Oxford Uncomfortable Walking Tour Experience

Uncomfortable Oxford takes a unique approach to the walking tour format - both fun and thoughtful, we encourage analysis and discussion about uncomfortable subjects within the city.
This walking tour engages with the politics of memory in the city and university. It covers histories of empire, inequality, and race, class, and gender discrimination, highlighting how these legacies have an enduring impact on our modern lives.

Discover Oxford's beautiful landmarks, colleges, and statues while going beyond the traditional view of the dreaming spires.

This tour lasts for about 1.5hrs.

We will walk no more than two miles, but please be aware that cobble stones and uneven pavement may restrict the accessibility of this event.

Meeting Point

Carfax Tower

Queen St, Oxford OX1 1ET, UK

Meet us at the bottom of the tower - look for the guide with the 'Uncomfortable Oxford' tote bag!

What's included:

• Uncomfortable Oxford™ Trained Guide

What to expect:

Duration: between 1 hour, 30 minutes and 1 hour, 40 minutes

Carfax Tower

Corner of Carfax and Cornmarket, , Oxford, OX1

Begin the tour with an overview of the historic divide between the town of Oxford and the university.

10 minutes

University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

The High Street, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 4BJ

Discuss the controversies surrounding the statue of Cecil Rhodes

10 minutes

All Souls College

High Street, Oxford, OX1 4AL

Learn about the connections between All Soul's College and money from slave plantations.

10 minutes

Weston Library

Bodleian Library Broad Street, Bodleian Library, Oxford, OX1 3BG

Hear the story of Christian Cole, Oxford's first black scholar.

10 minutes

Sheldonian Theatre

Broad Street, , Oxford, OX1 3AZ

Learn about the struggle for women to join as full members of the University.

10 minutes

Balliol College

Broad Street, , Oxford, OX1 3BJ

Take a look at historic Balliol College, one of the colleges with extensive direct ties to the former British Empire and a tradition of educating Prime Ministers - including Boris Johnson.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Faculty of History, University of Oxford

41-47 George St, Oxford OX1 2BE, UK

Sit in the gardens of the Faculty of History in the shadow of the old city wall and learn about Merze Tate, Oxford's first Black female scholar.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Westgate Oxford

Queen St, Oxford's City Centre, Oxford, OX1 1PE

Finish at the Tirah Memorial across from the Westgate Centre to reflect on memories of empire and memorialisation.

Pass by without stopping