Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour worth booking?
Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour is a 2-hour experience in Oxford, United Kingdom, from $225 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $225 per person
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,
What you get
- All Fees and Taxes
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- All Fees and Taxes
What you'll see and do
Martyrs' Memorial
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
10 minutes here
Keble College
Where CS Lewis was stationed for his officer training before going off to fight in the First World War
5 minutes here
History of Science Museum
The Old Ashmolean, where Tolkien had his very first job working on the Oxford English Dictionary
5 minutes here
Exeter College
Where Tolkien was an undergraduate and suffered an attack of the 'Oxford sleepies'
10 minutes here
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Where Lewis preached and worshipped
10 minutes here
University College
Where Lewis's undergraduate studies were interrupted by war
5 minutes here
Merton College
Where Tolkien was English Professor and finally completed the Lord of the Rings
5 minutes here
Examination Schools
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
5 minutes here
University of Oxford Botanic Garden
Where Tolkien used to visit a particular tree he loved
5 minutes here
Magdalen College
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.
40 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oxford
Opposite the Randolph Hotel, at the end of St Giles
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Lady Gargoyle 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
Photos
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
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oxford.
How much does Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour cost?
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Prices start at $225 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 Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour 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 Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 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 Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour?
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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 Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour 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 Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour?
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Around 2 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 Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings Oxford Tour 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.
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