Self-guided audio tour of Oxford's literary landmarks

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This 2-hour self-guided audio tour of Oxford aims to unravel the city's influence on some of the most cherished fantasy fiction. The journey begins at Carfax Tower, meanders through the city centre, skirts college quadrangles, strolls along the Broad Walk, and concludes at the Eagle and Child pub. This legendary establishment was a favourite haunt of CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and the informal literary group known as the Inklings.En route, you'll pause outside Pembroke College where Tolkien penned The Hobbit, peruse Alice's Shop where the real-life Alice Liddell purchased her barley sugar, and admire the eight character-filled stained-glass windows at Christ Church. You'll traverse the passageway by the University Church of St Mary the Virgin that sparked Narnia's creation, explore the Divinity School library - a filming location for Harry Potter's magical lessons, and discover the oak tree that witnessed Draco Malfoy's transformation into a ferret. The tour also traces the steps of Lyra and Will from His Dark Materials around Radcliffe Square and the Bodleian Library.Your guides for this adventure are Jeremy Allen and Graeme Fry, presenters and producers of the Oxford Lives podcast. As long-time residents, they possess a profound affection for the city's concealed tales and renowned denizens. As you stroll, GPS triggers each audio track automatically, ensuring the tour operates fully offline once downloaded.
Highlights
- You'll follow in the footsteps of literary legends like CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien through Oxford's historic streets
- There's a chance to see filming locations from Harry Potter and discover where Tolkien wrote The Hobbit
- Your expert local guides share insider stories about Oxford's hidden literary connections through GPS-triggered audio
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Activity package
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Facilities
mobile
2 hours
Available in English
What's included
- Audio-guided tour
- Downloadable APP
Where you'll meet
This self-guided audio tour starts at Carfax Tower and Museum of Oxford. Please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket before arrival. You'll find detailed starting point instructions after downloading the tour.
Operated by
VoiceMap Audio Tours
Important information
Know in advance:
* You'll receive the tour instructions by email after booking
* Please download the audio tour before departure while connected to strong WiFi
* The tour works offline via GPS once downloaded – no data connection is needed during the experience
* You can start at any time and pause or resume the tour as you wish
Remember to bring:
* A smartphone and headphones
* Comfortable walking shoes