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.
Posted By : Sewingbee22
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.
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Posted On : 2024-10-07 05:19:27 
Posted By : Rosemary_D
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!
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Posted On : 2024-10-06 14:39:40 
Posted By : ExcitedExplorersx4
Absolutely brilliant. Thought provoking. The opportunity to engage with the others in the group who were in the tour. Covered a wide range of uncomfortable topics, making you challenge your perceptions. Well lead by Jordon. A tour I would return to.
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Posted On : 2024-10-06 05:30:40
Posted By : Grace_H
A very well-researched, carefully thought-out, engaging tour. Provides historical information that the university does not want its visitors to know. Some of the information was shocking, some not so shocking, given the history of the British Empire. But the present-day actions of the university is highlighted in this tour, with an appropriate amount of context. Tom, our guide, was very engaging and facilitated some extremely interesting discussions among tour-goers. A perfect tour for tourists to learn about the place you are spending money to visit, and even more perfect for students to learn about your school. The blog and podcast are also worth checking out. 10/10 recommend.
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Posted On : 2024-09-29 05:34:25
Posted By : Curious792201
Elliot Thompson, Oxford university graduate and guide with the 'Uncomfortable Tour' was very approachable, friendly, well organised, very knowledgeable and informative and keen to hear our opinions and thoughts.
He explained the fascinating origins of 'town versus gown' and the historical, controversial funding sources in the university - including how the recent university student and staff community have sought to come to terms with this - and other unacceptable issues of inequality and racism - through disruptive actions to stir the conscience and raise questions to find ways to address and remove injustice.
I never knew that despite studying at the university, women were not allowed to formally graduate until 1920!
Fascinating and unmissable! Thank you!
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Posted On : 2024-08-27 07:30:19
Posted By : johntheLADodgersfan
Fascinating and engaging - thought provoking and revealing- we did all the tours and they were excellent- prioritise these over any other tours and make sure you do at least one. The tour leaders are knowledgable, respectful and very friendly. Best thing we did in Oxford
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Posted On : 2024-08-21 16:27:57
Posted By : shrutik560
We did the original uncomfortable oxford tour and it was an amazing experience. Our guide Mia was super informative and engaging. We were a diverse group in terms of age but she ensured all of us participate in the discussions. The tour gives such a different picture of the Oxford which we would miss out otherwise. But more than all of this, I absolutely loved the uncomfortable oxford team for being extremely helpful. I had missed my tour because of traffic but they made sure to fit me in a private tour on special request, that was scheduled the next day, and didn't charge us any extra money for it. Really thankful for this gesture!
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Posted On : 2024-08-05 12:57:56
Posted By : 8christym
This is a great tour led by Oxford University students- if you want to learn untold stories about the various colleges this is a must. Learn about class, gender and race privilege throughout the centuries at Oxford University.
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Posted On : 2024-08-04 01:45:16
Posted By : youngmerinda
The tour was well presented highlighting the ingrained inequality and injustice that is part of the world generally but comes into sharp focus in a university city such as Oxford. The guides were excellent and I liked how they encouraged discussion amongst the diverse participants, using stories and the past to encourage action in the present for a better future.
PS no photos because I was more fascinated by the discussions.
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Posted On : 2024-06-29 10:41:25
Posted By : Sharon_B
This was a great way to hear about the parts of history that many tourist experiences gloss over, and something I wish I was available in more places. Our guide Jonathan was clearly very knowledgeable but also excellent at facilitating discussion within the group, who were all from different countries.
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Posted On : 2024-06-11 15:29:54
