Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! in Oxford, United Kingdom
Oxford, United Kingdom

Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!

Outty Ranking 71 5.0 · 18 traveler reviews2.5 hoursFrom $75
Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

71/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 18 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! worth booking?

Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! is a 2.5-hour experience in Oxford, United Kingdom, from $75 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 18 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
71 / 100
Rating
5/5 (18)
Duration
2.5 hours
From
$75 per person

Explore the fascinating world of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis on this guided walking tour through Oxford. See iconic locations such as Exeter College, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian Library, and Magdalen College, where the Inklings met. Discover how these writers inspired and helped one another. Enjoy a visit to Magdalen College, where Lewis spent nearly three decades. This tour provides a unique insight into the lives of these authors and the city that inspired them. - 2.5 hour guided walking tour of Oxford’s literary landmarks - Visit Magdalen College, where Lewis worked from 1925 to 1954 - Suitable for teenagers and adults; private tours are also available for families with young children - Learn from an expert guide about the lives of Tolkien and Lewis and their friendship - Learn how Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) met the young Alice Liddell at Christ Church College and how she inspired him to write Alice in Wonderland! - Avoid the crowds - maximum group 12 people

What you get

    About this experience

    Explore the fascinating world of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis on this guided walking tour through Oxford. See iconic locations such as Exeter College, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian Library, and Magdalen College, where the Inklings met. Discover how these writers inspired and helped one another. Enjoy a visit to Magdalen College, where Lewis spent nearly three decades. This tour provides a unique insight into the lives of these authors and the city that inspired them. - 2.5 hour guided walking tour of Oxford’s literary landmarks - Visit Magdalen College, where Lewis worked from 1925 to 1954 - Suitable for teenagers and adults; private tours are also available for families with young children - Learn from an expert guide about the lives of Tolkien and Lewis and their friendship - Learn how Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) met the young Alice Liddell at Christ Church College and how she inspired him to write Alice in Wonderland! - Avoid the crowds - maximum group 12 people

    What's included

    Included

    • Your Personal Guide - Contrada Tours uses only experienced local guides
    • After the tour you are free to visit the riverside café and Addison's walk and deer park.
    • Entry to one College of the University, usually Magdalen College. The entry ticket is included.
    • At Magdalen College, we can usually visit the chapel, dining hall, cloister, café and gardens.

    Not included

    • Please note: the colleges are usually closed between 21 Dec - 3 January and over Easter.
    • When it is not possible to visit Magdalen college, we will visit another suitable college.
    • Please note, Colleges are working academic institutions. Some areas may close at short notice.
    • Crowds! Our maximum group size is 12.
    • The Eagle and Child pub - it is closed for restoration work until 2027.

    What you'll see and do

    1. Broad Street

      Your guide will meet you here and will give you an introduction to the tour.

      10 minutes here

    2. University of Oxford

      Learn about the workings of the University of Oxford, where Tolkien and Lewis were students and where they taught for most of their careers.

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    3. See the pub where the Inklings met. The pub is currently closed for repairs and can be viewed from the outside only (2025).

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    4. Sheldonian Theatre

      See the Sheldonian Theatre, where Tolkien and Lewis matriculated and graduated and attended many other events of importance in their Oxford careers.

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    5. Bodleian Library

      See the world famous Bodleian library.

      5 minutes here · Admission not included

    6. See the original site of Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, where Tolkien worked as a lexicographer on the Oxford English Dictionary. Hear about his time there.

      5 minutes here

    7. Exeter College

      See the College where Tolkien was an undergraduate. Learn about his time in Oxford. We view Exeter College from the outside - internal visits are not normally permitted.

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    8. See the famous Mitre Inn (now also called Gusto), where C.S.Lewis met T.S.Eliot. Hear about their stormy relationship!

      5 minutes here · Admission included

    9. Radcliffe Camera

      See the iconic Radcliffe Camera - a great spot for some memorable photos

      5 minutes here · Admission not included

    10. Visit Radcliffe Square and see the iconic Radcliffe Camera, Brasenose College, All Souls College and the University Church of St Mary.

      5 minutes here

    11. Oriel College

      See this lovely small college where Tolkien and Lewis sat their scholarship examinations before coming up to Oxford as students.

      5 minutes here · Admission not included

    12. See the Canterbury gate of Christ Church College. Learn how Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) met the young Alice Liddell at Christ Church College and how she inspired him to write Alice in Wonderland. Learn also about recent developments at Christ Church including the new Alice collection.

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    13. Merton College

      See the College where Lewis and Tolkien first met in the 1920s, and where Tolkien was Professor of English during the 1940s and 1950s when he was working on the Lord of the Rings.

      5 minutes here · Admission not included

    14. Walk down beautiful Merton Street, often used as a backdrop when films are made in Oxford

      5 minutes here

    15. University College

      See the college where C.S.Lewis was an undergraduate and where we worked as a tutor from 1925 - 1947.

      5 minutes here · Admission not included

    16. Magdalen College

      The tour includes a visit inside Magdalen College, one of Oxford's most beautiful and historic colleges. See the chapel where Lewis worshipped daily after he became a Christian and the College dining hall where he ate. See the New Building where the Inklinks met. If you have time you can walk around Addison's Walk which is a beautiful circular walk around an island on the River Cherwell within the grounds the college. You can recreate the walk which Lewis, Tolkien and Hugo Dyson did in 1931 and which had such important consequences for Lewis. The College also has a Cafe by the river Cherwell serving drinks, light lunches and tea.

      45 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Oxford

    We meet near the Italiamo Cafe on Broad Street, near the red telephone box.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The tour ends at Magdalen College. Visitors are free to explore the college further after the tour ends.

    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
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
    Group size
    Up to 12 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Contrada Tours - walking tours of Oxford

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    at Magdalen College, Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! in OxfordMagdalen College, Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! in OxfordThe Sheldonian Theatre, Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! in OxfordGraduation day, Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! in OxfordGraduation day, Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! in OxfordTolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! in Oxford, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 18 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Small groups

    2 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    18 verified traveler reviews for Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    18
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Kate_L · October 2026

    Full of unique details @ Oxford, Tolkien and Lewis

    Our guide, Tim, provided contextual details linking the colleges of Oxford, the town and several of its notable students. To be able to link Tolkien and Lewis to their colleges and their social, academic and physical environments really brings them to life. Really enjoyed this tour and appreciate Tim for sharing so much information with us!

    via Viator

    Sallie_K · October 2026

    Tim is God

    If you love Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Narnia series, history, architecture, or language, this tour is for you. Tim’s guidance and insight were invaluable.

    via Viator

    Y2507PXkristenr · September 2026

    The best of beloved authors

    Becca, our guide (please forgive if I don’t have her name correctly), was kind, attentive, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It was so fun to hear and share in stories of Tolkien and CS Lewis and where they experienced Oxford. We really heard about their friendship and their hearts. A wonderful walk and great way to spend an afternoon.

    via Tripadvisor

    Extraordinary457095 · September 2026

    Wonderful trip

    Everything was perfect and the guide was both kind and a fascinating story teller

    via Tripadvisor

    jillbQ9222KN · September 2026

    Best best best Oxford Lewis/Tolkien Tour!

    I don’t think it’s possible to get a better tour guide than Tim with Contrada Tours! Not only was his knowledge vast and varied, he also brought us along as part of the stories of Lewis and Tolkien, helping us understand the major and lesser known aspects of their lives in Oxford. His delivery and attitude were friendly, warm, and patient, carefully including a wheelchair bound member of our group, and he never made us feel badly for any ignorant questions we had! Tim has excellent knowledge of and relationships with many colleges in Oxford, which opened doors (quite literally) to places most tours don’t get to see. Far and away the best tour guide!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    2.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    6
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Contrada Tours - walking tours of Oxford, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.0.

    See everything Contrada Tours - walking tours of Oxford runs

    Why this scores 71

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)90
    Review evidence (18% weight)41
    Booking momentum (14% weight)31
    Value for money (12% weight)89
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)65
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oxford.

    How much does Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! cost?

    +

    Prices start at $75 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 Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! take?

    +

    Plan for about 2.5 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 Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 18 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 Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!?

    +

    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 Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!?

    +

    Around 6 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 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! 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.

    What is included in Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!?

    +

    Included: Your Personal Guide - Contrada Tours uses only experienced local guides; After the tour you are free to visit the riverside café and Addison's walk and deer park; Entry to one College of the University, usually Magdalen College. The entry ticket is incl; and At Magdalen College, we can usually visit the chapel, dining hall, cloister, café and gard. Not included: Please note: the colleges are usually closed between 21 Dec - 3 January and over Easter; When it is not possible to visit Magdalen college, we will visit another suitable college; Please note, Colleges are working academic institutions. Some areas may close at short not; and Crowds! Our maximum group size is 12. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!?

    +

    We meet near the Italiamo Cafe on Broad Street, near the red telephone box. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! offered in?

    +

    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 Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!?

    +

    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.

    What happens to Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! if the weather is bad?

    +

    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 Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!?

    +

    Across 18 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, small groups. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!.

    Pick your date