Private C. S. Lewis & Tolkien Oxford Tour with Oxford Graduate Guide
An unforgettable tour of C. S. Lewis & Tolkien's Oxford • 2 hours • Go inside colleges
Overview
Activity details
This C. S. Lewis and Tolkien Tour is the perfect way for all true inklings to visit Oxford. Alongside visiting the inspirations behind
your favourite works, you’ll see the places where they were created. At the same time, you’ll learn all about the City and University that cultivated these authors, led by an expert guide and Theology graduate of the University of Oxford.
What's included
- Entry into Magdalen College (or alternative)
- Entry into Divinity School
- See the places where Lewis & Tolkien lived and worked
- Visit Oxford’s most famous landmarks
- Experienced tour guide, recently graduated from the
University of Oxford (BA Philosophy and Theology, 2023) - Expert guidance on planning the rest of your trip
What's not included
- Entry into other colleges and University buildings (all other locations are seen from the outside only)
Itinerary
You are more than welcome to request any changes to this itinerary, to request a tour that focuses more on one author than the other, or to add additional stops based on personal interest.
1) St Michael at the North Gate
2) Balliol and Trinity Colleges
3) The White Horse
4) Blackwell’s Bookshop
5) Western Library
6) Sheldonian Theatre
7) Bodleian Library
8) Divinity School (entry included)
9) Bridge of Sighs
10) St Peter-in-the-East
11) Examination Schools
12) Eastgate Hotel
13) Magdalen College (entry included)
13a) Magdalen College cloisters
13b) New Buildings, and C. S. Lewis’ rooms
13c) Magdalen College chapel
13d) Deer Park and Addison’s Walk
13e) Magdalen College dining hall
14) Christ Church Meadow
15) Christ Church
16) Merton College
17) St Mary’s Passage
18) University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
19) Radcliffe Camera
20) Exeter College
21) The Lamb and Flag
22) The Eagle and Child
Highlights
- See the colleges where C. S. Lewis and Tolkien lived and worked.
- Go inside Magdalen College and Divinity School (or alternatives).
- Visit the places where the Inklings met and shared
their stories. - Discover the inspirations behind Narnia and the Lord of
the Rings. - Learn how the University impacted Lewis & Tolkien’s
lives, with a recent graduate. - Discover the fascinating theological background to
Lewis & Tolkien’s works, with a theology graduate of the University of Oxford. - See all of Oxford's most famous landmarks.
Additional information
Special requirements
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Infants aged 2 or under are free.
FAQs
Will we get to go inside anywhere on this tour?
Absolutely! The tour includes entry into Divinity School, New College, and Magdalen College. Divinity School is the oldest teaching room to still exist in the University, and possibly the oldest remaining teaching room in the world. New College was extremely important in the development of the Christian University, has an incredible chapel and 14th century cloisters, and is one of the most beautiful colleges in Oxford. Magdalen College is the college that C. S. Lewis was a fellow (academic) of, and where the most important Inklings meetings took place.
On some rare occasions, Divinity School and/ or Magdalen College may become unexpectedly unavailable. On such occasions, an alternative, or a refund equal to the ticket value for the college, will be provided.
Can this tour be expanded to include Harry Potter filming locations?
Certainly! Feel free to email me at roryinoxford@gmail.com to discuss options. You might also be interested in my combined C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and Harry Potter tour
Can this tour be expanded to include Oxford's Christian history?
Absolutely! I offer a combined C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and Christian History tour which may be of interest. You are also very welcome to email me at roryinoxford@gmail.com to discuss options. You might also be interested in my
Are there any bathrooms on route?
Yes, there are bathrooms both in the Western Library (about half an hour into the tour), and in Magdalen College (from about an hour to an hour and a half into the tour).
Can we have a drink in one of the pubs after the tour?
Although the tour across the road from the Eagle and Child, the pub is unfortunately under long-term renovation. Happily, the Inklings also met in the Lamb and Flag (from the late 1950s onwards), which is on the other side of the road from the Eagle and Child - that is, exactly where the tour ends! The Lamb and Flag is an excellent pub, and I would definitely recommend having a drink there.
Is this tour customisable?
Most certainly. The tour is tours, and I am always happy to make it suit you and your interests the best it possibly can. You can make a note of your interests when you book the tour, but feel free to email me at roryinoxford@gmail.com for more information.
Cancellations
Private tours can be cancelled for a 75% refund or credit if cancelled at least 24 hours before the start of the tour. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in the event of cancellation by operators due to unforeseen circumstances. No-shows, and tours cancelled less than 24 hours before the start of the tour, will be charged at the same rate. Please call +447425614378 or email roryinoxford@gmail.com to make a cancellation. More information can be found at https://roryinoxford.com/policies