One room to bind them all –staying in Middle-Earth and Narnia

July 4, 2024 - PRLog -- Hobbit lovers and fans of the magical world of Narnia can now stay in some of the Oxford colleges where the famous authors of The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia spent much of their lives. The city is also the home of many places that inspired some of the most famous scenes in literature.

Lily Smith, a travel expert from the specialist accommodation finder UniversityRooms.com, says: 'J.R.R. Tolkien was a student at Exeter College, Oxford, and later a professor at Pembroke and then Merton College in the city. C.S. Lewis was a student at University College and then became a tutor at Magdalen College.

'Magdalen is one of a number of historic Oxford colleges where it's possible to book rooms throughout the long summer (and Easter) vacations. From his rooms, Lewis could see the famous deer park. People can also stay at Magdalen's Waynflete Building, just across Magdalen Bridge, from just £55 a night.

'Both Tolkien and Lewis were members of a famous literary club called the Inklings, which met in local pubs such as the Eagle and Child on St Giles Street. Here they eagerly discussed their new works in a snug known as the Rabbit Room. Sadly, the Eagle and Child is closed for refurbishment this summer but, across the road, The Lamb and Flag was another favourite meeting place.

'Oxford also inspired many favourite locations in both Middle-Earth and Narnia. Radcliffe Camera, which is actually a library, is widely believed to be the basis of Sauron's temple to Morgoth on Nümenor.

'Looking at the sagging 14^th-century timbers of Laird Hatters at 28 Cornmarket Street (on the corner of Ship Street), it's not hard to imagine the buildings in Bree, while the towering Hornbeam tree in Tolkien's beloved Botanical Gardens is said to have inspired Quickbeam, one of the Ents from Fangorn Forest.

'Even amid the busy modern streets of Oxford, it is not hard to find traces of the magical world of Narnia as well. A door in St Mary's Passage, off the High Street, into Brasenose College is thought to have inspired The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The centrepiece features a carved face that resembles Aslan, while its frame is flanked by fauns looking very much like Mr Tumnus.

'Just ahead to the right, at the entrance to Radcliffe Square stands a solitary lamppost. It is widely believed to be the actual one that Lewis had in mind marking the entrance to the magical kingdom of Narnia.

'Using the innovative service UniversityRooms.com, visitors can choose from singles and doubles with ensuite facilities, on a B&B or self-catering basis. For more information on staying in Oxford, see https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/city/oxford/home/