England · UNIVERSITY TOURS

The 15 Best University Tours in England

28 tours  ·  from $6

Oxford and Cambridge are closed colleges with public doors at set hours, so the guide decides the day. The 15 below compare alumni-led walks, which colleges each enters, and whether entry fees are on top of the ticket.

Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide - Starting at the University of Oxford
Guided, Oxford Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Oxford, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Oxford

Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide

1.Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,905 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $41Our pick

Explore Oxford’s colleges, libraries, churches, and filming sites on a two-hour walking tour led by a current or former Oxford student. You’ll see Radcliffe Camera, Trinity College, Merton College, Bodleian Library, and more. Choose an Oxford meeting point or upgrade to a London pickup by luxury minibus.

“We had a great tour of Oxford with Megan. She was very knowledgeable and excited to share the history and fun facts about her Alma mater. We highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cambridge University Walking Tour by Alumni™ Kings College Option - The Corpus Clock and the Eagle pub
Cambridge Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Cambridge, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Cambridge

Cambridge University Walking Tour by Alumni™ Kings College Option

2.Cambridge University Walking Tour by Alumni™ Kings College Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,336 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $33

Walk Cambridge with a graduate guide such as Niamh, Megan, Rupert, or Lise, learning about college rivalries, student traditions, science, and daily university life. The 90-minute route visits King’s, Trinity, St John’s, the Corpus Clock, and more. Add the self-guided King’s College Chapel visit for £25.

“Very informative introduction to Cambridge. We enjoyed the experience and would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cambridge.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cambridge University With Alumni: Optional Kings College Entrance - Starting at Peterhouse, Cambridge’s first college
Cambridge Tours, Tour Reviews, University Tours, University Tours in Cambridge

Cambridge University With Alumni: Optional Kings College Entrance

3.Cambridge University With Alumni: Optional Kings College Entrance

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,987 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $34

Walk Cambridge’s historic colleges with a current student or Cambridge alum, then enter King’s College Chapel if you choose that option. Expect stories about Newton, Darwin, Stephen Hawking, and student life, plus views of the Mathematical Bridge, River Cam, Senate House, Trinity, and St. John’s. Guides such as Mark, Anna, Sonia, and Bella have earned especially warm praise.

“The guide was very friendly, interactive and informative. She knew everything about Cambridge. She also gave us recommendation about places to eat. Great tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1.5-hour Oxford City and University Walking Tour - Inside Oxford’s colleges
Oxford Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Oxford, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Oxford

1.5-hour Oxford City and University Walking Tour

4.1.5-hour Oxford City and University Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,383 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $38

Meet at Trinity College’s blue gates for a 90-minute Oxford walk led by a local guide such as Jonathan, Simon, Jane, or Serge. Expect college courtyards, New College’s chapel and cloisters when available, Bodleian-area sights, and stories about Oxford’s students and traditions. Entry fees are included, but college access can vary by date.

“The private room in the original Blackwell bookshop accompanied by the stories of Tolkien and Lewis, Balliol college grounds and dining hall , beautiful stunning architecture at every turn with the history attached to it. Upbeat and amusing guide”

Check availability →Read our full review

Oxford Official University & City Tour - Starting on Broad Street near Trinity College
City Tours, Oxford Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Oxford

Oxford Official University & City Tour

5.Oxford Official University & City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,134 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $41

Walk Oxford’s historic center with guides such as Nigel, Becca, Adam, or Richard, hearing stories about colleges, scholars, writers, and town-and-gown clashes. You’ll see Trinity, Balliol, the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and the Sheldonian Theatre. Afternoon departures may include a college visit, while morning tours do not.

“It was very nice. The town and university are commingled so the tour covers both. I wish that we had more of an opportunity to visit inside colleges. We did see the inside of one. With the exception of one chapel we did not see inside any buildings. Nonetheless the tour was enjoyable and our guide was really nice and knowledgeable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Harry Potter Walking Tour of Oxford Including New College - Blackwell’s, the Bodleian, and Oxford’s old ideas of magic
Harry Potter Tours, Harry Potter Tours in Oxford, Oxford Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Oxford, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Oxford

Harry Potter Walking Tour of Oxford Including New College

6.Harry Potter Walking Tour of Oxford Including New College

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 930 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Walk central Oxford with an Oxford student guide such as Valentine, Niamh, or Will, seeing Harry Potter filming sites, New College cloisters, Bodleian Library buildings, and literary landmarks. Expect a 90-minute tour, a Potter quiz, and lively Oxford stories, but note that Divinity School entry can be restricted, especially from June through August.

“Great guide and nice small group as a total of 16 divided among two tour guides. Will was our guide and was so friendly and knowledgeable!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cambridge Walking & Punting Tour by Alumni™ King’s College Option - The Eagle pub and the old Cavendish story
Cambridge Tours, Punting Tours, Punting Tours in Cambridge, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Cambridge, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Cambridge

Cambridge Walking & Punting Tour by Alumni™ King’s College Option

7.Cambridge Walking & Punting Tour by Alumni™ King’s College Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 698 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $76

Walk Cambridge with a current student or graduate guide, then punt past eight colleges and nine bridges on the River Cam. The walk covers the Corpus Clock, Eagle pub, Cavendish Laboratory, Queens’, Trinity, St John’s, the Backs, and Senate House. Add King’s College Chapel in advance for a longer visit.

“We had an incredible experience on our walking tour. The guide was friendly, funny, and had tons of information and fun facts to share. The time went by very quickly! I wish I could remember his name to mention it in the review, all I know is that he used to go to Oxford and now attends Cambridge! Anyway if you can request a guide who used to attend Oxford, do so!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Oxford Sightseeing River Cruise Along The University Regatta Course - Following the University Regatta Course
Boat Trips, Oxford Tours, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, University Tours, University Tours in Oxford

Oxford Sightseeing River Cruise Along The University Regatta Course

8.Oxford Sightseeing River Cruise Along The University Regatta Course

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 652 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $29

Follow Oxford’s University Regatta Course from historic Folly Bridge on a 45-minute Thames cruise. Your English-speaking skipper may be Nick, Max, George, Sam, Howard, Dinah, or another local guide. Expect Christ Church Meadows, college views, rowing boats, boathouses, and relaxed commentary in a group of no more than 12.

“Lovely guide and really relaxed boat ride and experience! Lots of great history and information from our guide! Thankyou so much”

Check availability →Read our full review

Extended: Oxford University & City Tour With Christ Church - Starting with Oxford’s oldest colleges
Cathedral Tours, City Tours, Oxford Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Oxford

Extended: Oxford University & City Tour With Christ Church

9.Extended: Oxford University & City Tour With Christ Church

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 392 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $110

Walk through Oxford with a current or recent student guide such as Rose, Antonia, Luke, or Sam, visiting Trinity, Magdalen, the Bodleian area, Radcliffe Camera, and Christ Church. The extended option includes Christ Church entry and a multimedia guide, with roughly an hour to explore independently.

“You get to see everything (but the libraries), so be prepared to walk a lot to experience the city as best as possible.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Oxford University Walking Tour by Alumni™ & Optional New College - The Sheldonian Theatre and Oxford’s public face
Oxford Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Oxford, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Oxford

Oxford University Walking Tour by Alumni™ & Optional New College

10.Oxford University Walking Tour by Alumni™ & Optional New College

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 323 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Walk Oxford with a current student or graduate guide, visiting Balliol, Trinity, the Bodleian, Radcliffe Camera, All Souls, Oriel, and Christ Church Meadow. The 90-minute tour mixes university history with student life and application advice. Choose the New College option at booking for a self-guided interior visit after the walk.

“Our tour guide was Gladson and he was amazing! Very informative and gave a great tour of Oxford. Would recommend a tour with him.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cambridge University Walking Tour - Magdalene Bridge and the town beside the river
Cambridge Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Cambridge, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Cambridge

Cambridge University Walking Tour

11.Cambridge University Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 316 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $20

Begin at the 12th-century Round Church and walk through Cambridge with guides such as Dave, Jon, Ian, Martin, or Bobby. Expect stories about college life, religion, science, and English history, with entry to about two colleges when possible. The 1.5 to 2-hour walk covers flat streets at a moderate to fast pace.

“This was a great tour. Ian was extremely knowledgeable and made the tour very interesting. Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cambridge University Colleges Guided Punting Tour - The music pub and the first bridge
Cambridge Tours, Guided, Punting Tours, Punting Tours in Cambridge, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Cambridge

Cambridge University Colleges Guided Punting Tour

12.Cambridge University Colleges Guided Punting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 220 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Take a 45-minute chauffeured punt from Scudamore’s Mill Lane station through Cambridge’s College Backs. Your English-speaking guide steers you past Darwin College, Trinity Hall, Magdalene, famous bridges, and the college linked with Stephen Hawking, adding university stories along the way. Boats hold up to 12 people and cushions, blankets, and umbrellas may be available.

“We have very happy activity with this punting tour, guider work very well, have patient to answer all questions , make boat stable”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private | Cambridge University Tour By Alumni™ & King's Chapel - The Corpus Clock and Cambridges odd timekeeper
Cambridge Tours, Cathedral Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Cambridge

Private | Cambridge University Tour By Alumni™ & King’s Chapel

13.Private | Cambridge University Tour By Alumni™ & King’s Chapel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 194 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Walk Cambridge with a student or graduate guide and see King's, Trinity, St John's, Queens' and Corpus Christi from the outside. Hear lively stories about Newton, Hawking, student life, college rivalries, and Oxbridge traditions. Add King's College Chapel when booking if you want an interior visit.

“Tour guide was knowledgeable, we knew about Cambridge University history and each colleges. Four teenage enjoyed the trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cambridge University Ghost Tour by Alumni™ - Market Square and Cambridge’s harsher past
Cambridge Tours, Ghost Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Cambridge

Cambridge University Ghost Tour by Alumni™

14.Cambridge University Ghost Tour by Alumni™

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $31

Meet at King’s College at 6 pm for a one-hour walk led by a Cambridge student or graduate. Hear tales of haunted colleges, executions, witchcraft, floating horses, and the famous Peterhouse ghost. Guides including Francesco, Annie, Lindsay, Shelby, Arusha, and MG bring different energy to the route, which ends where it began.

“Francesco did a great job at giving us the history and ghost stories. Definitely would recommend! Was fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Oxford Harry Potter Film Locations Walking Tour by Alumni™ - The Bodleian Library and Nearly Headless Nick
Filming Location Tours, Harry Potter Tours, Harry Potter Tours in Oxford, Oxford Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, University Tours, University Tours in Oxford, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Oxford

Oxford Harry Potter Film Locations Walking Tour by Alumni™

15.Oxford Harry Potter Film Locations Walking Tour by Alumni™

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 100 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Walk through Oxford’s Harry Potter locations with an Oxford student or graduate guide. You’ll see Balliol College, Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Square, and New College, where the famous ferret scene was filmed. Guides such as Gladson, Rohan, Alec, Rose, and Stefan add personal Oxford stories, though the tour often leans more toward university history than film trivia.

“I paid over 50 pounds and I thought I will be visiting a few colleges. The only one we visited was new college, which is open to public anyway. Also I saw other guides that were quizzing their guests and sharing a lot more information than our guide. Our guide was very nice but I felt that the tour was not worth 50 pounds.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in University Tours

★ 4.0Naval College + Painted Hall + Uber Boat: One Way TripFrom $3015 reviews
★ 5.0Blockbuster Film Tours – Old Royal Naval College, GreenwichFrom $2218 reviews
★ 3.5Explore Cambridge Student Life & Top Colleges Walking TourFrom $1318 reviews
★ 4.5Private | Cambridge University Colleges Guided Punting Tour13 reviews
★ 4.5Secrets of King’s College Cambridge, Hawking, Darwin, NewtonFrom $137 reviews
★ 4.0Cambridge Riverside Walk From Queen’s College to Trinity CollegeFrom $134 reviews
★ 5.0Bath Private Family Tour With Bath University GuideFrom $1015 reviews

Keep browsing

Harry Potter Tours47Beatles Tours42Punting Tours11Filming Location Tours52Historical Tours87
Scroll to Top

Where next in England

Start from a city, a castle or a pair of boots.

Stone and crown

CastlesRoyal PalacesStonehengeCathedralsMuseums

On foot

Walking ToursJack the RipperGhost WalksHistorical ToursTreasure Hunts

On the water

River CruisesBoat TripsPuntingCruise-Port DaysHop-On Hop-Off

Eat and drink

Food ToursAfternoon TeaHistoric PubsMarketsGin Distilleries