Quick Details
Duration: 90 minutes without Christ Church entry or 150 minutes with Christ Church entry
Departure Times: 9:00 then every hour, until 17:00
Meeting Point: Red Post Box, Broad Street, Oxford
Important information:
- Dress accordingly for the weather and wear comfortable shoes
- Please arrive 5 minutes early to check-in
Private Tours
Private Tour for Prospective Students
LIVE THE HISTORY
In just an hour walk through pivotal moments of human history: from petty and outlandish rivalries to architectural masterpieces with confusing names. See the lamp-post which inspired Narnia and the architecture which has inspired His Dark Materials. Visit the meadows where Lewis Caroll first recounted the story of Alice in Wonderland. Marvel at some of the world’s greatest examples of Gothic and Baroque architecture. Inspiring, baffling, and downright outrageous: Oxford is a city full of stories waiting to be told.
THE STUDENT’S STORY
Oxford is nothing without its students, and it’s the students who make our walking tours so special. All our tour guides are either graduates of or current students at the University of Oxford who combine their personal experiences of the city with their deep passion for its history, architecture, and stories to provide a one-of-a-kind tour. Combining a deep passion for the city’s history and architecture with the knowledge you hear all about what the students really get up to – from BOPS to secret societies and which all-night library permits outside snacks. Which college is the poshest one, and which is the oldest? Which one has traditions designed only to mock the traditions of other colleges? As well as hearing it all from the horse’s mouth, you get to see inside colleges, with highlights including the beautiful Jesus college gardens. This is the real Oxford, experienced as a student, through busy streets and college grounds.
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
A private walking tour of Oxford is perfect for prospective students who would like to understand the application process, what to expect in the interview or have any questions about student life. The tour is led by someone that has once been in their position and gone on to graduate successfully. Your guide helps you in any way they can to make sure you are moving forward with your application. We also try to find a guide that has studied the same subject of your interest.
BESPOKE TOURS
Tailored to your needs and objectives, our private tour can be completely personalised by visiting your specific places of interest or choosing from our selection of themed tours. Alternatively, you may choose to stick with our classic 90-minute tour route.
If you would like to personalise your private Oxford tour, please get in touch here.
Our classic 90-minute tour covers some of the following highlights:
- Balliol College
- Trinity College
- The Sheldonian Theatre
- Hertford College
- The Bodleian Library
- The Radcliffe Camera
- All Souls
- Jesus College
- Oriel College
- Merton College
- Exeter College
- Christchurch Meadows
- Sites of literary inspiration, and more…
If you are looking to book a large group or have any special requirements please call us at +441223 787270 or get in touch here for a specialised quote.
PRIVATE OXFORD UNIVERSITY WALKING TOUR LED BY ALUMNI – BESPOKE & FLEXIBLE
Key Highlights
- Fully private tour with a dedicated Oxford alumni guide
- Explore Oxford’s most renowned colleges and historic landmarks
- Flexible pacing with personalised academic or cultural focus
- Ideal for families, schools, universities, and corporate groups
- Optional New College entry add-on available
- Perfect for private celebrations, birthdays, and group occasions
- Ideal for proposals, anniversaries, and special moments in Oxford
- Multi-language tours available on request
- Subject-focused tours tailored to academic interests
Tour Options
Option 1: Private Oxford Walking Tour
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Includes: Private guided walking tour led by an alumni guide
- Excludes: College entry, food and drinks, gratuities
Option 2: Private Oxford Walking Tour + New College Entry
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Includes: Private walking tour plus New College entry
- Excludes: Food and drinks, gratuities
Bespoke & VIP Private Tour Options
We specialise in fully tailored private Oxford experiences, designed around your group, occasion, and level of depth.
These may include:
- Multi-language tours (Mandarin, Spanish, and more)
- Subject-focused academic tours (science, engineering, law, medicine, humanities, arts)
- 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
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
Discover the historic heart of Oxford with complete flexibility on a private walking tour led by University alumni and academically trained guides. Designed for visitors who want depth rather than surface-level sightseeing, this experience combines world-famous landmarks with genuine insight into how Oxford University actually functions today.
As you walk through the architectural centre of the city, you will encounter celebrated sights including the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian Theatre, and the Bridge of Sighs. Along the way, your guide explains not only the history of these buildings, but how the collegiate system operates, what makes the tutorial method unique, and what admissions and student life are truly like.
The tour includes stops outside landmark colleges such as Balliol College and Merton College, as well as views of Radcliffe Square and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. You will also explore quieter lanes, historic gates, and hidden corners that reveal the atmosphere of collegiate Oxford beyond its postcard views. Honest discussion of traditions, rivalries, academic expectations, and daily routines provides clarity rarely found in guidebooks.
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 offers access to medieval cloisters, gardens, and a chapel reflecting Oxford’s deep academic heritage. When selected and open, this option allows you to step inside one of the University’s most architecturally striking colleges.
The tour can also be tailored to specific academic themes such as sciences, humanities, law, engineering, medicine, or the arts, making it particularly valuable for prospective students and academic visitors.
For special occasions, this experience also provides a unique setting for celebrations, milestone events, or proposals within one of the world’s most historic university cities.
By the end of the tour, you will not only have seen Oxford’s most iconic landmarks, but you will understand how the University functions, what distinguishes its colleges, and why Oxford continues to shape global thought today — with the option to step inside one of its most historic institutions.
Itinerary
- Central Oxford streets and landmarks
- Balliol College (exterior)
- Sheldonian Theatre (exterior)
- Bridge of Sighs viewpoint
- Bodleian Library Grand Courtyard
- Radcliffe Camera & Radcliffe Square
- University Church of St Mary the Virgin (exterior)
- Merton College (exterior)
- Christ Church Meadow (views)
Who This Tour Is For
- Families and private visitors
- Schools, colleges, and university groups
- Corporate groups and academic delegations
- Prospective students and their families
- Alumni groups and VIP guests
- Couples and special occasions (proposals, anniversaries)
- Birthday celebrations and private events
Practical Information
Meeting Point:
Outside 11 Broad Street, Oxford, next to the red mailbox.
Duration:
90 minutes
Group Size:
Private tour (up to 25 guests per guide)
Languages Available:
English, Mandarin, Spanish and other languages upon request.
Accessibility:
Mostly accessible for wheelchair users; may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
Why Choose Alumni Tours
- ✔ Led by Oxford alumni and academically trained guides
- ✔ Fully private and tailored experience
- ✔ Ideal for academic, cultural, and celebratory visits
- ✔ Flexible pacing and subject-focused touring available
- ✔ Trusted operator with thousands of positive reviews
🎟️ Book your private Oxford walking tour today for a personalised and insightful experience.
What’s Included
- Professional alumni guide
- 90-minute guided walking tour
- Historical insights and storytelling
- Entry to New College (when you book this option)
What’s Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Upgrades & Add-Ons
- New College entry
- 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
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.
Is this suitable for special occasions?
Yes, it is ideal for proposals, celebrations, and milestone visits.
Can this be tailored?
Yes, tours can be customised to academic subjects, interests, or group type.
Is this private?
Yes, exclusively for your group.
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.