Oxford: University Walking Tour with Alumni & New College

Summary

Wander Oxford’s dreaming spires with stories from alumni and college life

You’ll join an Oxford graduate or student for a walk through storied streets, learning quirky traditions and hidden details behind iconic spots like Radcliffe Square and Bodleian Library. Hear real student tales, then wander New College’s peaceful grounds on your own if you choose that option. It’s less like a tour, more like borrowing someone else’s memories for an afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous about joining an “Oxford University Walking Tour by Alumni”—I half expected it to be all facts and no fun. But right away, our guide (Tom, in a blue scarf with some kind of shield) cracked a joke about the Radcliffe Camera not being a camera at all. The group laughed, and suddenly the city felt less like a postcard and more like somewhere you could belong for an afternoon. We started outside Balliol College, where the stone felt cold under my hand—maybe it was just the weather or maybe that’s how centuries feel.

Walking through Radcliffe Square, Tom pointed out details I’d never have noticed on my own—like those odd heads on pillars near the Sheldonian Theatre. He asked if we could guess what they were meant to be (I said philosophers; he grinned and said “sort of”). There was this moment when we paused outside the Bodleian Library and he described how students sneak in snacks between 12 million books. I could almost smell old paper mixed with rain. Oxford’s mix of Gothic arches and sudden splashes of Baroque gold really does something to your sense of time—you’re there but also sort of drifting through someone else’s memory.

What surprised me most wasn’t the history (though hearing about tortoise races at Trinity College is something I’ll be telling friends for years), but how much space there is for imagination here. Tom talked about Lewis Carroll wandering these lanes, dreaming up Alice chasing that rabbit. At one point, we heard church bells echoing off the cobbles—one of those sounds you don’t realize you’ve missed until you hear it again. If you book the New College add-on, you end up exploring on your own after the tour wraps up—walking under ancient trees in quiet cloisters where sunlight comes in sideways. I didn’t expect to feel so much just from walking around with strangers and stories.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Oxford University walking tour highlights

• Meet guide outside at red mailbox
• Overview at Balliol College
• Discover traditions at Trinity College
• Learn about busts at Sheldonian Theatre
• Hear about graduation and see Divinity School
• Explore Bodleian Library history
• Admire Radcliffe Camera dome
• Learn about All Souls College exam
• Visit University Church and learn tensions
• Understand protests at controversial college
• See famous sites and powerful figures
• Optional self-guided visit to New College

Top questions

How long is the Oxford University walking tour?

The main walking tour lasts about 90 minutes through central Oxford.

Is entry to New College included?

Entry to New College is only included if you select that option during booking.

Who leads this Oxford walking tour?

The tour is led by current Oxford students or graduates who share personal experiences and knowledge.

What are some landmarks visited on this tour?

You’ll see Balliol College, Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Library, Sheldonian Theatre, Trinity College, All Souls College, and more.

Is this Oxford walking tour wheelchair accessible?

The route is mostly wheelchair accessible except for one small area; some parts of New College may be difficult due to uneven surfaces.

Where do we meet our guide?

You meet outside 11 Broad Street at the red pillar mailbox; look for your guide wearing royal blue with a heraldic shield.

Can infants join the walking tour?

Yes, infants can join in a pram or stroller; service animals are also allowed.

How far is New College from where the tour ends?

New College is generally 10–15 minutes away from the end point of the main walking route.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk led by an Oxford student or graduate who shares both personal stories and university history as you explore famous exteriors like Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library; if selected when booking, you’ll also get self-guided entry to New College at the end of your walk for extra time among its historic gardens and cloisters.