Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings' Oxford
Explore the lives of two great writers, and their friendship…
What is it about Oxford that has inspired the creation of so many fantastic worlds, deeply-loved characters and enduring stories?
On this tour we will follow in the footsteps of some of the city of dreaming spires' most famous authors: 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 deep life-long 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 - or if you are more interested in Tolkien than Lewis we can visit Exeter or Merton.
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Up to 20 people.
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This tour costs £150 per group, plus entrance fees - if we are going to visit Magdalen College that’s £9.50 each. Other colleges are a little cheaper.
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Yes! I can do specialist tours focusing on either man on request. Please contact me to discuss. I can also provide longer tours if you want to visit sites that aren’t in the city centre, such as either man’s grave, the Tolkien bench in University Parks, the Botanic Gardens or St Aloysius Catholic Church.
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Absolutely!
