How long does it take to walk the Inklings route in Oxford?

The full walk typically takes 90 to 120 minutes. The distance is approximately 1.5 miles, allowing for a leisurely pace and time to admire the college exteriors.

Is it worth visiting the Eagle and Child in Oxford?

Yes, even if only to see the exterior. It is the most famous literary pub in the world for fantasy fans, as it served as the meeting place for Tolkien and Lewis for decades.

Can I go inside Merton College?

Merton College is often open to visitors for a small fee, but hours vary significantly based on the academic calendar. It is best to check their official website for visitor hours on the day of your walk.

Where did J.R.R. Tolkien live in Oxford?

Tolkien lived at several addresses, including 20 Northmoor Road. This walk focuses on his professional life at Merton College and his social life at the city's historic pubs.

What is the easiest way to see C.S. Lewis's Oxford?

This self-guided walk is the easiest way to see his main haunts. It connects Magdalen College, where he taught, with the pubs where he socialized, all within the city centre.

Are there many hills on this Oxford walking route?

No, this route is exceptionally flat. Oxford's city centre is very accessible, though some streets like Merton Street feature historic cobblestones.

What is the best time of day for an Oxford literary walk?

Mid-afternoon is best. This allows you to avoid the morning rush and often aligns with the afternoon opening hours for college chapels and grounds.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Oxford's golden spires have long inspired poets and scholars, but none have left a mark quite like the Inklings. This self-guided walk invites you to step into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, the creative giants who spent decades wandering these very streets. As you follow this walking route, you will discover the colleges where they taught, the paths where they debated theology and mythology, and the snug pub corners where The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia first came to life. This isn't just a look at old buildings; it is an exploration of a friendship that changed the face of modern fantasy literature. From the quiet cloisters of Merton College to the bustling atmosphere of St Giles, the city serves as a living museum of their legacy. This walking route Oxford offers a deep dive into the 20th-century literary scene, perfect for fans of Middle-earth or the magical world beyond the wardrobe. You can explore independently and at your own pace, pausing to admire the medieval architecture or perhaps even stopping for a drink where the masters once sat. Along the way, you will learn how the academic rigors of the university combined with the camaraderie of the pub to produce some of the most beloved stories in the English language. This neighborhood stroll takes you through the heart of the University, showcasing the places where the Inklings lived, worked, and socialized. Whether you are a lifelong fan of fantasy or simply interested in the history of one of the world's most prestigious universities, this audio walk provides a unique perspective on the minds that shaped contemporary fiction.

Highlights

Explore Merton College, where J.R.R. Tolkien served as a professor

See Magdalen College, the academic home of C.S. Lewis for nearly 30 years

Visit the legendary Eagle and Child pub, the Inklings' primary meeting spot

Walk the same paths that inspired the landscapes of Middle-earth and Narnia

Discover the Lamb and Flag, another favorite haunt of the literary circle

Admire the stunning university architecture that defines the Oxford skyline

Tour Stops (5)

Merton College

Welcome to Merton College, one of the three oldest colleges in Oxford. This was the academic home of J.R.R. Tolkien from 1945 to 1959, where he served as the Merton Professor of English Language and Literature. It was during his time here that he finally completed and published The Lord of the Rings. As you look at the medieval walls, imagine Tolkien walking through these gates, his mind perhaps wandering to the Shire or the towers of Gondor. Merton's quiet, scholarly atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for his philological research. The college's Mob Quad is considered the oldest quadrangle in the university, dating back to the 14th century, offering a glimpse into the deep history that inspired Tolkien's love for the ancient and the enduring.

Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel

Standing here at the Eastgate, you are at a significant crossroads for the Inklings. C.S. Lewis lived at the nearby Kilns, but he was a frequent visitor to this area. Tolkien also had a long association with this spot; he often stayed or met colleagues here. The hotel itself is built on the site of a 17th-century coaching inn. For the Inklings, locations like this were more than just buildings; they were markers of a changing city. They often lamented the modernization of Oxford, preferring the traditional stone and timber of the older structures. This spot serves as a reminder that their literary world was deeply rooted in the physical reality of the Oxford they walked every day.

Magdalen College

Magdalen College is arguably the most beautiful in Oxford and was the academic home of C.S. Lewis for twenty-nine years. As a Fellow and Tutor in English, Lewis spent countless hours within these walls. If you have time to enter, Addison's Walk is a must-see; it is a scenic woodland path where Lewis, Tolkien, and Hugo Dyson famously walked one night in 1931. During that stroll, Tolkien's arguments about the nature of myth helped lead Lewis toward his conversion to Christianity. The deer park and the towering Great Tower of Magdalen provide a sense of the natural beauty that Lewis translated into the landscapes of Narnia, where nature is often imbued with a sense of the divine.

Lamb and Flag

The Lamb and Flag is a historic pub owned by St John's College. While the Inklings are most famously associated with the pub across the street, they moved their meetings here in later years. As the Eagle and Child became more popular and modern, the group sought the traditional, no-nonsense atmosphere of the Lamb and Flag. It is a classic 'study pub,' where generations of students and professors have debated philosophy over a pint. Tolkien and Lewis were known to appreciate the quiet corners here, away from the prying eyes of the public. The pub’s name refers to the symbols of Christ, a fitting detail for a group whose discussions often turned to theology and the 'True Myth.'

The Eagle and Child

Our final stop is the most iconic of all Inklings locations: The Eagle and Child, affectionately known as the 'Bird and Baby.' For over two decades, the Inklings met here on Tuesday mornings in a small, wood-paneled room at the back called the 'Rabbit Room.' It was in this very pub that they read aloud drafts of their work, including chapters of The Lord of the Rings and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. They would offer each other blunt criticism and hearty encouragement. Although the pub has faced periods of closure for renovation, its facade remains a pilgrimage site for fans of fantasy. It stands as a monument to the power of friendship and the informal conversations that sparked some of the 20th century's greatest literature.

Frequently Asked Questions

While this route focuses on the Inklings, many of the same locations, like the Bodleian Library nearby, are central to Harry Potter fans. This self-guided walk covers the literary roots of the city, which often overlap with filming sites.