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Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour
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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn More
2 Hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Overview
Explore the lives of two of Oxford's greatest writers, and their friendship, with an award-winning guide.
On this tour we will follow in the footsteps of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. We will see where they studied, taught, lived, worshipped, lectured, wrote and - most importantly - drank with their friends the Inklings. Out of these friendships and conversations emerged Aslan, Gandalf and many other much-loved characters and stories.
Both men became extremely famous in their lifetimes, but never gave up their day-jobs of teaching in the English department. We will explore CS Lewis's conversion to Christianity and late-life marriage to Joy Gresham, and hear about Tolkien's student pranks and life-long deep love for trees.
We will end at the beautiful college of Magdalen, where Lewis taught for nearly 30 years and the Inklings met every Thursday. If you want to go inside it, you will need to pay the entrance fee, which is £9.50 adults/£8.50 concessions.
What's Included
- All Fees and Taxes
- Admission fee if you want to go inside a college. Magdalen is £9.50 adults/£8.50 concessions.
Meeting And Pickup
What To Expect
Martyrs' Memorial
We will walk up St Giles to see the Eagle and Child and Lamb and Flag - the Inklings' two favourite pubs. We will go into the Lamb and Flag and see where they used to sit and read to each other from their writings
10 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Keble College
Where CS Lewis was stationed for his officer training before going off to fight in the First World War
5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
History of Science Museum
The Old Ashmolean, where Tolkien had his very first job working on the Oxford English Dictionary
5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Exeter College
Where Tolkien was an undergraduate and suffered an attack of the 'Oxford sleepies'
10 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Where Lewis preached and worshipped
10 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
University College
Where Lewis's undergraduate studies were interrupted by war
5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Merton College
Where Tolkien was English Professor and finally completed the Lord of the Rings
5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Examination Schools
Where both Tolkien and Lewis lectured, close to the rooms where Tolkien lived at the end of his life, and the Eastgate Hotel where the two men used to meet, and where Lewis first met Joy Gresham
5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
University of Oxford Botanic Garden
Where Tolkien used to visit a particular tree he loved
5 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Magdalen College
We will go inside this college, where Lewis was a fellow for nearly 30 years and the Inklings met every Thursday evening. We will see the college buildings, cloisters, chapel, dining hall (if open), gardens and deer park.
40 Minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operated by Lady Gargoyle Oxford Tours
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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