Oxford rewards curiosity — and the best way to understand it is through both its streets and its river. This combined Oxford walking and punting tour brings together a 90-minute alumni-led walking tour with a traditional chauffeured punt along the River Cherwell, creating one of the most complete Oxford University introductions available.
Begin on foot with a walking tour designed and delivered by Oxford graduates and academically trained guides. This is not surface-level commentary. You will gain real insight into how Oxford works today — including the collegiate system, the tutorial method, admissions realities, and the traditions that continue to shape student life. As you explore the architectural heart of the University, you will encounter celebrated landmarks such as the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian Theatre, and the Bridge of Sighs, alongside historic college quadrangles and hidden corners that reveal the character of the city beyond its postcard views.
After the walking tour, the experience softens on the water. During your chauffeured punting tour, you glide along the River Cherwell past Christ Church Meadows and college gardens, discovering Oxford’s most scenic and literary landscapes. These riverbanks are closely tied to the city’s cultural history — including landscapes associated with Lewis Carroll, author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (who taught at Christ Church), and Oscar Wilde, who studied at Magdalen College. Along the way you may pass the Oxford Botanic Garden, Magdalen College School fields, and St Hilda’s College gardens, enjoying an elegant and relaxing river journey that complements the intellectual depth of the walking tour.
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.
Together, the walking tour, punting experience, and optional New College entry create a balanced and authoritative Oxford journey: academically grounded on foot, culturally rich on the river, and immersive within the college environment. Ideal for first-time visitors, families, and culturally curious travellers, this shared combination tour is designed to represent Oxford properly — with depth, clarity, and atmosphere.
