Uncomfortable Oxford Tour: Delving into Histories of Empire, Inequality and Discrimination

Join Uncomfortable Oxford on a thought-provoking walking tour of Oxford, exploring the histories of empire, inequality, and discrimination. Engage in analysis and discussion about uncomfortable subjects within the city. Discover the enduring impact of these legacies on our modern lives.

Duration: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Carfax Tower - Begin the tour with an overview of the historic divide between the town of Oxford and the university.
  • University Church of St. Mary the Virgin - Discuss the controversies surrounding the statue of Cecil Rhodes
  • All Souls College - Learn about the connections between All Soul’s College and money from slave plantations.
    -…
What's Included
  • Uncomfortable Oxford™ trained guide
Additional Information

Uncomfortable Oxford offers a distinctive use of the walking tour model - it’s both enjoyable and thought-provoking, fostering discussions around uneasy topics within the town.
This ambulatory exploration delves into the political aspects of recollection within the city and its university. It brings to light the histories of imperialism, disparity, and…

Location
Carfax Tower
Queen Street
Meet us at the bottom of the tower - look for the guide with the 'Uncomfortable Oxford' tote bag!
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(85 Ratings)
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854vivn
Nov 4, 2024
A Great insight into the darker side of OXFORD Uni - A great insight into the side of Oxford that hardly anyone knows. The unfairness of students admission and allocation of resources. We spend a good 15 minutes alone looking at and talking about the statue of Rhodes. The style is to ask questions and get the group to think ...LOVED IT! Highly Recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sherpa08435852002
Nov 1, 2024
Amazing city tour - We had an amazing experience as a group, completely enraptured. Our guide, Jonathan, was such a sweet heart and completely accommodating to a group of law students and our endless stream of questions. Would 100% recommend for anyone looking for a more unique tour of the city !!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Angelama1203ry
Oct 28, 2024
Engaging, worthwhile tour - Great alternative tour. Thought provoking, engaging and informative. Important to look at the what lies behind the history. We all enjoyed it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Derek_s
Oct 20, 2024
Excellent experience and value - Great experience. Wonderful guide. Will recommend to friends! Very happy with the accessibility of the route and the discussion format of the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Onesmuso2022
Oct 13, 2024
Wonderful welcome and induction to Oxford - Despite the weather being unfriendly for a walk, my colleagues and I had the best of a tour we could have wished for that day. Devika - Devs - our tour guide, was the best we could have wished for. We definitely got the best!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O1207qsianp
Oct 12, 2024
Welcoming and generous - Highly recommended. Historical information and contexts to think about the present. Encouraging dialogues on very important issues.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suegj5098er
Oct 8, 2024
See another side of Oxford - This is a fascinating tour visiting some of the lesser known places in Oxford and discussing their history. It should not be viewed as a complete tour of the sights of Oxford nor as a tour of the university. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and, despite the street noise, made the tour into a discussion and made sure that everybody got involved in the discussion. The tour covers some areas where Oxford could be said to have issues, such as racism, women's rights and classist attitudes. I know Oxford very well but I learnt a lot and found the tour extremely worthwhile.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sewingbee22
Oct 7, 2024
Fantastic and informative! Highly recommend. Especially Kelsey 👏 - I highly recommend this tour for an alternative view of Oxford. So interesting to hear about the history and consequence of an elitist system and privilege. Kelsey, our tour guide was brilliant. I love the way she included everyone by asking the groups opinions and opening up a gentle debate. Such a great guide and very knowledgable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rosemary_d
Oct 6, 2024
Uncomfortable Insights - 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!
Review provided by Viator
Duff
Nov 17, 2024
Interesting, educational and informative - I felt the host was trying to persuade the group that Oxford University is corrupt, bigoted and eliteist nearer the end of the tour. It may well be but I did not appreciate the hosts attempt to influence me to think like her. Having said that it was a very educational and interesting tour and I did enjoy it overall.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
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