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Through the Oxford Glass: The Real Magic of Alice, Harry, and Lyra

3.9 km120 min7 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step beyond the veil of reality and discover the hidden Oxford that birthed the world's greatest fantasy epics. On this whimsical and nostalgic redthread tour, you'll trace the footsteps of Lewis Carroll, J.K. Rowling's cinematic wizards, and Philip Pullman's parallel universes. From a 15th-century sweet shop to the gritty canals of Jericho, we'll reveal how ancient academia, gothic architecture, and overlooked local spaces transformed into Wonderland, Hogwarts, and Lyra's Oxford. Join us to find the magic hiding in plain sight.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Alice's Shop

The 15th-century sweet shop that inspired Lewis Carroll's 'Old Sheep Shop'.

Alice's Shop

Pic by Philip Halling on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

0.16 km • 3 min
2

STOP 2

Christ Church

The epicenter of Oxford's fantasy connections, inspiring Hogwarts.

Christ Church

Pic by Dmitry Djouce on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

0.54 km • 8 min
3

STOP 3

Exeter College

Philip Pullman's alma mater and the inspiration for Jordan College.

Exeter College

Pic by Godot13 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.03 km • 0 min
4

STOP 4

Divinity School, Bodleian Library

A masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, used as the Hogwarts Hospital Wing.

Divinity School, Bodleian Library

Pic by Diliff on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.37 km • 6 min
5

STOP 5

New College

Filming location for Harry Potter, famous for the Draco Malfoy ferret scene.

New College

Pic by Richard on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

1.37 km • 21 min
6

STOP 6

Pitt Rivers Museum

A dense anthropology museum that inspired a key location in His Dark Materials.

Pitt Rivers Museum

Pic by Rhododendrites on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

1.39 km • 21 min
7

END

Oxford Canal, Jericho

The working-class waterways that inspired the Fens in His Dark Materials.

Oxford Canal, Jericho

Pic by Stephen Craven on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Fantasy literature fans, Potterheads, architecture enthusiasts, and dreamers seeking the magic behind the mundane.
  • Best time Late afternoon, when the golden hour light hits the dreaming spires and the shadows grow long.
  • Footwear Cobblestones abound, so comfortable walking shoes are an absolute must.
  • College Hours Check college opening times in advance, as they occasionally close for private academic events.
  • Weather Bring an umbrella; Oxford's weather can be as unpredictable as a shifting staircase.
  • Snacks Grab some barley sugar at Alice's Shop to keep your energy up!
  • Pace yourself Take time to linger in the Pitt Rivers Museum—it's dense and deserves a slow look.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Hannah Clarke
Audio sample
0:000:00

Hannah Clarke

  • Pop Culture & Media Landscapes
  • Southern England

Pop culture scout. Leads to filming locations, music hotspots, and fan cultures – where fiction and reality touch.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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