Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) in Oxford, United Kingdom
Oxford, United Kingdom

Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration)

Outty Ranking 48 3.3 · 3 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $170
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Outty Ranking

48/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.3/5

Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) worth booking?

Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) is a 2-hour experience in Oxford, United Kingdom, from $170 per person. It scores 48 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.3/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
48 / 100
Rating
3.3/5 (3)
Duration
2 hours
From
$170 per person

Punting on the river is how students enjoy themselves after finishing their exams. What more unique way to experience Oxford than this. Your chauffeur guide will take you punting or rowing for one hour then join our walking tour. See the city of dreaming spires both from the beautiful views of the river at a leisurely pace with a relaxing river trip in the comfort of your private group. See Oxford skyline plus Christchurch & Christchurch meadows. You can select either to meet the guide for the chauffeured river trip as a private group before or after the shared walking tour- please select either 10.30am or 12.45 start time. Your guide will walk you to Magdalen boathouse & tell you about Oxbridge's rowing traditions & the origins of the story of Alice in Wonderland, which resulted from just such an outing on the river on July 4th 1862. Option also exists to request boat trip to take place before the walking tour- upon request, when you book. Max 3-4 persons + guide per boat.

What you get

    About this experience

    Punting on the river is how students enjoy themselves after finishing their exams. What more unique way to experience Oxford than this. Your chauffeur guide will take you punting or rowing for one hour then join our walking tour. See the city of dreaming spires both from the beautiful views of the river at a leisurely pace with a relaxing river trip in the comfort of your private group. See Oxford skyline plus Christchurch & Christchurch meadows. You can select either to meet the guide for the chauffeured river trip as a private group before or after the shared walking tour- please select either 10.30am or 12.45 start time. Your guide will walk you to Magdalen boathouse & tell you about Oxbridge's rowing traditions & the origins of the story of Alice in Wonderland, which resulted from just such an outing on the river on July 4th 1862. Option also exists to request boat trip to take place before the walking tour- upon request, when you book. Max 3-4 persons + guide per boat.

    What's included

    Included

    • Please note dates below under section of graduation, university open days, Xmas holidays!
    • Life jackets are available free of charge for the boats, by request. Water level averages 2-6 feet
    • Max 4-5 persons + guide per boat. Any larger groups, ask viator to call us up for a quote!

    Not included

    • If you opt to request the 1 hour boat hire to handle the boat yourself, please note that if you don't return the boat within the one hour period, the boathouse may use its discretion to charge you a late return penalty fee. This is your responsibility therefore to ensure that you proactively keep an eye on how much time you have left and ensure that you can return the boat along the river in time before your hire period ends.
    • No food or drink is included on this tour but the boathouse do offer you opportunity to pay for a picnic hamper & likewise, you may opt to bring your own food & drink onto the boat. If you opt to choose 1 hour boat hire, you are responsible for safe & sensible drinking of any alcohol and responsible handling of the boat, to ensure that you do not damage the boat or other boats & do not lose the oars etc. We cannot be responsible for any penalties which the boathouse (a third party) might see fit to charge you, if you should cause them damages.
    • In case of bad weather: unfortunately, we don't permit cancellations but if you give us at least 24 hours notice, then we will accept requests to reschedule the date. If weather forecast suggests heavy rain & if you cannot reschedule to another date, we will alternatively let you book onto any alternative tour activity which is also running, such as to join a tour inside Christchurch.
    • We can only fit max 4-5 clients + guide per boat, so larger groups, please ask viator to call us up!
    • On graduation dates, we may not always be able to enter a college so see graduation dates below:
    • 2026 Graduation dates includes...
    • May 16 + 17 + 31, July 19 + 29, Aug 1 + 2 + 9, Sep 26 + 27, Nov 7+ 8+9+14 +15 of 2025
    • We cover your cost to enter either one college or to enter Divinity school. Divinity school closures
    • ...includes 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

    1. River Cherwell

      We hire boats to take you out on the river from the boathouse. Depending on whether you select option to have chauffeured punting or to hire boat to handle yourselves, you will spend from 30-60 minutes in the boat on the river.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Bridge of Sighs

      We pass by and introduce such famous sights as this

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Sheldonian Theatre

      We pass by and introduce such famous sights as this

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Bodleian Library

      We pass by and introduce such famous sights as this

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Radcliffe Camera

      We pass by and introduce such famous sights as this

      Pass by without stopping

    6. University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

      We pass by and introduce such famous sights as this and we might also visit inside the church too

      5 minutes here

    7. Magdalen College

      We pass by and introduce such famous sights as this but we don't visit inside this college on this tour

      Pass by without stopping

    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 guide will give you a free Oxford map plus offer you help directions to wherever you need to go to next.

    Options you can book

    • 12.45 Walk + 3pm Guided Boat

      12.45 Walk tour + 3pm Boat: 12.45 shared walking tour + our guided boat tour with chauffeur at 3pm

    • 10.30 Boat + 12.45 Walk Tour

      10.30am Boat + 12.45 Walk Tour: 10/30am Boat trip private group chauffeured punting last one hour + 12.45 shared walking tour lasting up to 2 hours

    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

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • In case of bad weather: unfortunately, we don't permit cancellations but if you give us at least 24 hours notice, then we will accept requests to reschedule the date. If weather forecast suggests heavy rain & if you cannot reschedule to another date, we will alternatively let you book onto any alternative tour activity which is also running, such as to join a tour inside Christchurch.
    • Please note the river is on average about 6 feet (2m) deep, so any children will automatically be offered a lifebelt but you must notify us if any adults or children in your group cannot swim. Please advise us of this fact, when you book & when you meet the guide & when the boathouse prepare your boat!
    • The default schedule for this tour is to first join either the 12.30 walking tour or the 2.30pm walking tour and then the guide will walk you to the boathouse. If your schedule requires you to instead take the boat trip in the morning before you join the walking tour, then you must make this request known and advise what time you can meet us (any time from 10am onwards)
    • PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME:
    • Please arrive 5 minutes early for your tour at our meeting point. If you arrive more than 5 minutes later than the scheduled tour, then you will likely forfeit and lose your booking as it interrupts the guide and other customers, if we are trying to find you after a guide has started and left the meeting point.
    • INFO FOR DRIVERS AND PARKING:
    • If you are driving, then please allow extra 30-60 minutes over whatever time you think it will take you to get here. Oxford is NOT car friendly and it is congested roads and hard to find parking spaces....unless you park at the sign posted 'park and rides' on edge of town on any major road into the city and hop on their buses into city centre. The park and ride buses leave every 15 or every 30 minutes and take anything from 10 min to 30 min (depending on traffic) to reach city centre. So if you are going to drive, then please assume you should be aiming to park your car about one hour before your tour starts.
    • PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
    • We actually recommend instead using the much faster and reliable train services but again please aim to arrive about an hour or earlier before your tour starts as trains can be delayed and the train and coach station are about 15 minutes walk from our meeting point. There is also the coach service from London called the Oxford Tube which leaves every half hour or more but it can take much longer than its advertised 105 minute journey time. It drops you off either at High street Oxford or Gloucester Green coach station. It's quicker to ask to get off on High street near Carfax tower, then it's a 10 minutes walk to Broad street.
    • Max 3-4 persons + guide per boat. Any larger groups, ask viator to call us up for a quote!

    Photos

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    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    2 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    1 mention

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Organization

    1 mention

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Good for families

    1 mention

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Traveler reviews

    3 verified traveler reviews for Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    1
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Thomas_J · June 2023

    Guide never showed up. AWFUL.

    Our tour guide never showed up. He texted 40 minutes after the start time to offer a “mini” tour. When we requested a refund Viator only offered 50%! Why on earth should we have to pay anything at all. I will NEVER book with them again and will warn others to avoid them at all costs. What a way to ruin our day in Oxford.

    Response from the operator: Hi Thomas, You were sent clear simple instructions of the names and number of your guides for your boat tour and then for your walking tour. I also texted you before the tour too. You never replied to any texts nor any messages. It's true that on the day of the tour, unfortunately the morning guide made an error and mixed up the start time. He informed me that when he had realised he had mixed up 11am start with 11.30, he called and texted you starting about 11.20am to apologise and to ask if you could wait until 11.30. He then realised that this would not provide adequate time to take you out for the usual full one hour on the river before you would have to return to meet the scheduled walking tour with the next guide. This is why he therefore offered to either give you a reduced shorter duration boat trip or to instead meet him later in the day after your walking tour had ended. I am really sorry and your boat guide already also apologised to you for the error which he made. I have no idea why he mixed up the start times but I did immediately take responsibility to refund you, the first activity completely. This is why I notified you that I was refunding you, 100% of your payment for the boat trip. However, I informed you why I was not going to refund you 100%- namely because you didn't show up yourselves for the 12.30 walking tour. Your morning guide, Ales, felt responsible enough to still turn up for the other guide's tour, in order to meet you in person to apologise that way too and to introduce you to your afternoon guide called Jean. However, you never showed up at 12.30. We sent you lots of communications and you only responded with a single text and no other messages and no call backs. Both myself and both the scheduled guides tried to call and or text you before or on the day and you didn't answer a single phone call attempt by us. You could have told us that morning, when the boat tour was unfortunately late, that you also wished to cancel the afternoon tour. However, you made no such communication and you simply ignored questions and info sent to you too..except to irately complain (understandably) when your morning guide apologised for being late and then to irately complain to me, when I offered you full refund of the first activity. Your morning guide spontaneously agreed to waive his guide fee but your afternoon guide turned up on time and waited for you and tried to call you and text you and got no response. He was therefore paid in full. Once again, I am sorry that your morning activity didn't go to plan but the customer is not god. You could and you should have made more reasonable steps to communicate with us. You said that you are going to contest the payment with you credit card provider. That's your right to do so but as far as I am concerned, I already offered you a refund of the activity which was not delivered and we also did attempt to offer you opportunity to reschedule it too. Moreover, I also offered you the opportunity to rebook at a future date at no cost but you simply declined to even reply to all these offers to placate. My first responsibility is to my staff and they all work freelance gig work paid as and when they make a commitment. If you don't show up for a scheduled activity such as the afternoon walking tour, I will always pay my staff in full. Thus, I cannot offer you a full refund.

    via Viator

    Z6673ZZjamesc · April 2019

    Punting / Walking Tour

    Met guide at agreed time and place, then had a very informative tour culminating in a fantastic hour punting with a very capable chauffeur. Trip was well organised and enjoyable. Good communication with the company throughout.

    Response from the operator: Hi James, Thanks so much for recommending your river tour activity with us this week. I am glad you had good weather for your chauffeured punting trip too.

    via Tripadvisor

    whiterose39 · June 2018

    Row Row Row your boat

    We visited this place with, and all excitedly went on the boats, it looked like the boats in venice. I didnt go as the boat were a wee bit small and i am a plus size lady, I sat there and enjoyed the scenery, the strong wind, it was very cold. I managed to talk to the owner, it belong to him and his family, he is the 3rd generation. 2 beautiful wild ducks kept me company, they kept coming and sitting next to me.

    Response from the operator: The weather has been quite Italian this month too! Thanks for sharing your experience of Oxford with us.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $170 to $200
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Visit Oxford Tours, who run 31 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 56.2.

    See everything Visit Oxford Tours runs

    Why this scores 48

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)68
    Review evidence (18% weight)19
    Booking momentum (14% weight)11
    Value for money (12% weight)30
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)26
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration): questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oxford.

    How much does Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) cost?

    +

    Prices start at $170 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 Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) take?

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    Plan for about 2 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 Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 48 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.3/5 across 3 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 Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration)?

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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 Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration)?

    +

    Around 1 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?

    +

    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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration)?

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    Included: Please note dates below under section of graduation, university open days, Xmas holidays!; Life jackets are available free of charge for the boats, by request. Water level averages; and Max 4-5 persons + guide per boat. Any larger groups, ask viator to call us up for a quote!. Not included: If you opt to request the 1 hour boat hire to handle the boat yourself, please note that i; No food or drink is included on this tour but the boathouse do offer you opportunity to pa; In case of bad weather: unfortunately, we don't permit cancellations but if you give us at; and We can only fit max 4-5 clients + guide per boat, so larger groups, please ask viator to c. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration)?

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    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 is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration)?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration) if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Oxford. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration)?

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    Across 3 reviews averaging 3.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    What booking options are available for Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration)?

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    There are 2 options to choose from, including 12.45 Walk + 3pm Guided Boat, 10.30 Boat + 12.45 Walk Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Walking Tour Combined with River Punting Rowing (3 hours duration).

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