Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Visiting Oxford on foot is the best way to see it, especially if you are a fan of Oxford’s most well known writers, the founder members of The Inklings.
Join this 2-hour CS Lewis and Tolkien Tour and learn more about these writers’ lives and work. Both Oxford University alumni Lewis and Tolkien are respectively known for the Narnia series and The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
During the tour you will be able to see Exeter College, where Tolkien studied and the University Church where Lewis preached in WW2 and hear about the colleges where they taught. Moreover, you’ll walk past the Eagle & Child pub, where The Inklings used to meet every Tuesday, to talk about their work. Discover more about their unique writing styles and their influence.
This is definitely a jump back in time and it will give you a glimpse of how Oxford used to be in the early 20th century, and of course earlier. Being the City of Dreaming Spires, the architecture is still stunning to this day!
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Strollers and buggies may need to be left at the Porter's Lodge during the college visit
Wheelchair accessible college visits can be arranged if customers contact us in advance on 01865 686 441 please
What To Expect
Exeter College
You will see Exeter College (from the outside) where Tolkien lived and studied
Bodleian Library
From the outside see the famous Libraries including the Weston Library which houses some of Tolkien's and CS Lewis' orginal works
Options
Oxford: Official CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour
CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien Tour
What‘s Included
Guided walking tour
No College entrances are included
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
73 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent Walking Tour
Passenger53456799465,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great tour for Tolkien and Lewis fans! Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the writers and Oxford in general (she was an Oxford grad). I learned a ton and had a lot of fun! I highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants to learn a little more about these writers or the history of Oxford.
Wholeheartedly recommend
Flavia R,Apr 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Richard was a wonderfully nice guide, he was flexible toward what we were most interested in and gave very detailed and interesting information. We got to see the most relevant places of interest in Oxford and helped decide what we would visit next.
Memorable !
988lorraineh,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien tour was absolutely excellent. Our guide, Tim, shared a wealth of fascinating stories and took us to many meaningful locations connected to Tolkien. Although our group was small, it was wonderfully engaging—each of us already had some knowledge of Tolkien and Lewis, yet we all came away having learned something new. Please do pass on my thanks to Tim for such an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Becca: beyond Lewis and Tolkien
marcusalonsor,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was excellent in all aspects. The walking, the stories and the many fun facts made us travel back in time . We swear we felt like we were following both writers through their lives step-by-step. Becca was amazing and her wonderful attitude brought a golden light over the whole tour. Thank you deeply, we will definitively recommend this tour.
Beautiful Thoughtful Tour
563elijahf,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was excellent! As a lifelong Tolkien and Lewis fan it was amazing to walk the streets they did, see the places they frequented, and places that inspired some of their work. The guide Becca was very knowledgeable and did a great job explaining the significance of the different places we visited. I would take this tour again, and bring friends next time!
A tad of false advertisement
jessicarJ1957ZG,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Should be called walking tour of Oxford Universities with a sprinkle of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien facts. Our tour guide Harvey Coates was very good though.
Great general tour of...
noelle r,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great general tour of Oxford with lots of specific information about Tolkien and Lewis. Our guide Harvey was fantastic- extremely knowledgeable and told many entertaining and humorous stories
Great tour
P4294PWjamesl,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Becca was great, learnt lots about Tolkien and Lewis a d even the weather was fantastic!
Official CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour review - February 2026
beth2018777,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family of four, including two teenagers, had an excellent experience on this tour. Our guide Becca brought Oxford to life with her deep knowledge of the city and her passion for J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and a wide range of other authors. Her love for literature and history is infectious, and it made the tour both informative and fun. We all came away delighted and would highly recommend it.
A great tour with Timothy
thetntstorym,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Timothy was a perfect guide. He tailored the tour to our interests. He shared his love for Oxford, its history, architecture, and music, besides informing us about Tolkien and Lewis.
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Operated by Experience Oxfordshire