Private tour in Oxford Sophie D

2 hour Fantasy literature - CS Lewis, Tolkien and Carroll and their work. Why Oxford?

5.0

(3) reviews

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Hours icon 2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Sophie D.

4.9

Guide rating

49

Reviews

Tours delivered

8 hrs

Avg. response time

After completing my BA (Hons) in Art History and History at Oxford Brookes University, I moved to France, where I spent over 20 years restoring a medieval château and welcoming guests from around the world. In 2009, I co-founded a highly acclaimed tour company, offering seamless multi-day experiences that combined historic sites, handpicked accommodation, and exceptional guiding. I now bring those same skills and passion to my work in Oxford. Returning to Oxford felt like a natural continuation of my work with travellers. The city offers a captivating window into the past, with its rich collection of artefacts, stories, and architecture all within easy reach. The University, its colleges, and the city together offer a unique opportunity to explore British history in one of its most beautiful settings. My tours are often described as 'surprising and insightful.' Areas of expertise include art history, the English Civil War, literary tours (notably Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien), and religious history in Oxford. Popular destinations include colleges, Radcliffe Square, and the Bodleian Library. As a member of the Oxford Guild of Guides, I can arrange access to colleges not usually open to the public and am one of the few guides accredited to lead tours inside Christ Church. Tours can typically accommodate groups of up to 19 participants, though some sites may have smaller group limits. Outside of guiding, I enjoy theatre, travel, and writing. I recently published my first book about rural France. Associate of the Institute of Tourist Guiding Member of the Guild of Guides Co-founder of Cathar Country Tours (Langue d’Oc, France) BA (Hons) in Art History and History, Oxford Brookes University Certified to guide in French If your preferred date isn’t showing as available, feel free to get in touch. As an Oxford resident, I love creating custom tours tailored to specific interests and schedules.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Sophie D.

Overview of your Oxford tour

Explore Oxford through the lives of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, discovering the places that inspired Middle-earth and Narnia. Visit New College (entry included), with its medieval cloisters and gardens reminiscent of Lewis’s magical landscapes. Stroll Merton Lane, where Tolkien spent his later years, and visit Exeter College, his alma mater. See St Mary’s Church, thought to have inspired Narnia’s gateway, and walk along Turl Street to the Eagle and Child pub, where the Inklings met to share ideas that shaped The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. University highlights include Radcliffe Square with the iconic Radcliffe Camera, the Divinity School at the Bodleian Library—a Harry Potter filming location—and the Sheldonian Theatre, Christopher Wren’s architectural masterpiece. This tour offers a perfect blend of Oxford’s literary heritage and university highlights, bringing the stories of Tolkien and Lewis to life.

Recent Reviews

Leigh F.United States
January 2026

We saw so much, and learned a lot about history in addition to seeing the door and lightpost that inspired Narnia. Great way to explore Oxford.

Hannah W.United States
October 2025

We really enjoyed this tour. Sophie was very knowledgeable and shared so much History with us. Her love for art and architecture added a lot of value to the places we visited. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone who enjoys literature and college history.

Tara K.United States
September 2024

We had a fantastic tour with Sophie. She was a wealth of information and knew so much about the city, it's architecture, the history, and anything and everything in between. She was also lovely to chat with and took an interest in us as the tour went on, which made the tour feel so personable and not at all stiff like some group tours I've been on. It truly felt like chatting with a friend who could show us all the secrets of this magical place. I'd recommend Sophie's tours to anyone interested!

Your Oxford tour itinerary

Broad Street: Begin with the Sheldonian Theatre and the Bodleian Library’s Divinity School, rich in literary, architectural and academic history. Radcliffe Square: View the iconic Radcliffe Camera, All Souls College, and St Mary’s Church, with its doorway said to have inspired the gateway to Narnia. Turl Street: Walk past Exeter College, where Tolkien studied, and Lincoln and Jesus Colleges, hearing about Oxford’s "town and gown" traditions. St Mary’s Passage: Spot the lamppost and lion carvings believed to have inspired Lewis’s vision of Narnia. Merton Lane: Stroll along the lane where Tolkien spent his later academic years at Merton College. A visit to a Medieval College and or the Bodliean library can be integrated into this tour. The pubs where the Inklings would meet and where Tolkien and Lewis discussed The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

Transport is not required for this walking tour.

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Tickets: By arrangement
Meeting location

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Martyrs Memorial on Magdalen Street

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Art And Culture
TV And Movie
City Highlights
Off The Beaten Path
History
Tour reference number
1214939
Languages
English
French
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Oxford best suited for?

This private tour in Oxford is perfect for literature enthusiasts, especially fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and fantasy literature. It's also ideal for those interested in the rich literary heritage of Oxford and its university highlights. Families, including kids, will find it accessible and engaging, as will travellers with mobility concerns.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Oxford be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

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What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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