
Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 87 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour worth booking?
Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour is a 2-hour experience in Oxford, United Kingdom, from $47 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 87 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (87)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $47 per person
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 t
What you get
About this experience
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!
What's included
Included
- Guided walking tour
- Tour guests enjoy an exclusive 10% discount at the Cool Britannia Gift Shop
Not included
- No College entrances are included
- Private transportation
- Guides do not use microphones or radio headsets
What you'll see and do
Exeter College
You will see Exeter College (from the outside) where Tolkien lived and studied
Pass by without stopping
Bodleian Library
From the outside see the famous Libraries including the Weston Library which houses some of Tolkien's and CS Lewis' orginal works
5 minutes here
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Where C.S. Lewis preached some of his wartime sermons
5 minutes here
Radcliffe Camera
Walk around this iconic building and as you cross the Radcliffe Square, look out for the famous lamposts and Mr Tufnell carving
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Merton College
From the outside see where JRR Tolkien worked
Pass by without stopping
Look out for the Eagle &Child and Lamb & Flag Pubs where the Inklings used to meet
5 minutes here
Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
See this splendid building housing collections which have inspired many writers through the ages
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oxford
Outside entrance Cool Britannia Gift Shop on corner of Broad St and Turl St, OX1 3DH What3Words ///visit.blues.text
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Outside entrance Cool Britannia Gift Shop on corner of Broad St and Turl St, OX1 3DH What3Words ///visit.blues.text
Options you can book
Oxford: Official CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour
CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien Tour
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Experience Oxfordshire
Know before you go
- 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
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 87 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
87 verified traveler reviews for Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Interesting & Informative
Great walking tour of parts of Oxford with history relating to CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien. Interesting information about the friendship origins of these two authors.
Response from the operator: Thanks for the review of your walking tour. We are glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciate the kind words about the content and your guide.
via Viator
Great tour well worth it
The tour was fascinating and Becca really brought everything to life with her enthusiasm for the subject. We went with two boys (10 and 13) who are Tolkien and Lewis fans, and they said time flew by. We all enjoyed it immensely and learnt interesting nuggets about the authors.
Response from the operator: Thanks for the review of your CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien Walking Tour. We are pleased you and your family enjoyed the tour and appreciate your positive feedback.
via Tripadvisor
A fantastic 2 hours!
A lovely 2 hours learning about 2 very special authors and more. The guide also share with us about other authors such as Philip Pullman and Georgette Heyer. We also discovered some of the areas where Inspector Morse was filmed as well. The guide was very informative and thoughtful of everyone’s wellbeing on such a hot day!
Response from the operator: Thanks for the review of your walking tour. We are pleased you enjoyed the tour and appreciate the positive feedback and nice words about your guide.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour for all ages
Really good tour, right level for everyone there. Group ranged from children to seniors. As well as the authors we leant about the various Colleges too.
Response from the operator: Thanks for the review of your walking tour. We are pleased you enjoyed the tour and appreciate your positive feedback.
via Viator
great
Wonderful, the guide was knowledgeable
Response from the operator: Thanks for the review of your walking tour. We are pleased you enjoyed the tour and appreciate your feedback.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 30
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Experience Oxfordshire, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.6 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Experience Oxfordshire runsWhy this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oxford.
How much does Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $47 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oxford usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour take?
+
Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Oxford is not rushed.
Is Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 87 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Oxford, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour?
+
Around 30 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Oxford can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Oxford and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Oxford within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Oxford?
+
On Outty we rank every Oxford experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cotswolds in a Day Tour from Moreton-in-Marsh / Stratford-on-Avon, Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide, Oxford Official University & City Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Oxford?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Oxford?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Oxford CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien Walking Tour.
Pick your date




