CS Lewis & Tolkien Tour with Magdalen Entry Public tour 13.45
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a tour exploring the lives, works and ideas of CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and their circle. This tour is focused for an adult audience. Children may join it but the private tour option is more suitable.
This tour typically lasts 2 hours to 2.5 hours and it includes entry to Magdalen college, where CS Lewis taught. If Magdalen is ever closed, we will inform you & offer refund or reschedule date or proceed with a visit to an alternative such as Exeter college, where Tolkien studied.
This tour introduces both these famous writers and their lives here in Oxford plus offers insights into what life is like as an Oxford academic.
Magdalen entry fee worth £10 per person is included.
NOTICE: any known closures for Magdalen college will be published under the What's Excluded section.
Please note that Magdalen only permits entry to up to 10 persons with guide before we must instead pre book with Magdalen. Thus, if you book at very short notice, you may instead be asked to do private tour.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please arrive 5 minutes early for your tour at our meeting point.
What To Expect
Radcliffe Camera
We pass by & mention such famous sights
Bridge of Sighs
We pass by & mention such famous sights
Options
Public 13.45
Public tour at 13.45: Minimum 3 adults to book
What‘s Included
Please check 'Exclusions' below for dates of any partial closures eg the hall
Tour is led by award winning guides with hundreds of existing 5 star ratings for this tour!
Your ticket includes entry worth £10 to Magdalen college to see the hall, chapel, gardens, quad.
On any other new dates when Magdalen college is closed, we will always forewarn you here....
Magdalen is usually closed for Xmas about Dec 22 to Dec 31- no entry possible on those dates!
On dates outside Christmas or outside university graduation dates, we visit an alternative college
Magdalen 2026 closures includes Feb 24 and June 26, 27, 28 and Sep 25 and Oct 24
Magdalen college will be open from 10am to 1pm only on Thursday September 24th 2026
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fascinating Day
Marlene D,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Michael was a fountain of knowledge, but was always careful to ask us what we were most interested in rather, than the fire hose approach. It felt very personalized. Highly recommend him!
Peter was fantastic! Very...
Shannon A,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Peter was fantastic! Very knowledgable as well as good natured and fun! He is a fantastic tour guide and would definitely tour with him in the future!
Awesome Worthwhile Tour
Theodore Y,Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Harvey was an awesome tour guide. He taught us so much about the history of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien at Oxford. We really learned a lot. This is very much worth the cost kind of tour, (not like the cheesy fictional Harry Potter tours which would be a waste of time and money for us)
A great way to experience Oxford
Culture46535963633,Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Isabella led a professional and illuminating tour of Oxford with an emphasis on Tolkien and Lewis. As a current Oxford student, she knew the history of all the colleges, buildings and grounds. She was patient and responsive, and made our tour memorable. Highly recommend.
Informative & Well Paced
Lynn B,Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00There’s more you’ll learn about Lewis & Tolkien than is available in books and study. Be prepared to learn even more.
Our favourite tour in Oxford!
Odyssey37931934014,Apr 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thanks to our wonderful guide Ray and his enormous knowledge, we had a memorable time. He's a fascinating storyteller.
Great Experience
Kari N,Apr 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Tom was incredibly knowledgeable with amazing command of historical facts and dates. He was sure to ask us of our primary areas of interest before beginning to focus on our time. Excellent tour.
CS Lewis and Tolkien Tour at Oxford
DJ b,Jul 20, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Enjoyed the CS Lewis and Tolkien tour with Tom. He really tailored it to our keen interest in Lewis and it was wonderful to discuss his legacy as we saw the places that inspired his faith and his literature. Would certainly recommend!
Literally literary
sarahaN5271PX,May 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did a private tour of the CS Lewis and Tolkein literary journey with Alastair earlier this week. He was very generous with his time and took me around quite a bit. We covered the University Church, Magdalene College, and did a fair bit of siteseeing, including the Turf Tavern. I am happy to recommend the tours to anyone who wants to anyone who visits Oxford
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Operated by Visit Oxford Tours