Walk – LEARN – Challenge
ARE YOU READY?
Discover the stories beneath the spires with a university historian as your guide. We take you on a unique journey through the historic city centre, offering an engaging and rich walking tour about the complex history that has shaped the beauty and grandeur of the Oxford landscape.
Our tours provide newcomers with a good introduction to the city while going beyond the traditional narratives. We highlight histories of race, gender, class, and disability, while raising uncomfortable questions about the lasting legacies of empire. All our guides are university researchers who are passionate about the city, its people, and its diverse history.
Tours often sell out – book in advance!
The Original Uncomfortable Oxford™ Tour
The perfect introductory tour of Oxford, covering its main sites and complex history.
Top Reviews
Brilliant ★★★★★
“This was a really interesting experience! Our tour guide Scott was amazing and we felt we learnt a lot! Really recommend this for anyone visiting Oxford.“
Definitely a must-do tour! ★★★★★
“Loved every minute – guide 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”
Highly recommended! ★★★★★
“I would highly recommend this tour! Led by students, it captures the uncomfortable side of Oxford’s long history, from murders, slave ownership and imperialism. It is an important aspect of understanding how one of the greatest universities in the world came to be, the sacrifices made by innocent people all over to make Oxford what it is. Shoutout to Julie, our lovely guide!”
An informative and thought-provoking afternoon ★★★★★
“I can highly recommend this tour for seeing a different aspect of Oxford. We had a small group of 6 which was ideal for being able to chat easily. Our guide was very generous with his time and gave us a good 2 hours plus of his knowledge and experience. We all learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed hearing some stories about Oxford which are not necessarily covered by other tours.”
A sorely needed tour, vital to the countercurrent of more simple histories. ★★★★★
“Cannot recommend this highly enough! … An absolute must and a unique social initiative, that stands head and shoulders above the cookie-cutter public tours of Oxford’s tourist-friendly, safe and warm narrative.”
Excellent tours ★★★★★
“I did the hidden histories, colonial, and original tours. All were exceptional. I learned a lot, loved how interactive it was, and found my guides really friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend these tours!!”
Don’t miss!
★★★★★
“Start your experience of Oxford with one of these tours – no visit to the city is complete without it!“
A different angle on a historic city
★★★★★
“It’s a really interesting alternative look at the history (and future) of Oxford. Based in the historic centre a well-informed enthusiastic guide leads a discussion on the controversial questions of the historic legacy“
Such a fun and informative tour!
★★★★★
“Chloe was really knowledgeable but also left loads of time and space for respectful discussion around the topics that were covered. I will definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Oxford. A really unique and thought provoking experience.“
Engaging and provocative ★★★★★
“Wonderfully crafted approach to showing and explaining the “other” side of Oxford’s role in UK’s modern history. Engaging format where guides ask opinions and ideas of participants. Thoughtful, provocative and engaging. One of the best tours I have ever taken.”
THEMED TOURS
History of Medicine Tour
Uncomfortable Ashmolean – Museum Tour
Follow the Money Tour
Hidden Histories Tour
Medieval Oxford Tour
Haunted Oxford – Ghost Tour
(Un)Natural History Museum Tour
Museum Tours
Experience a guided tour of the famous university museums
Private & Group Bookings
Private tours for schools, conferences, and corporate events.
WHY book AN UNCOMFORTABLE Tour?
See the iconic city in all its complexity!
- All tours researched, designed, and led by university researchers
- Tours feature diverse voices and narratives
- We are a female-led company & certified social enterprise
Choosing an ‘Uncomfortable’ Tour offers a unique and thought-provoking experience that provides you with a deeper understanding of the city and its history. You will gain access to the knowledge of our expert guides, while also challenging traditional perspectives of the city. Our tours of Oxford aim to shed light on the lesser-known aspects of history, bringing attention to uncomfortable truths or historical figures that are often overlooked or forgotten in modern narratives. We ask questions about the landscape and its beauty, as well as who gets to be represented in its statues, street names, and memorials.
OTHER UNCOMFORTABLE CITIES
Cambridge
Explore the dazzling city of Cambridge with a local academic. We introduce you to the main city sites while going deeper into the complexities of local history, providing a unique introduction to the city and University.
York
Check out our latest expansion with an immersive tour of the ancient and beautiful city of York. Step into the past with a local researcher from the university and uncover the rich industrial history of the famed
‘Chocolate city’.
Featured in
Cherwell
“Everywhere we go, we ask: ‘What are the dominant narratives about the city? And what are they hiding?”
The Washington Post
In Britain, these Oxford walking tours focus on often-glossed-over parts of the city’s history
The Times
Meander through Oxford’s dark past is more than a woke walk
The Telegraph
Uncomfortable Oxford: meet the student group asking the city to confront its colonial past
The Sunday Times
Step this way to discover Oxford’s unpalatable past of imperialism and inequality
