Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 99 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour worth booking?
Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour is a 1.5-hour experience in Oxford, United Kingdom, from $20 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 99 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (99)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $20 per person
This is a small group tour with typically under 5 persons and limited to max 14 persons. Minimum numbers to book may apply to book- currently minimum 3 or 4 adults applies to book. Our competitors run tours with much lar
What you get
- PLEASE SEE EXCLUSIONS SECTION FOR DETAILS OF ANY CLOSURES TO VENUES.
- Entry fee worth up to £5 max per person is included.
- The tour typically visits inside either Balliol or Exeter or St Johns college worth max £3 person
- Your guide will give you a complementary ILoveOxford map, showing you of all the main sights.
About this experience
This is a small group tour with typically under 5 persons and limited to max 14 persons. Minimum numbers to book may apply to book- currently minimum 3 or 4 adults applies to book. Our competitors run tours with much larger numbers than we do, so one advantage of booking our tour, is a more personalised service. This tour will include entry into at least one or more colleges- which college/s will vary from day to day. See Oxford and England's history will be brought alive on this unique small-group guided walking tour of the city and university traditions. See inside colleges with any chargeable entrance fees included in your tour. The 90 to 120-minute long tour will feature storytelling about student life, college traditions, Henry VIII, Bloody Mary, CS Lewis, J.R.R Tolkien and even Harry Potter! Notice: please see What's not included section for details of university graduation dates as most colleges are closed on such dates.
What's included
Included
- PLEASE SEE EXCLUSIONS SECTION FOR DETAILS OF ANY CLOSURES TO VENUES.
- Entry fee worth up to £5 max per person is included.
- The tour typically visits inside either Balliol or Exeter or St Johns college worth max £3 person
- Your guide will give you a complementary ILoveOxford map, showing you of all the main sights.
Not included
- Tour does NOT visit Bodleian, Christ church, Magdalen or New colleges ( which cost £8-£18)
- Christmas notice: colleges are usually all closed from approx Dec 21 to Jan 2nd
- On graduation dates, we may not always be able to enter a college so see graduation dates below:
- 2026 Graduation dates includes....
- Sep 25+ 26, Nov 6 + 7 + 13 + 14 of 2026
- Divinity school will be closed in 2027 on the following dates below...
- Jan 23, Feb 27, March 6, May 14 +15 +22 of 2027
- We cover your cost of either entry inside one college OR entry inside Divinity school but not both!
- Divinity school is closed on all the dates below in 2026:
- Sep 10 + 14+ 15+ 16 + 17+ 20+ 21+ 22+ 23+ 24+ 25 + 26, Nov 6 + 7 +13 + 14 of 2026
What you'll see and do
Wadham College
Which colleges we visit inside will vary from one tour to the next, depending on what is open from day to day. This college is free entry to visit yourselves.
Pass by without stopping
Exeter College
We briefly introduce a range of colleges or sightseeing spots such as this one, on our route. This college is where Tolkien was a student! It's also connected to JK Rowling.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Balliol College
Which colleges we will visit will vary from day to day, depending on what is open from day to day. This college is worth £3 in entry fee and we often visit here during the tour.
Pass by without stopping
Bodleian Library
We introduce the Bodleian and the Divinity school which is a Harry Potter film site at the Bodleian library. It costs £3 to enter the Divinity school and on dates, when no colleges may be open, the tour instead includes entry to the Divinity school. We do NOT visit inside the medieval library as it is not open to private guiding but we do introduce the library history and architecture from outside. We also present info about the filming of Harry Potter here.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Bridge of Sighs
We briefly introduce a range of colleges or sightseeing spots such as this one, on our route.
Pass by without stopping
Radcliffe Camera
An iconic Oxford sight
Pass by without stopping
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
We briefly introduce a range of colleges or sightseeing spots such as this one, on our route.
10 minutes here
Radcliffe Camera
We briefly introduce a range of colleges or sightseeing spots such as this one, on our route.
Pass by without stopping
All Souls College
We briefly introduce a range of colleges or sightseeing spots such as this one, on our route. This college is free entry and we sometimes visit here.
10 minutes here
Brasenose College
We briefly introduce a range of colleges or sightseeing spots such as this one, on our route.
Pass by without stopping
Hertford College
We briefly introduce a range of colleges or sightseeing spots such as this one, on our route.
Pass by without stopping
Jesus College
We briefly introduce a range of colleges or sightseeing spots such as this one, on our route. This college is where...Jesus studied in Oxford!!
5 minutes here · Admission not included
St John's College
We briefly introduce a range of colleges or sightseeing spots such as this one, on our route. This college, we usually visit during the tour, assuming it's open. Its' free entry.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oxford
Meet your guide wearing red lanyard. Meeting next to our black sign, OUTSIDE Oxford Tourist info centre, 15 Broad street, OX1 3AS. This is also next to the Oxfam shop which has a green sign above its shop.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour either ends outside New college or next door outside the Bodleian library.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Visit Oxford Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We cannot always guarantee entry inside any colleges during Covid19 and on graduation dates or Xmas period from approx. Dec 22nd to Jan 2nd
- Please take note of any advertised university graduation dates mentioned below, as those dates can have less options of colleges to visit.
- Graduation dates- please see 'EXCLUSIONS' section.
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $20 to $75
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 35
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oxford.
How much does Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour cost?
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Prices start at $20 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oxford usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Oxford is not rushed.
Is Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 99 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Oxford, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour?
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Around 35 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Oxford can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Oxford and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Oxford City and University Walking Small Group PUBLIC Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Oxford within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Oxford?
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On Outty we rank every Oxford experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cotswolds in a Day Tour from Moreton-in-Marsh / Stratford-on-Avon, Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide, Oxford Official University & City Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Oxford?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Oxford?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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