An Inkling About the Inklings

I discovered C.S. Lewis in high school and added J.R.R. Tolkien to my pantheon of great English writers in college. Somewhere along the line I developed the urge to visit Oxford to see where those two used to hang out with the rest of the Inklings. It helps to work for an organizations that has an office in Oxford, the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. I wouldn’t say that was the main reason I took this job three years ago, but it was a factor. Earlier this year myself and two colleagues went to Oxford for meetings and I took about 350 photos as I wandered around town between meetings. Presented here are the photos involving C.S. Lewis, other photos will be shared later.

White Horse Pub & Blackwell's Bookshop
I downloaded a C.S. Lewis walking tour from the internet, which was a great help. It started on Broad Street, in the middle of Oxford, at Blackwell Bookshop and White Horse Inn.

The Kings Arms pub
Across the street is another pub, The Kings Arms. These two pubs are among those frequented by Lewis and Tolkien, particularly during World War II.
a house where Lewis spent his first night when he arrived in Oxford to begin his studies in December 1916.
A short distance down Holywell Street to Mansfield Road is a house where Lewis spent his first night when he arrived in Oxford to begin his studies in December 1916.
Magdalen tower, along High Street,
One of my main goals was visiting Magdalen College. The Magdalen tower, along High Street, was built about the time Columbus sailed to America.
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I paid the entrance fee and entered St. John’s Quad, facing the chapel.
Inside the walls is the Cloister, a common feature of most of the colleges in Oxford.
Inside the walls is the Cloister, or the quad, a common feature of most of the colleges in Oxford.
The hall is where special events are held at Magdalen College.
This hall is where special events are held at Magdalen College.
Queen Elizabeth I took part in academic debates in Greek and Latin in the hall in 1566.
Queen Elizabeth I took part in academic debates in Greek and Latin in the hall in 1566.
Outside it was time to visit Addison's Walk, across the Chertwell River to a small island.
Outside it was time to visit Addison’s Walk, across the Chertwell River to a small island. It was one of Lewis’ favorite walking places.
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The sign on the gate was amusing to this Wisconsin Badger.
This is a poem by C.S. Lewis about Addison's Walk, that is posted on a wall at the first corner.
This is a poem by C.S. Lewis about Addison’s Walk, that is posted on a wall at the first corner.
Along the walk, heading back towards Magdalen Tower.
Along the walk, heading back towards Magdalen Tower.
Crossing back over the Chertwell River, looking towards the New Building.
Crossing back over the Chertwell River, looking towards the New Building. (Newer than the rest of the buildings, built in 1735.) The rooms occupied by C.S. Lewis are on the second floor, first windows to the right of the protruding center section.
Lewis entered this door thousands of times to get to his rooms.
Lewis entered this door thousands of times to get to his rooms.
And walked across the New Building Lawns along this path.
And walked across the New Building Lawns along this path.
Eastgate Hotel, along High Street, was located between Magdalen College (where Lewis taught) and Merton College (where Tolkien taught).
Eastgate Hotel, along High Street, was located between Magdalen College (where Lewis taught) and Merton College (where Tolkien taught). It was a convenient place for them to meet.
The Examination Schools, further down High Street, were where Lewis and Tolkien examined their students.
The Examination Schools, further down High Street, were where Lewis and Tolkien examined their students.
And a little further down was University College, where Lewis was a student
And a little further down was University College, where Lewis was a student between 1917 and 1923 (with some time off to fight in World War I).
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Across High Street is an alley known as St. Mary’s Passage, which has several Narnia references, including the lamp post (with the Radcliffe Camera, the round building, just beyond).
Father Christmas, I think.
And this, which I’m not sure about but it resembles Father Christmas, I think.
the Lamb & Flag, another pub frequented by Lewis and Tolkien.
The tour ends at St. Giles Street, at the Lamb & Flag, another pub frequented by Lewis and Tolkien.
And across the street, the most famous of all of the haunts of Lewis and Tolkien, The Eagle and Child, which has been closed for several years.
And across the street, the most famous of all of the haunts of Lewis and Tolkien and the Inklings: The Eagle and Child, which has been closed for several years.

Next post in the Oxford series: Archaeologizing with Lawrence of Arabia.

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