Oxford Literary Landmarks Walking Tour

Explore the fascinating world of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis on this guided walking tour through Oxford. See iconic locations such as Exeter College, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian Library, and the Eagle and Child pub, where the Inklings met. Discover how these writers inspired and helped one another. Enjoy a visit to Magdalen College, where Lewis spent nearly three decades. This tour provides a unique insight into the lives of these authors and the city that inspired them.
- 2.5 hour guided walking tour of Oxford’s literary landmarks
- Visit Magdalen College, where Lewis worked from 1925 to 1954
- Suitable for teenagers and adults; private tours are also available for families with young children
- Learn from an expert guide about the lives of Tolkien and Lewis and their friendship
- Learn how Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) met the young Alice Liddell at Christ Church College and how she inspired him to write Alice in Wonderland!
- Avoid the crowds - maximum group 12 people

Meeting Point

Italiamo Cafe

22 Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AS, UK

We meet near the Italiamo Cafe on Broad Street, near the red telephone box.

What's included:

• Your Personal Guide
• After the tour you are free to visit the riverside café and Addison's walk and deer park.
• Entry to one College of the University, usually Magdalen College. The entry ticket is included.
• At Magdalen College, we can usually visit the chapel, dining hall, cloister, café and gardens.

Not included:

• Please note: the colleges are usually closed between 21 Dec - 3 January and over Easter.
• When it is not possible to visit Magdalen college, we will visit another suitable college.
• Please note, Colleges are working academic institutions. Some areas may close at short notice.
• Crowds! Our maximum group size is 12.

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Broad Street

Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 2JD

Your guide will meet you here and will give you an introduction to the tour.

10 minutes

University of Oxford

Wellington Square, , Oxford, OX1 2JD

Learn about the workings of the University of Oxford, where Tolkien and Lewis were students and where they taught for most of their careers.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Eagle and Child

49 St Giles', Oxford OX1 3LU, UK

See the pub where the Inklings met. The pub is currently closed for repairs and can be viewed from the outside only (2025).

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Sheldonian Theatre

Broad Street, , Oxford, OX1 3AZ

See the Sheldonian Theatre, where Tolkien and Lewis matriculated and graduated and attended many other events of importance in their Oxford careers.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Bodleian Library

Broad Street, University Of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3BG

See the world famous Bodleian library.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

History of Science Museum

Broad St, Oxford OX1 3AZ, UK

See the original site of Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, where Tolkien worked as a lexicographer on the Oxford English Dictionary. Hear about his time there.

5 minutes

Exeter College

Turl Street, Oxford, OX1 3DP

See the College where Tolkien was an undergraduate. Learn about his time in Oxford. We view Exeter College from the outside - internal visits are not normally permitted.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Gusto Italian

The Mitre, High St, Oxford OX1 4AG, UK

See the famous Mitre Inn (now also called Gusto), where C.S.Lewis met T.S.Eliot. Hear about their stormy relationship!

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Radcliffe Camera

Radcliffe Square, , Oxford, OX1 3BG

See the iconic Radcliffe Camera - a great spot for some memorable photos

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Radcliffe Square

Radcliffe Sq, Oxford OX1, UK

Visit Radcliffe Square and see the iconic Radcliffe Camera, Brasenose College, All Souls College and the University Church of St Mary.

5 minutes

Oriel College

Oriel Square, Oxford, OX1 4EW

See this lovely small college where Tolkien and Lewis sat their scholarship examinations before coming up to Oxford as students.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Christ Church

St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1DP, UK

See the Canterbury gate of Christ Church College. Learn how Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) met the young Alice Liddell at Christ Church College and how she inspired him to write Alice in Wonderland. Learn also about recent developments at Christ Church including the new Alice collection.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Merton College

Merton Street, Oxford, OX1 4JD

See the College where Lewis and Tolkien first met in the 1920s, and where Tolkien was Professor of English during the 1940s and 1950s when he was working on the Lord of the Rings.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Merton Street

Merton St, Oxford OX1, UK

Walk down beautiful Merton Street, often used as a backdrop when films are made in Oxford

5 minutes

University College

High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BH

See the college where C.S.Lewis was an undergraduate and where we worked as a tutor from 1925 - 1947.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Magdalen College

High Street, Oxford, OX1 4AU

The tour includes a visit inside Magdalen College, one of Oxford's most beautiful and historic colleges. See the chapel where Lewis worshipped daily after he became a Christian and the College dining hall where he ate. See the New Building where the Inklinks met. If you have time you can walk around Addison's Walk which is a beautiful circular walk around an island on the River Cherwell within the grounds the college. You can recreate the walk which Lewis, Tolkien and Hugo Dyson did in 1931 and which had such important consequences for Lewis. The College also has a Cafe by the river Cherwell serving drinks, light lunches and tea.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included