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The Original Uncomfortable Oxford™ Tour

The Original Uncomfortable Oxford™ Tour

Oxford, England

The Original Uncomfortable Oxford™ Tour

Recommended by 96% of travelers
Oxford, England
  • 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Discover many of Oxford’s key landmarks—and venture beyond the material covered by most walking tours when you explore topics like colonialism, racism, and inequality in the context of the city’s history and the university’s past—on this immersive, small-group walking tour. Led by an Oxford student guide, you’ll see landmarks like Balliol College and Carfax Tower, and will learn about the invisible divides and backstories that shape Oxford today.
  • Venture beyond the typical tourist trail on this immersive history tour
  • Explore the city in the company of an Oxford University student guide
  • Learn about Oxford’s associations with colonialism and inequality
  • This small-group tour offers a personalized way to see the sights

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8
based on 105 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Excellent experience and value

Derek_S, Oct 2024
Great experience. Wonderful guide. Will recommend to friends! Very happy with the accessibility of the route and the discussion format of the tour.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Hi Derek - thank you especially for the note about accessibility, it is great to hear! We are thrilled you enjoyed the experience and hope to see you again sometime soon.

Uncomfortable Insights

Rosemary_D, Oct 2024
Learning about… controversial statues and benefactors, (Rhodes and Coderington), racism, (Christian Cole), misogyny (The only females permitted in the colleges for centuries were laundresses who were old and unattractive), College vs City power struggles (since the 1200s), the marginalization of female students who, while permitted to study in small numbers after 1879, were not allowed granted graduate status until 1920, and finally the end of gender segregation by all colleges as recently as 2008!

A must for all Oxford travellers

Grace_H, Sep 2024
A very well-researched, carefully thought-out, engaging tour. Provides historical information that the university does not want its visitors to know. Some of the information was shocking, some not so shocking, given the history of the British Empire. But the present-day actions of the university is highlighted in this tour, with an appropriate amount of context. Tom, our guide, was very engaging and facilitated some extremely interesting discussions among tour-goers. A perfect tour for tourists to learn about the place you are spending money to visit, and even more perfect for students to learn about your school. The blog and podcast are also worth checking out. 10/10 recommend.

100% recommend

Sharon_B, Jun 2024
This was a great way to hear about the parts of history that many tourist experiences gloss over, and something I wish I was available in more places. Our guide Jonathan was clearly very knowledgeable but also excellent at facilitating discussion within the group, who were all from different countries.

Definitely a must-do tour!

Helen_S, Aug 2023
Loved every minute - guide (Jonathan) was really interesting; interested in our thoughts and opinions, and hugely knowledgeable! Could have walked round for 9 hours rather than 90 minutes! Learned heaps! Thanks

First time

Ken_L, Jun 2023
Very engaging host our small group felt special, not a fan of Oxford but wanted to know more about the real Oxford universities. Overall a great tour with a very knowledgeable tour guide

Uncomfortable Oxford

Karen_S, Jul 2022
Very informative discussion about understanding Oxford history from different perspectives. We cannot rewrite history but we can put the events in context to the times.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Thanks a lot for coming on our tour and joining the conversation! We're glad you enjoyed our approach and hope to host you again!

Boeiende rondleiding voor onze studerende pubers

Dietske_S, Jul 2024
Was heel leuk! Interactief en boeiende onderwerpen. Juist datgene uit de geschiedenis werd verteld, wat ‘stof’ tot nadenken geeft en een mooi respectvol gesprek geeft! Gids Devica bedankt!