Oxford University Tour by Alumni™ with optional New College

Duration1h 30m - 2h 30m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesChinese, English, Spanish

Group sizeUp to 25 travelers

Overview

This is the original Alumni Tour™ — the first of its kind and the most professional experience in the city. Our tours are led by Oxford students and graduates who combine genuine personal experience with a deep knowledge of the city’s history and architecture. The 90-minute tour includes iconic landmarks like the Sheldonian Theatre, Radcliffe Square, and the Bridge of Sighs.

The tour is entirely outdoors, focusing on Oxford’s historic streets, squares, and college exteriors. If selected when booking, your experience can be enriched after the walking tour ends 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 found world-famous inspiration.

Available in English, 中文, and Español upon request.

Options

Mandarin tour with College

New College access: The college self-guided visit takes place at the end of the tour. Access requires a short walk to the gate on Holywell St.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Mandarin tour without College

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Spanish tour without College

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

English tour with College

New College access: The college self-guided visit takes place at the end of the tour. Access requires a short walk to the gate on Holywell St.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

English tour without College

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Spanish tour with College

New College access: The college self-guided visit takes place at the end of the tour. Access requires a short walk to the gate on Holywell St.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

What's included

When corresponding option is selected, admission to historic New College
Available in English, Mandarin, and Spanish, if arranged before booking
Storytelling from an insider guide, trained by The Original Alumni Tour™
When open to tourist access, gain entry into celebrated college spaces
Learn about the Oxbridge application process from a student
Gain an insight into student life at an elite university

Indoor access to structures (unless booked in advance)
Gratuities
Food and drinks
Guaranteed access inside buildings beyond publicly accessible areas
Hotel pickup and drop-off services

What to expect

Pass by

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.
Balliol College
5m · Admission ticket not included

Gain an overview of one of the oldest universities in the world while admiring the first of many architecturally grand buildings.
Trinity College
5m · Admission ticket not included

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!
Sheldonian Theatre
5m · Admission ticket not included

Learn about the 13 busts visible atop the pillars, and get an insiders’ correction of a common misconception.
10m · Admission ticket included

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.
Bodleian Library
5m · Admission ticket not included

A library with a long history, find out about some of the treasures kept among the 12 million books here.
Radcliffe Camera
5m · Admission ticket not included

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 College
5m · Admission ticket not included

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?
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
5m · Admission ticket not included

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!
Oriel College
10m · Admission ticket not included

A controversial piece of university history, learn why there have been protests against honouring one of the main funders of the College.
Christ Church Meadow
10m · Admission ticket not included

One of the most famous sites in Oxford, there are many powerful figures associated with this college!
45m · Admission ticket not included

##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.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

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 11-12 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.

End point

If the New College option is selected

End point

If the New College option is not selected

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

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.8 (390)