Top Oxford Water Tours

Set sail for a romantic cruise through the heart of Oxford—and pair your sightseeing with a classic afternoon tea—on this unique, two-in-one boat tour. Tuck into English teatime treats such as finger sandwiches and scones with jam and clotted cream as you glide downstream. Following a scenic route along the University Regatta Course, discover Oxford’s greenery and admire views of the University Boat Houses, Christ Church Meadows, and Iffley lock.

Enjoy the iconic Oxford experience of punting on the River Cherwell without doing the hard work on this private tour led by an Oxford University student. Relax and take in views of key landmarks, colleges, and literary inspirations as you glide along the river with your student guide directing the punt.

Combine a walking tour of Oxford with the iconic experience of punting on the River Cherwell, all thanks to this time-saving, two-in-one tour. Learn about the storied university and academic life as you follow your student or alumnus guide through Oxford's colleges and historic highlights. Afterwards, enjoy a chauffeured punting tour along the Cherwell River. Upgrade to include entry into New College for the full experience.

Enjoy a relaxed, hassle-free evening in Oxford with this river cruise and dinner combination that takes care of both sightseeing and dining in one seamless experience. Cruise along the River Thames while sipping chilled prosecco and taking in peaceful views of Christchurch Meadows and the university boathouses. Afterward, head to a highly regarded city-center restaurant for a delicious three-course meal—perfect for making the most of your time without juggling separate bookings.

Admire Oxford from the water on this cruise, and see a side to the city that many travelers miss. Float along the tranquil Thames River as your skipper points out places of interest such as Christchurch College, the Meadows, Port Meadow, and Folly Bridge—which you can enjoy without having to jostle the land-based crowds. A picnic lunch midway keeps you fueled throughout.

Punting is a great leisure activity, a great tradition amongst the people in summer. An experienced punter will guide you down the Idilic river Cherwell whilst you enjoy the beautiful scenery and if you so choose you can bring along a picnic. Feeding the waterfowl (swans, ducks, moorhens and geese) is allowed but please refrain from touching the waterbirds are some are protected species.

Exploring Oxford’s historic streets and colleges can be confusing on foot, especially if you’re short on time. This hop-on hop-off bus tour makes it easy to get around the city while seeing its top sights, with a choice of 24- or 48-hour passes that let you create your own itinerary. Ride past highlights such as University of Oxford colleges (including filming locations from the “Harry Potter™” movies), Oxford Castle, and the Bodleian Library, one of the world’s oldest public libraries.

Learn about the making of Harry Potter at Oxford with this private walking tour. Visit filming locations in the Divinity School and the secondary film site at the Bodleian Library, with entry to another college if the Divinity School or Christ Church is closed on certain dates. Includes entry to Christ Church College, with tickets worth up to £27, which you can explore independently with a self-guided audio tour.

This tour offers something few others do: the chance to experience Oxford both on foot and from the water, all in one visit. Enjoy a full Oxford experience by combining our 90-minute student- or graduate-led college walking tour with a 30-minute chauffeured punting tour—a perfect way to take in the city’s history and beauty. The tour is outdoors. If selected when booking, AFTER THE WALKING TOUR ENDS, your experience can be enriched with a self-guided visit to New College, one of the university’s most historic and picturesque colleges. Then, without needing to plan a separate activity, you’ll step into a traditional punt and be taken along Oxford’s quieter, greener side. As you glide past the Botanic Gardens, Christ Church Meadows, and the banks where Lewis Carroll once walked, you’ll see a view of the city that most walking tours simply don’t reach. It’s a well-balanced way to enjoy both Oxford’s rich academic tradition and its peaceful riverside setting—all in a single experience.