Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
This public tour is brand new to be listed here on viator but we have been successfully running this tour with excellent reviews for private groups for several years here with over 46 recommendations .
This tour typically lasts 2 hours to 2.5 hours and it includes entry to Magdalen college, where CS Lewis taught. If Magdalen is ever closed, we will inform you & offer refund or reschedule date or proceed with a visit to an alternative such as Exeter college, where Tolkien studied.
This tour introduces both these famous writers and their lives here in Oxford plus offers insights into what life is like as an Oxford academic.
Magdalen entry fee worth £10 per person is included.
NOTICE: any known closures for Magdalen college will be published under the What's Excluded section.
Please note that Magdalen only permits entry to up to 10 persons with guide before we must instead pre book with Magdalen. Thus, if you book at very short notice, you may instead be asked to do private tour.
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
Please arrive 5 minutes early for your tour at our meeting point.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Please check 'Exclusions' below for dates of any partial closures eg the hall
Tour is led by award winning guides with hundreds of existing 5 star ratings for this tour!
Your ticket includes entry worth £10 to Magdalen college to see the hall, chapel, gardens, quad.
Magdalen is closed Sep 26 & Oct 5 of 2025. On these dates, the tour will visit alternative college.
Magdalen is usually closed for Xmas about Dec 22 to Dec 31- no entry possible on those dates!
On any dates that Magdalen is closed, we'll replace entry with Tolkien's Exeter college
This tour is not aimed at young children but if you wish to bring children, please inform us before
Radcliffe Camera
We pass by & mention such famous sights
Bridge of Sighs
We pass by & mention such famous sights
Public tour at 11.45: Minimum 3 adults to book
8 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Shannon A,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
Peter was fantastic! Very knowledgable as well as good natured and fun! He is a fantastic tour guide and would definitely tour with him in the future!
Theodore Y,
Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
Harvey was an awesome tour guide. He taught us so much about the history of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien at Oxford. We really learned a lot. This is very much worth the cost kind of tour, (not like the cheesy fictional Harry Potter tours which would be a waste of time and money for us)
Culture46535963633,
Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Isabella led a professional and illuminating tour of Oxford with an emphasis on Tolkien and Lewis. As a current Oxford student, she knew the history of all the colleges, buildings and grounds. She was patient and responsive, and made our tour memorable. Highly recommend.
Lynn B,
Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
There’s more you’ll learn about Lewis & Tolkien than is available in books and study. Be prepared to learn even more.
Odyssey37931934014,
Apr 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Thanks to our wonderful guide Ray and his enormous knowledge, we had a memorable time. He's a fascinating storyteller.
Kari N,
Apr 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
Tom was incredibly knowledgeable with amazing command of historical facts and dates. He was sure to ask us of our primary areas of interest before beginning to focus on our time. Excellent tour.
DJ b,
Jul 20, 2024
- Review from Viator
Enjoyed the CS Lewis and Tolkien tour with Tom. He really tailored it to our keen interest in Lewis and it was wonderful to discuss his legacy as we saw the places that inspired his faith and his literature. Would certainly recommend!
sarahaN5271PX,
May 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
I did a private tour of the CS Lewis and Tolkein literary journey with Alastair earlier this week. He was very generous with his time and took me around quite a bit. We covered the University Church, Magdalene College, and did a fair bit of siteseeing, including the Turf Tavern. I am happy to recommend the tours to anyone who wants to anyone who visits Oxford
Operated by Visit Oxford Tours