Oxford's literary legends and landmarks: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Are you looking for a way to see Oxford’s literary gems without joining a tour group? Explore at your own pace with this affordable walking tour.
• See the spots that inspired Lewis Carroll, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien and the filming locations for Harry Potter and HBO’s His Dark Materials
• Hear from producers Jeremy Allen and Graeme Fry, the presenters and producers of the Oxford Lives podcast
• Do it all in 90 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish
• Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it
• Use the virtual tour option at home
Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code.
The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Carfax Tower
This self-guided audio tour starts in front of Carfax Tower. From there you’ll wander through the city centre and hear about all the literary legends connected to the city.
Pembroke College
The tour passes by Pembroke College. While standing in Pembroke Square outside the college where JRR Tolkien wrote The Hobbit.
Options
Oxford's literary legends and landmarks: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
What‘s Included
Lifetime access to this tour in English
VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
Smartphone and headphones
Transportation
Food and drink
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
5 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent and informative
Janet D,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved it. Really interesting tour tailored to Oxford’s literary scene. Just enough information presented in an imaginative way. You have the freedom to visit the places along the route if you wish to pay the entrance fee.
Very disappointed
Allan C,Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00I had great difficulty with the app. I followed instructions and appeared to have it on my phone. I followed directions to the start. I then selcted start tour and this led me to a number of other screens and then back to start tour. This happened severla times before I gave up. Waste of £9.50.
Terrible experience.
helencI1540CW,Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Paying the £9.50 was easy enough! After this, the experience was terrible. We tried to follow the tortuous instructions and finally succeeded (we thought) in downloading the app. We then used the directions to get to the starting point. We then selected start the tour and got into a cycle of approving other apps. Whenever we got back to start the tour, the same thing happened. In the end we gave up. If there was any chance at all of getting our £9.50 back, I'd claim it. Waste of money and time for us.
A very impressive audio tour
Sally E,Feb 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00An excellent option for learning about the literary heroes and heroines of the city. Well voiced and very easy to use; the app coped perfectly with our stops and starts. We'd definitely download more from this company.
Oxford for a day
Olga Z,May 27, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Well structured guided tour, great overview of the key stories related to Oxford. Especially in quieter streets and places listening to the guiding story, making stops to pay more attention to details was enjoyable and thought provoking.
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Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours