Riots, roads and a whole lot of trouble: on this 90-minute circular walking tour of Oxford, you’ll see the turbulent, tumultuous and riotous side of Oxford’s past come to life. Led by Maurice East, local Oxford resident and historian, you’ll experience stories of town and gown, industry and modernity and students behaving badly right where they happened.

Discover the site where an argument over wine led to the deaths of at least 60 people, the road that was almost built through a meadow, why Oxford University feared mass car production would destroy academic idyll – and a whole lot more across both famous and hidden sites in the city centre.

As part of the tour, you will see: Carfax and the site of Oxford’s most famous riot, Wheatsheaf Yard and the history of the University’s private police force, the Morris Motor showroom turned Crown Court, the aptly named ‘Dead Man’s Walk’ – plus more historic Oxford locations.

Join a Troublesome Oxford walk to see Oxford through the eyes of an expert and uncover the hidden history resting right in the heart of the city.

Please note that this tour was previously run under the name ‘Vex and the City’.

Meeting point: Museum of Oxford Shop (located inside the Oxford Town Hall). Please arrive 5 minutes before the start of the walk and check in at the Museum Shop with our friendly front of house team.

Tickets cost £10 and are available to purchase online (booking fee applies) or at the Museum shop. Please note that this walk is suitable for ages 16+.

Meet your tour guide: Maurice East

Maurice East is a local historian who was born and raised in Oxford. He interprets the social history of the city through the lens of growing up as a ‘townie’ and shines a spotlight on stories far off the usual tourist trail. His main area of research is the history of car making at Cowley and how the arrival of industry, cars and blue collar workers changed Oxford forever in the early twentieth century.

Access at the Museum

The Museum is accessible for wheelchair users, buggies and baby carriers. There is step-free, level entry access to the Town Hall via the entrance closest to Carfax (to the left of the main steps as you face the Town Hall). Inside the Museum, Museum Makers is accessible via a platform lift and lift to the basement level. Accessible toilets are available in the Museum (close to Museum Makers) and in the Town Hall on the ground floor, before entering the Museum.

Please contact the Museum team if you’d like to talk to a member of staff about your access requirements. Further access information can be found on our website: https://museumofoxford.org/plan-your-visit/access