Oxford: Inklings Writers Walking Tour & Magdalen Entry

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/24

Duration2h–2h 30m

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Walk Oxford’s lanes where Tolkien and Lewis found their stories

You’ll follow winding Oxford streets with an expert guide who brings Tolkien & CS Lewis’ world alive—Magdalen College entry included (with its secret deer park), stories at iconic pubs and churches, plus time among legendary university buildings. Expect sensory moments and small surprises along every lane.

2h–2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Inklings and Oxford landmarks

Visit Magdalen College and deer park
Enter church where CS Lewis preached
Walk past Radcliffe Camera
Walk past All Souls College
Walk past Balliol College
Walk past Trinity College
Walk past Bodleian Library
Walk past Bridge of Sighs
Walk past Randolph Hotel
Optionally walk past Merton College
Optionally visit Exeter College if Magdalen closed

The Experience

We started our Inklings Oxford tour just outside the Bodleian Library, with a bit of drizzle clinging to the old stones. Our guide, Emma, waved us over—she had this slightly mischievous grin, like she was about to let us in on some secret. Right away, she pointed out the Radcliffe Camera peeking through the mist, and I realized how much these buildings really do look like something out of Narnia or Middle-earth. The city felt busy but somehow hushed at the same time—bikes rattling past, students ducking under umbrellas, the smell of wet leaves everywhere.

I’d read that Magdalen College was where CS Lewis taught, but walking through those gates (entry is included in the tour—didn’t have to queue or anything) felt stranger than I expected. There’s this deer park tucked behind the walls—actual deer moving quietly under ancient trees. Emma told us about Lewis’ routines here and showed us a window he always left open for his cat (not sure if that’s true but I want it to be). When we stopped by the college chapel, someone was practicing organ inside—just a few notes drifting out into the hallway. It made me pause longer than I meant to.

We wandered along narrow lanes past Balliol and Trinity Colleges—their names feel so big in books but up close they’re just…doors you could almost miss if you weren’t looking. Emma pointed out a pub where Tolkien and Lewis used to argue over pints (I tried to imagine them there; honestly hard not to smile at that). She even showed us a church door with carvings that inspired The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I probably took too many photos of that lamp post outside—it really does look like Lucy’s first glimpse of Narnia. Didn’t expect it to feel so real.

The whole walk was about 2.5 hours but didn’t feel long—I kept noticing little things: rain on my jacket sleeve, how everyone in Oxford seems to walk quickly but never rushes, Emma’s habit of pausing mid-sentence when she got excited about some detail. By the end, I felt like I’d actually walked alongside these writers for a bit—not just seen their city but sort of borrowed their eyes for an afternoon. Still thinking about that deer park.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through central Oxford with stories from award-winning guides.
entry fee for Magdalen College (or substitute if closed) covered in advance.
plenty of stops outside legendary sites like Radcliffe Camera and Bridge of Sighs.
plus time spent at locations tied closely to Tolkien & CS Lewis—all paced for easy walking with group sizes kept small.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Visit Oxford Tours