Private | Oxford University Punting Tour

PRIVATE OXFORD PUNTING TOUR ON THE RIVER CHERWELL – EXCLUSIVE & CHAUFFEURED

Key Highlights

• Fully private tour with customisable route and timing when arranged in advance.
• Chauffeured punt operated by professional punters
• Scenic river views past Christ Church Meadows and college gardens
• Entertaining live commentary from expert chauffeurs
• Bring your own refreshments or purchase drinks at the pontoon
• Ideal for birthdays, hen parties, and private celebrations
• Perfect for proposals, anniversaries, and romantic experiences
• Perfect for families, solo adventurers, and Oxford first-timers

Tour Options

Option 1: Private Punting Tour

• Duration: Approximately 30 minutes.
• Includes:
  • 30-minute private punting tour.
• Languages: Standard English; additional languages are subject to guide availability and proficiency.
• Fully private experience tailored to your group.
• Group Size: Up to 4 guests.
• Excludes: Entry to non-pre-booked colleges, food and drinks, and gratuities.

Option 2: Extended Private Punting Tour

• Duration: Approximately 60 minutes.
• Includes:
  • 60-minute private punting tour.
• Languages: Standard English; additional languages are subject to guide availability and proficiency.
• Fully private experience tailored to your group.
• Group Size: Up to 4 guests.
• Excludes: Entry to non-pre-booked colleges, food and drinks, and gratuities.

Option 3: Private Bespoke Punting & 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 upon request)
•  Subject-focused academic tours (science, engineering, law, medicine, humanities, arts)
•  School, university, and prospective student programmes
•  Corporate experiences and executive away days
•  Celebration experiences (birthdays, hen parties, proposals)
•  VIP half-day, full-day, or multi-day itineraries

For premium bookings, we can arrange:

• Dedicated alumni guides for extended experiences
• 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 can be 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
• Dates and timing
• Occasion (e.g. proposal, birthday, academic visit)
• Academic or thematic interests
• Any VIP or logistical requests

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

Full Description

Enjoy an exclusive private punting tour along the gentle waters of the River Cherwell. As you glide south from the boathouse, your dedicated chauffeur will guide the punt smoothly along the riverbank, offering your group uninterrupted, private views of Oxford’s most beautiful and historic landscapes. Along the route, you will pass the Oxford Botanic Garden, the oldest in the United Kingdom, with its iconic glasshouses and carefully maintained plant collections. Continuing downstream, the tour moves past the playing fields of Magdalen College School before entering the peaceful expanse of Christ Church Meadows.

This tranquil stretch of river is deeply connected to Oxford’s literary history, as Lewis Carroll spent time along these waters while teaching at Christ Church during the period he wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. As the river bends, you will pass the gardens of St Hilda’s College before returning gently toward the boathouse. Lasting approximately 30 minutes, with the option to extend to 60 minutes subject to availability, this completely personal experience gives your group dedicated use of the punt and chauffeur. You are welcome to bring your own drinks and refreshments on board, making it a peaceful, tailored loop through Oxford’s most enchanting scenery—ideal for romantic occasions, family outings, and special celebrations alike.

Itinerary

• 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
  • The punt tour can be extended by a further 30 minutes if arranged before booking, continuing south towards the Isis — Oxford’s name for the River Thames — where the river opens out.

Who This Tour Is For

• Couples and families
• Private groups and celebrations
• Birthday parties and Dos
• Proposals and romantic occasions
• Corporate and VIP guests
• Travellers seeking a premium, relaxing experience
• International travellers
• First-time visitors to Oxford
• Alumni visitors
• Nature and landscape lovers

Practical Information

Meeting Point:
Magdalen Bridge Boathouse, High St, Oxford OX1 4AU.

Group Size:
Up to 4 guests per boat

Languages Available:
Standard English; additional languages are subject to guide availability and proficiency.

Accessibility:
Wheelchairs remain at the pontoon; staff can assist with boarding

Why Choose Alumni Tours

• ✔ Private and shared experiences tailored for every traveler
• ✔ Professional, rigorously trained chauffeurs
• ✔ High-quality, safe, and well-organised tours
• ✔ Ideal for both sightseeing and special occasions

🎟️ Book your punting tour today and experience Oxford from the water.

What’s Included

• Chauffeured punting tour
• Professional punter
• Live commentary throughout the journey

What’s Not Included

• Gratuities
• Food and drinks on the punt (available for purchase or BYO)

Upgrades & Add-Ons

• New College self-guided visit (subject to availability; access anytime during the day before closing)
• Extend the punting to 60 minutes (it must be requested at the time of booking)
• 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 at Magdalen Bridge Boathouse.

Upon arrival, provide your booking name and confirmation details to the staff. Your chauffeur will check you in and begin the tour promptly.

If you are running late, please contact us as soon as possible. Delays unrelated to the company’s responsibility are not covered by refunds. If you are late, we will not be able to guide you over the phone to catch up with the group, so please be on time.

Additional Information

What to Bring:

• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Comfortable walking shoes

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

Health & Safety:
Please follow all safety instructions provided by your chauffeur during boarding and throughout the tour

Important Information

Weather Policy:
Tours operate rain or shine

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

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

Liability:
Guests participate at their own risk

FAQ

What makes this punting tour different?
Our chauffeured punting experience is led by professional Oxford punters who combine skilled river navigation with engaging commentary about Oxford’s colleges, traditions, and riverside history along the River Cherwell.

How long is the tour?
Approximately 30 minutes (or up to 60 minutes if you select the extended version).

Can we bring drinks on board?
Yes, and additional refreshments may also be available for purchase.

Is this a private tour?
Yes, the punt is reserved exclusively for your group.

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

What languages are available?
Punting tours are subject to guide availability and linguistic proficiency.

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