The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 123 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily worth booking?
The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily is a 2-hour experience in Oxford, United Kingdom, from $136 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 123 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (123)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $136 per person
Our tour includes entry into CS Lewis's college called Magdalen college worth £10 per person, as and when open. See published dates below that Magdalen is closed. On such dates, we visit an alternative college- unless it's a graduation date or over Christmas vacation period mentioned also below, when most colleges closed. This tour focuses on the Inklings' Oxford but also introduces the city history + university life. See inspiring sights relating to CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien on an average 2.5 hour plus tour of the sights where they worked & relaxed, including the pubs they enjoyed. Locations visited include Magdalen college. Various start times are offered by time of year.
What you get
About this experience
Our tour includes entry into CS Lewis's college called Magdalen college worth £10 per person, as and when open. See published dates below that Magdalen is closed. On such dates, we visit an alternative college- unless it's a graduation date or over Christmas vacation period mentioned also below, when most colleges closed. This tour focuses on the Inklings' Oxford but also introduces the city history + university life. See inspiring sights relating to CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien on an average 2.5 hour plus tour of the sights where they worked & relaxed, including the pubs they enjoyed. Locations visited include Magdalen college. Various start times are offered by time of year.
What's included
Included
- Tour is led by award winning guides with hundreds of existing 5 star ratings for this tour!
- On any dates, when Magdalen is closed, entry replaced to an alternative college except Xmas dates
- Entry to Magdalen college worth £10 per adult included in ticket price
Not included
- On any other new dates when Magdalen college is closed, we will always forewarn you here....
- Magdalen is closed every year during Christmas typically from December 22 to 31
- On dates outside Christmas or outside university graduation dates, we visit an alternative college
- Magdalen 2026 closures includes Feb 24 and June 26, 27, 28 and Sep 25 and Oct 24
- Magdalen college will be open from 10am to 1pm only on Thursday September 24th 2026
What you'll see and do
Exeter College
Only on dates when Magdalen is closed, do we instead only visit inside Exeter college with £5 entry ticket included. This is where JRR Tolkien studied. JK Rowling is also an honorary fellow of this college.
Pass by without stopping
Magdalen College
Entry worth £10 per person is included in the tour. This is where CS Lewis taught & it has a beautiful deer park with deer. If this college is not open, then instead we'll visit Merton college, where JRR Tolkien taught or Exeter college, where Tolkien studied.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Merton College
We don't normally walk exactly past Merton college but as it's Tolkien's college, where he taught, if you wish us to walk past and introduce it too, just tell us, when you meet us.
Pass by without stopping
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
This church is where CS Lewis preached, so we visit inside here and also this is where outside the church, there are obvious references to the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
10 minutes here
Radcliffe Camera
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
Brasenose College
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
All Souls College
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
Hertford College
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
Lincoln College
We don't usually enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
Jesus College
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
The Oxford Hotel Spa
We sometimes enter inside the Randolph hotel as this is where CS Lewis first met Joy Gresham - his future wife- but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
5 minutes here
Balliol College
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
Trinity College
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
St John's College
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
Bodleian Library
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Bridge of Sighs
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
Radcliffe Camera
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
University College
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route. This is where CS Lewis was a student
Pass by without stopping
St Edmund Hall
We don't enter inside this venue but we introduce these famous sights and walk past on the route.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oxford
Meet your guide wearing red lanyard. Meeting next to our black sign, OUTSIDE Oxford Tourist info centre, 15 Broad street, OX1 3AS. This is also next to the Oxfam shop which has a green sign above its shop.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour does not have a fixed end point but the city centre is compact and the guide will ensure you have a map and directions to where you want to get to next.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Visit Oxford Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- While children are welcome, this tour is not aimed at children's attention span or interests
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 123 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
123 verified traveler reviews for The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Outstanding Inklings Tour of Oxford
This tour was wonderful! Michiel was a tremendous guide. Very knowledgeable about Oxford, Tolkien, and Lewis. His obvious love of the area and authors was evident and greatly enhanced the whole experience. As a Tolkien and Lewis fan, it was such a pleasure to nerd-out and see the places they lived and worked and created stories that were such a big part of my childhood.
Response from the operator: Many thanks!
via Viator
A thoroughly delightful tour of Oxford
It was a remarkably informative tour of Oxford and its connections to Tolkien and Lewis's lives. Our guide, William, was a 'local' who was very knowledgeable considering his young age and quite thoughtful and considerate as we were slightly late due to a delay with the train into Oxford. He proceeded to highlight the university, its history, its notable alumni and influences, as well as offering insights into both authors and their works. The highlight was our stop at Magdalene College with access to some of the buildings in use, but also the extraordinary park that the college maintains with fallow deer roaming on the property. The pacing and accommodations that William provided was was so enjoyable that he extended our tour by an additional 45 minutes so that we could complete our experience at Christ Church College. It was a wonderful morning to spend around Oxford.
Response from the operator: Many thanks
via Viator
Incredible C.S. Lewis Experience
Our guide Tom was incredibly knowledgeable about all things Oxford but in particular C.S. Lewis. He customized our tour to our interests and seemed to access places we would have never seen otherwise. By the end of the tour we considered him a friend, not just a guide!
Response from the operator: Thank you!
via Viator
Great private tour for lives and journeys of Lewis and Tolkien
We had an excellent and engaging private tour with Ray. We had asked specifically for emphasis on Tolkien and Lewis, and when we met him said we were happy for a focus on their Christian journeys. Ray proved to be a knowledgeable and entertaining guide, taking us to see many of the relevant sites, included the colleges they attended and taught at, the church where Lewis lectured, the walk where Tolkien helped with Lewis’ conversion, and the hotel where they met for drinks. He had a folder of relevant pictures and quotes and read some quotes in an impressive voice. The 2 hour tour focussed mainly on the colleges (and did not cover for instance, where tolkien lived or his gravesite, as these were too far away). Ray also pointed out other interesting literary spots relevant to Harry potter, Alice in Wonderland and Wind in the Willows. Ray also had an outstanding general knowledge of the history of Oxford. He was flexible to cater for our specific interests. I would highly recommend a private tour with Ray for anyone with similar interests.
Response from the operator: Many thanks for sharing such a detailed review of your tour as led by Ray.
via Viator
Tolkien, Lewis, and Oxford
I have been an avid Tolkien reader most of my life so going to Oxford at some point was an essential "to do". My guide Michiel was fantastic: knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. This tour made the city and Tolkien come to life for me in a way it would not have had I done it in my own.
Response from the operator: Thanks!
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
- Every day
- Price range
- $136 to $250
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 43
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Visit Oxford Tours, who run 31 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 56.2.
See everything Visit Oxford Tours runsWhy this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oxford.
How much does The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily cost?
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Prices start at $136 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 The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily take?
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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 The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 123 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 The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily?
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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 The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily suitable for kids and families?
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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 The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily?
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Around 43 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?
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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 The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
What is included in The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily?
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Included: Tour is led by award winning guides with hundreds of existing 5 star ratings for this tour; On any dates, when Magdalen is closed, entry replaced to an alternative college except Xma; and Entry to Magdalen college worth £10 per adult included in ticket price. Not included: On any other new dates when Magdalen college is closed, we will always forewarn you here; Magdalen is closed every year during Christmas typically from December 22 to 31; On dates outside Christmas or outside university graduation dates, we visit an alternative; and Magdalen 2026 closures includes Feb 24 and June 26, 27, 28 and Sep 25 and Oct 24. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily?
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Meet your guide wearing red lanyard. Meeting next to our black sign, OUTSIDE Oxford Tourist info centre, 15 Broad street, OX1 3AS. This is also next to the Oxfam shop which has a green sign above its shop. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Oxford. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about The Inklings Oxford Writers Tour - Private Groups Daily?
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Across 123 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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