The 15 Best Punting & University Tours in England

1.Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide

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

Walk through Oxford with a student or graduate guide from Footprints Tours. In two hours, you’ll see Radcliffe Camera, Bodleian Library, Trinity College, All Souls, and more, while learning how Oxford works today. The tour starts in Oxford, with an optional London pickup from Gloucester Road.

“It was great! Unfortunately the Divinity School was closed, but that was not our Guide`s fault. We learnt a lot about being a student in Oxford, which is such a nice place to be.”

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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 who explains college rivalries, student traditions, and the stories behind the Corpus Clock, Eagle pub, Trinity, St John’s, and King’s College. The 90-minute tour stays mostly outside. Add a self-guided King’s College Chapel visit for £25, if selected when booking.

“Really good overview to help us understand how the college's work. This is an amazing campus. Helped me to orient to the city while my son studied here for a week”

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3.Cambridge University With Alumni: Optional Kings College Entrance

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

Walk Cambridge with a current student or alumnus who explains college life, famous graduates, and university traditions. You’ll visit King’s College Chapel if you choose that option, then see Peterhouse, Pembroke, Corpus Christi, the Mathematical Bridge, the Backs, Senate House, St. John’s, and Trinity College. Expect two hours of walking on uneven streets.

“Thank you for our guide Mark on this lovely tour it was a great experience I would always repeat. You gave me a new perspective of Cambridge (and some interesting of Oxford).”

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4.Punting Tour in Cambridge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,690 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.)

Cruise Cambridge’s River Cam in a shared punt for about 45 minutes. Your guide steers past the College Backs, Mathematical Bridge, King’s College Chapel, and St. John’s covered bridge while sharing stories and history. Morning and afternoon trips are available, with a maximum of 12 people and a ticket valid for six months.

“An amazing and interesting tour. George who took us on the tour was wonderful and friendly and gave us lots of historical information. We also had lovely weather for it too so made it even better. I would highly recommend this as something to do when your in Cambridge.”

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5.1.5-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 walking tour led by a local guide. You’ll hear college stories, see historic courtyards, and may enter New College, Balliol, or other sites depending on access. The tour covers about 1.5 km, costs $38.14, and ends where it begins.

“Really enjoyed this tour. The guide was so knowledgeable and interesting. Was great to see inside the colleges and learn about the history and lovely buildings. Would highly recommend!”

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6.Oxford Official University & City Tour

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

Walk Oxford with a local guide for about two hours, seeing Trinity College, Balliol, the Martyrs’ Memorial, Sheldonian Theatre, Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and more. Afternoon departures may include a college visit, subject to availability. Guides such as Nigel, Becca, Adam, and Richard are praised for lively stories and Oxford insight.

“Nigel, the tour guide, was enthusiastic, funny, and very knowledgeable. He understood the broad sweep of Oxford’s history, but also gave us lots of little anecdotes that fleshed out the narrative.”

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7.Harry Potter Walking Tour of Oxford Including New College

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

Walk through central Oxford with a student guide such as Valentine, Niamh, Will, or Neve. In 90 minutes, visit New College and the Bodleian’s Divinity School when open, spot Harry Potter filming sites, hear Oxford book lore, and take a light quiz. Expect a brisk city walk and possible seasonal closures.

“We did the Harry Potter Walking Tour of Oxford, including New College, with Vittoria and had a fantastic experience. Vittoria was a wonderful guide—knowledgeable and engaging about both Oxford’s history and its connection to the Harry Potter films. She brought the tour to life with great stories, fun facts, and just the right amount of detail. The stops were well chosen, New College was a highlight, and Vittoria made the entire experience enjoyable and easy to follow. Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or just interested in Oxford, this tour is absolutely worth it”

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8.Shared Guided Punting Tour of Cambridge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 787 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $22

Join Cambridge Punt Company at Jesus Green for a shared 45-minute ride along the River Cam. Your punter guides the boat past Trinity, St. John’s, King’s College Chapel, the Mathematical Bridge, and famous college gardens while sharing history, student stories, and answers to your questions. Boats hold up to 12 people and return to the starting point.

“A fun 45 minute boat ride passing some of the famous colleges and universities that Cambridge is famous for. Really worth doing if you’re in town and get the chance”

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9.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

Meet your Cambridge student or graduate guide outside King’s College for a 90-minute walking tour covering the Corpus Clock, The Eagle, Trinity, St John’s, and more. Add the self-guided King’s College Chapel visit, then relax on a chauffeured punt past eight colleges and nine bridges. Guides have included Niamh, Elliott, Annie, and David.

“This is an exceptionally entertaining tour, ideally suited for anyone wishing to gain an introductiory insight into the complex Cambridge University and its 31 Colleges, from the perspective of a bonafide alumnus. Our tour guide for the walking portion of our tour, Elliott, halfway through a 6 year Doctorate of Medicine program, was nothing short of amazing as he educated and informed our group in his highly articulate style. The 2nd part of our tour was super-entertaining as we punted along the River Cam for approximately 45 minutes and were able to view 8 Colleges and some 9 bridges. Our guide regaled our group with history, facts and interesting folklore…”

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10.Oxford Sightseeing River Cruise Along The University Regatta Course

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

Cruise Oxford’s University Regatta Course for 45 minutes from historic Folly Bridge. A local guide such as Nick, Max, George, or Sam provides lively stories about rowing, colleges, and riverside life. The small boat carries no more than 12 people, making this a calm, personal way to see Christ Church Meadows and Oxford’s boating world.

“Excellent skipper and lovely small boat tour along the river. Nice mix of information and time to look at the scenery and take in the views over the water.”

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

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

Walk Oxford with a small group of up to 19 people and an Oxford student guide such as Rose, Antonia, Luke, or Sam. See historic colleges, the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, and Christ Church. Allow a full extra hour for Christ Church’s self-guided multimedia visit, and wear good walking shoes.

“A fantastic and enthusiastic introduction to the history of Oxford and it's colleges. I went to school there but still learned so much new information.”

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12.Private Cambridge Punting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 339 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.)

Book a private 50-minute chauffeured punt for up to 12 people on Cambridge’s River Cam. Your punter guides you past King’s College Chapel, the Mathematical Bridge, seven college backs, and the Bridge of Sighs, adding local stories along the way. Guides such as James, George, Ryan, and Noah are known for lively, well-informed commentary.

“Amazing experience and tour guide. It was informative and fun. We had four adults and two kids below the age of 2 and it worked perfectly. Safe, interesting and very central.”

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13.Shared Punting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 330 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Join Rutherford’s Punting Cambridge for a chauffeured 50-minute shared punt from Jesus Green Moorings. Your guide pilots the boat beneath nine historic bridges and through Cambridge’s private College Backs, adding stories about the university and riverside buildings. Boats hold up to 12 people, and guides such as Max, John, Matt, and Adam are known for lively, informative commentary.

“Absolutely must do while in Cambridge, it is a beautiful way to explore Cambridge and to see the various sights. We throughly enjoyed our punting tour!”

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14.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 through Oxford with a current student or graduate guide, visiting Balliol, Trinity, the Bodleian, Radcliffe Camera, All Souls, Oriel, and Christ Church Meadow. Hear campus stories, admissions tips, and student-life details. Add New College at booking for a 45-minute self-guided visit, subject to opening hours.

“This walking tour of Oxford provided fantastic detail on the history of Oxford and the events that have taken place over time. It also gave tremendous insights from a student's perspective. Felix was excellent. He answered all our many questions about the university and the colleges, tying this in nicely with his experiences as a student. I highly recommend this tour and I would recommend doing the hop on hop off bus loop before (and after if you have time).”

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15.Cambridge University Walking Tour

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

Walk Cambridge with guides such as Dave, Ian, Jon, Martin, and Bobby, learning how faith, politics, science, and university life shaped the city. The 90-minute to two-hour route begins at the Round Church and usually includes about two college interiors, though access varies. Expect a moderate to fast pace and up to 15 people.

“Thank you for a wonderful day in Cambridge. As a young family with two young children, we really enjoyed hearing the stories about Cambridge. Although our son asked us a lot of questions during the tour, we felt comfortable and happy to continue with the group.”

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