide was engaging, charismatic, and bursting with fascinating insider knowledge. While we explored the city’s iconic landmarks, such as like the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library, and the various colleges, it was the personal stories and little known secrets that truly brought my total attention.
The guide shared anecdotes about the traditions, rivalries, and quirks of student life at Oxford, details that you won’t find in any guidebook. From sneaky shortcuts to tales of pranks and famous alumni, every stop on the tour had an extra layer of interest. It was clear that our guide’s passion for the university and the city ran deep in him.
The blend of history, humor, and personal experience made the tour both informative and incredibly entertaining.
Whether you’re interested in the rich history of Oxford or just want a fun, unique experience, I highly recommend this tour. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to go beyond the usual tourist path and see Oxford through the eyes of someone who calls it home with his family.
Written 22 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a great review- we're so happy to hear that you found our tour unique and engaging! Have a lovely rest of your day and we hope to see you again soon.
Written 24 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris W
Chelmsford4 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Our guide, Andrew, was on time, informed, articulate and extremely approachable. They clearly have a pride and passion for the City.
We booked the tour to accompany friends from America in exploring the city. We, and they, enjoyed every moment. For four old codgers, the pace was ideal especially as the temperature on the day was in the 30s. Andrew managed the tour well, delivering information, as much as possible, from the shade or indoors.
The route and content of the tour were excellent and in my opinion, paying £25 to gain access to the inside of colleges and chapels was well worth the money, over the free tours.
An opinion from both English and American visitors was the tour was excellent on all counts and definitely value for money. Thank you.
We booked the tour to accompany friends from America in exploring the city. We, and they, enjoyed every moment. For four old codgers, the pace was ideal especially as the temperature on the day was in the 30s. Andrew managed the tour well, delivering information, as much as possible, from the shade or indoors.
The route and content of the tour were excellent and in my opinion, paying £25 to gain access to the inside of colleges and chapels was well worth the money, over the free tours.
An opinion from both English and American visitors was the tour was excellent on all counts and definitely value for money. Thank you.
Written 8 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nomad787422
Tauranga, New Zealand1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
We wanted to see inside some of the university buildings and learn more about the history, so decided to do the tour instead of independently walking around.
Our guide Richard was very knowledgeable, professional and friendly and it was great to hear the history of the university and how involved it was in important events and achievements.
We would have loved to have gone in more of the colleges but the other tour offering this was significantly more expensive. However, thanks to a knowledgeable guide we still learnt a lot in the 2 hours.
Our guide Richard was very knowledgeable, professional and friendly and it was great to hear the history of the university and how involved it was in important events and achievements.
We would have loved to have gone in more of the colleges but the other tour offering this was significantly more expensive. However, thanks to a knowledgeable guide we still learnt a lot in the 2 hours.
Written 10 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're so glad to hear you enjoyed Richards tour and were impressed with his knowledge and professionalism. We hope to see you on another Footprints tour one day!
Written 12 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dlm-cats
Mesa, AZ45 contributions
Our Oxford adventure was made absolutely amazing due to the incredible guide, Chris Fleming. He led the “Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide“ and was so informative about the history of the city, the colleges and the Oxford traditions.
Chris’s ten years in Oxford as a student and a fellow enabled him to make the history come alive and his retelling of college high jinx added some levity as well.
Don’t worry about having too many people in your tour group. The Footpaths people limited the number of people in each group.
Chris’s ten years in Oxford as a student and a fellow enabled him to make the history come alive and his retelling of college high jinx added some levity as well.
Don’t worry about having too many people in your tour group. The Footpaths people limited the number of people in each group.
Written 1 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow, thank you for taking the time to write such a glowing review! We are so delighted to hear you had such a positive, informative, and entertaining experience on your tour with Chris! Hopefully we will see you on another one of our tours sometime soon!
Written 2 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Does this tour currently come with inside access to view the Bodleian Library? This is for a tour in July 2022
Written 22 July 2022
No, you don’t go inside the library, but you do walk through the courtyard and hear some history about the place.
Written 23 July 2022
For the "Oxford University Tour with University Alumni Guide", do you have access into the Duke Humphrey's portion of the Bodleian Library or the library in general? I'm seeing mixed reviews.
Written 6 June 2022
Unfortunately we did not .
Oxford tour showed us only inside one collage.
I would recommend to Bodleian library tour. They have 30,60, 90 min. Please plan in advance. When you search please be sure this is not the same as Oxford tour.
Thank you!
Written 6 June 2022
Hi, we are a group of 27. Could we get a guided trip from 10-12 the 21. of Mai?
Written 30 January 2022
Some of the tours you can choose from include entrance to some of the colleges, ours went into one of the colleges, and we got to see their Halls, Chapel and quadrangle. We took a separate tour on another day to see inside the famous Library, well worth it.
Written 14 October 2021
Can my well behaved dog come and I have an 18 Yr old looking at University and a 14 year old
Written 29 July 2021
Probably best check with the tour company. I did this tour 2 weeks ago, it’s all outside with no time spent indoors, stopping outside the buildings in turn over the 2 hour period. You can pay to go into individual colleges (the ones that are open at present) afterwards if you want, charges vary from about £5 (Carfax Tower) to £18 (Christchurch). There were no dogs on the day I was there, but I don’t imagine a well behaved dog would hinder the tour.
Written 30 July 2021
If I book a tour for 4 people is it just us and a guide. Or will we be part of a larger group.
Written 29 June 2021
Hi. It would be part of a larger group but what they did with us was to split the groups up into around 10 or 12 with more than one tour guide so the group numbers never got too large. I cant recommend these tours enough. They provide so much information and insight that you never get from just wandering around. They also show you places you probably wouldn't find and will want to go back and see after the tour is ended.
Written 30 June 2021
Does the tour go into the library.
Written 27 December 2019
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