Oxford's literary legends and landmarks: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

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.

1. 1

   Carfax Tower

   Pass by

   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.

2. 2

   Pembroke College

   Pass by

   The tour passes by Pembroke College. While standing in Pembroke Square outside the college where JRR Tolkien wrote The Hobbit.

3. 3

   Alice’s Shop

   Pass by

   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.

4. 4

   Christ Church

   Pass by

   As you pass by Christ Church, I'll point out it’s eight stained-glass windows featuring characters from Wonderland.

5. 5

   Merton College

   Pass by

   As you pass by Merton College, you’ll hear about Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration behind Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

6. 6

   University Church of St. Mary the Virgin

   Pass by

   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

7. 7

   Radcliffe Camera

   Pass by

   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.

8. 8

   Bodleian Library

   Pass by

   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.

9. 9

   Clarendon Building

   Pass by

   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.

10. 10

    Exeter College

    Pass by

    The tour takes you past Exeter College where you'll hear more about Tolkien's time at Oxford.

11. 11

    Stop 11

    Pass by

    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.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.