Combined Oxford University Walking & Punting Tour With Optional New College Entry Led By University Alumni

OXFORD WALKING AND PUNTING TOUR WITH OPTIONAL NEW COLLEGE LED BY UNIVERSITY ALUMNI – SHARED & PRIVATE OPTIONS

Key Highlights

• Combine Oxford’s leading walking tour with a chauffeured punting experience
• Includes all features of our Oxford Walking Tour, with punting added
• Led by Oxford University graduates & current students
• Explore Oxford’s most iconic landmarks.
• Entry into Divinity School (subject to availability)
• Exclusive private punting tour on the River Cherwell
• Discover connections to Alice in Wonderland and Oxford’s literary history
• Scenic river views past Christ Church Meadows and college gardens.
• Optional New College entry add-on.
• Bring your own refreshments or purchase drinks at the pontoon.
• Available as both shared and private experiences
• Tours available in English, Mandarin & Spanish (shared) + multiple languages for private tours

Tour Options

Option 1: Shared Walking + Shared Punting

• Duration: Approximately 2 hours
• Includes:
  • 90-minute shared alumni-led walking tour
  • 30–60 minute shared chauffeured punting tour
• Languages: English, Mandarin and Spanish
• Shared experience, perfect for meeting fellow travellers while exploring with an expert guide.
• Group Size: Up to 25 guests (walking) and up to 8 per punt
• Excludes: College entry, food and drinks, gratuities

Option 2: Private Walking + Punting Tour (Classic Route)

• Duration: Approximately 2 hours
• Includes:
  • 90-minute private alumni-led walking tour
  • 30–60 minute private chauffeured punting tour
• Languages: English, Mandarin, Spanish + additional languages upon request
• Shares the same characteristics as Option 1

Option 3: Private Bespoke Combined Tour & Oxford Experience

We specialise in fully tailored private Oxford experiences, far beyond standard tour formats.

These may include:

•  Multi-language tours (Mandarin, Spanish, and more)
•  Prospective student, school, and university group visits
•  Corporate experiences and executive away days
•  Celebration experiences (birthdays, proposals, anniversaries)
•  VIP half-day, full-day, or multi-day itineraries

For premium experiences, we can arrange:

• Dedicated alumni guide for extended durations
• Private dining and restaurant reservations
• College entry and curated academic access (where possible)
• Accommodation and transport coordination
• Multi-city itineraries (Cambridge, Oxford, London)

Each experience is tailored to your:

• Interests and academic focus
• Group type and occasion
• Language requirements
• Schedule and preferred pace

Optional Add-On for all tours

• New College entry (subject to availability)

Create Your Own Bespoke Experience

📧 Contact us at [email protected] with your request, including:

• Group size
• Preferred dates
• Occasion (e.g. proposal, academic visit, celebration)
• Academic or thematic interests
• Any VIP or logistical requirements

Our team will design a fully personalised Oxford experience for you.

Full Description

Experience the very best of Oxford in one seamless, all-in-one tour combining our full Oxford Walking Tour with a relaxing chauffeured punting experience along the River Cherwell.

This experience includes all the highlights and features of our Oxford Walking Tour, enhanced with the added benefit of a scenic punting journey, giving you a complete introduction to the city from both its historic streets and its waterways.

Your tour begins in central Oxford, where you will meet your student or graduate guide and set off on a 90-minute walking tour. Led by Oxford University students and alumni, this experience combines rich historical insight with authentic knowledge of student life, traditions, and culture.

As part of the walking tour, you will explore Oxford’s most iconic landmarks and, when open, enter the Divinity School, one of the University’s most impressive Gothic interiors. Guests also have the option to upgrade their experience with entry into New College, offering access to one of Oxford’s most historic and visually striking colleges.

After the walking tour, you will be directed to the departure point for your punting experience.

For guests who wish to deepen their experience, there is an optional add-on to enter New College (subject to availability). Founded in 1379, New College can offer access to medieval cloisters, gardens, and a chapel reflecting Oxford’s deep academic and religious heritage. When selected and open on the day, this option adds a further layer of immersion within the college walls.

From the boathouse, you will board a traditional punt and glide along the River Cherwell, passing the Oxford Botanic Garden, Magdalen College School fields, and the peaceful landscapes of Christ Church Meadows. This area is closely associated with Lewis Carroll, who developed Alice in Wonderland while teaching in Oxford.

You will then continue past the gardens of St Hilda’s College before returning to the boathouse.

The shared tour offers a structured and engaging experience alongside other travellers, while the private option provides a more personalised journey with flexibility, deeper discussion, and the ability to tailor the pace and focus of your tour.

Private tours can also be customised further, allowing for additional college entries, specific academic interests, or bespoke itineraries.

Itinerary

Part 1: Walking Tour

• Central Oxford Viewpoints – Explore the historic medieval heart and bustling High Street.
• Balliol College (Exterior) – Admire the grand Gothic facade of one of Oxford’s oldest colleges.
• Sheldonian Theatre (Exterior) – View Christopher Wren’s 17th-century masterpiece for graduations.
• Bridge of Sighs Viewpoint – One of Oxford’s most photographed landmarks.
• Bodleian Library Grand Courtyard – Step into the majestic Schools Quadrangle of the world-famous library.
• Radcliffe Camera (Exterior) – See Oxford’s most famous circular landmark and stunning square.
• University Church (Subject to availability) – View the historic spiritual center and its ornate medieval spire.
• Merton College (Exterior) – Discover the ancient stone walls of a 13th-century academic gem.
• Christ Church Meadows (Views) – Enjoy scenic river views and the city’s most famous skyline.

Part 2: Punting Tour

• Traditional chauffeured punt on the River Cherwell
• Christ Church Meadows
• Oxford Botanic Garden (views)
• Magdalen College School fields (views)
• St Hilda’s College gardens (views)
• Return to the Boathouse

Who This Tour Is For

• Couples and families
• Visitors looking for a unique evening experience
• History enthusiasts
• Guests interested in the collegiate system and the ancient university
• Future applicant aiming to experience Oxford from the inside
• International travellers
• Alumni visitors
• First-time visitors to Oxford
• Nature and landscape lovers
• Private groups and celebrations
• Birthday parties and Dos
• Proposals and romantic occasions
• Corporate and VIP guests
• Travellers seeking a premium, relaxing experience

Practical Information

Meeting Point:
Outside 11 Broad Street, Oxford, next to the red mailbox.

Duration:
2.30 – 3.30 hours

Group Size:
Up to 25 guests per walking tour guide; punts up to 4 per boat

Languages Available:
Tours are conducted in English. Mandarin and Spanish are available when selected at booking; other languages are available upon request.

Accessibility:
Accessible for wheelchair users; may not be suitable for those with limited mobility

Why Choose Alumni Tours

• ✔ Includes all features of our Oxford Walking Tour plus punting
• ✔ Led by Oxford University students and graduates
• ✔ Entry into key sites such as Divinity School (subject to availability)
• ✔ Flexible shared and private options
• ✔ Fully bespoke experiences available
• ✔ Professional, rigorously trained chauffeurs
• ✔ High-quality, safe, and well-organised tours
• ✔ Ideal for both sightseeing and special occasions
• ✔ Trusted operator with thousands of excellent reviews

🎟️ Book your combined tour today and experience Oxford at its finest.

What’s Included

• Professional private alumni guide
• Entry into Divinity School (subject to availability)
• Historical insights and storytelling
• 30-60 minutes punting tour
• Live commentary throughout

What’s Not Included

• College entry fees
• New College entry (unless selected)
• Food and drinks (available for purchase or BYO)
• Gratuities

Upgrades & Add-Ons

• Private bespoke Oxford day experiences
• Cambridge + Oxford private tours
• VIP academic-led experiences
• Concierge travel planning

Check-In & Arrival Information

Please arrive 5–10 minutes before your scheduled start time.

Your guide will be wearing royal blue Alumni Tours uniform items (jacket, cap, scarf, or beanie) featuring the Alumni Tours crest.

If you are running late, please contact us as soon as possible.

Additional Information

What to Bring:

• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Comfortable walking shoes

Special Requirements:
Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult

Health & Safety:
The tour takes place on historic streets which may include uneven surfaces or cobblestones

Important Information

College Entry:
Entry to Divinity School is subject to availability and university opening times.

Weather Policy:
Tours operate rain or shine

Late Arrival:
Late arrivals may miss part or all of the tour

Route Variations:
Routes may vary depending on access, weather, or events

Behaviour:
We reserve the right to remove guests who disrupt the experience

Liability:
Guests participate at their own risk

FAQ

What makes this tour different?
Our guides are Oxford alumni or students, offering an informed and authentic perspective grounded in real history and folklore.

Do we go inside colleges?
No, this tour focuses on exterior locations only.

How long is the tour?
Approximately 90 minutes.

Is this a shared or private tour?
Both options are available.

Can the private tour be customised?
Yes, private tours can be tailored. Please contact [email protected]

What languages are available?
Standard tours are conducted in English; Mandarin and Spanish are available when selected. 

Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it is suitable for all ages.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?
Yes, the tour runs in all weather conditions.

Contact & Confirmation Notes

Communications:
Please provide an email address and phone number that you can access regularly, as we may need to communicate updates. While we are responsible for sending updates, it is the guest’s responsibility to check for and receive these communications.

Cancellations & Refunds:
For small groups, cancellations made 24 hours or more in advance are eligible for a full refund. Larger groups may require a longer cancellation notice period. Please contact management to confirm the applicable cut-off time.

Guests must check in on time and at the correct meeting point or risk missing the tour and needing to purchase new tickets. Traffic or train delays will not qualify for reimbursement or rebooking.

Please arrive at least 5 minutes early.

✆ +44 1223 787270
📧 [email protected]
alumni.tours