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Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour

2 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 2 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Oxford, England

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On average, this is booked 18 (0) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
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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
  • All Fees and Taxes
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Magdalen Street
Oxford OX1 3AE, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Oxford OX1 4AU
UK

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
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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
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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
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Exeter College

Where Tolkien was an undergraduate and suffered an attack of the 'Oxford sleepies'
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

Where Lewis preached and worshipped
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

University College

Where Lewis's undergraduate studies were interrupted by war
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Merton College

Where Tolkien was English Professor and finally completed the Lord of the Rings
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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
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

University of Oxford Botanic Garden

Where Tolkien used to visit a particular tree he loved
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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.
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40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-410043P5

Reviews

5.00
2 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 2 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
2
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 18 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • All Fees and Taxes
  • All Fees and Taxes

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

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Free Cancellation

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100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).

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