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.
• 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.
- 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.
- Alice’s Shop: The tour passes by Alice's Shop. You can pause the tour here, to browse through Alice’s Shop where the real-life Alice in Wonderland bought her barley sugar.
- Christ Church: As you pass by Christ Church, I'll point out it’s eight stained-glass windows featuring characters from Wonderland.
- Merton College: As you pass by Merton College, you’ll hear about Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration behind Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
- University Church of St. Mary the Virgin: You'll pass by the University Church of St Mary the Virgin and hear about CS Lewis' friendship with JRR Tolkien. Then, you'll stroll through the passageway outside of University Church of St Mary the Virgin which served as the inspiration for Narnia
- Radcliffe Camera: We’ll step into the world of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, where you’ll follow in the footsteps of Will and Lyra and make your way around Radcliffe Square to the Bodleian Library.
- Bodleian Library: We’ll step into the world of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, where you’ll follow in the footsteps of Will and Lyra and make your way around Radcliffe Square to the Bodleian Library.
- Clarendon Building: Taking in Clarendon Square and the Divinity School library where Harry Potter practiced his witchcraft and wizardry and seeing the oak tree where Draco Malfoy was turned into a ferret.
- Exeter College: The tour takes you past Exeter College where you'll hear more about Tolkien's time at Oxford.
- The tour reaches an end in front of the Eagle and Child pub, a popular hangout for the Inklings, an informal literary club in the early to mid-1900s.
Included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English
- VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Not included
- Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
- Smartphone and headphones
- Transportation
- Food and drink
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
