Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!
Overview
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
- 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.
- Your Personal Guide - Contrada Tours uses only experienced local guides
- 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.
Meeting Location
22 Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3AS, UK
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
Oxford OX1 4AU
UK
The tour ends at Magdalen College. Visitors are free to explore the college further after the tour ends.
What To Expect
Book Online
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Broad Street
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
University of Oxford
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
The Eagle and Child
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Sheldonian Theatre
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
History of Science Museum
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Exeter College
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Gusto Italian
5 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Radcliffe Camera
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Radcliffe Square
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Oriel College
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Christ Church
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Merton College
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Merton Street
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
University College
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Magdalen College
45 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice!?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-5576492P4
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 18 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
- 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.
- Your Personal Guide - Contrada Tours uses only experienced local guides.
- 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.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Tolkien Lewis Walking Tour, with Magdalen College visit, + Alice! will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- 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.
- Your Personal Guide - Contrada Tours uses only experienced local guides
- 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.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
