Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour

5.0 (6 reviews) 2 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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6 reviews

5.0

The Lamb and Flag, opposite the Eagle and Child: the Inklings' two favourite pubs. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Exeter college, and Tolkien's rooms as an undergraduate — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

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At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Lady Gargoyle Oxford Tours

What is included

Included

Included: All Fees and Taxes

Not included

Not included: Entrance fee - Optional entry to Magdalen College

Itinerary

Martyrs' Memorial

10 min

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
Keble College

5 min

Where CS Lewis was stationed for his officer training before going off to fight in the First World War
History of Science Museum

5 min

The Old Ashmolean, where Tolkien had his very first job working on the Oxford English Dictionary
Exeter College

10 min

Where Tolkien was an undergraduate and suffered an attack of the 'Oxford sleepies'
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

10 min

Where Lewis preached and worshipped
University College

5 min

Where Lewis's undergraduate studies were interrupted by war
Merton College

5 min

Where Tolkien was English Professor and finally completed the Lord of the Rings
Examination Schools

5 min

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
University of Oxford Botanic Garden

5 min

Where Tolkien used to visit a particular tree he loved
Magdalen College

40 min Admission not included

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.