The World of C. S. Lewis: Oxford, Cambridge, London
We are not accepting applications anymore for this tour. If you want more C.S. Lewis, you can read our article on his philosophy of prayer, or you can find book recommendations on our GoodReads page.
2024 C. S. Lewis Tour with Mike Woodruff
July 5th - 12th
Overview: C. S. Lewis was one of the most influential Christians of the 20th century and a prolific author whose writings have impacted Christians across all denominational lines and traditions. In a poll taken by Christianity Today in 2000, Lewis was voted the most popular Christian author of the century and Mere Christianity was chosen the most outstanding Christian book of the last hundred years. But Lewis was not merely an ivory tower intellectual. He also lived a fascinating and eventful life.
Our tour we will visit some of the most significant places in Lewis’ life from his career as a renowned scholar and author at Oxford University and, later a Professor, at Cambridge University.
This tour is designed for people who want to learn more about following Jesus through the life and writings of C. S. Lewis. While Lewis is the focus of much of the trip, participants will also spend significant time in London and experience historic places around the United Kingdom.
The Kilns; Holy Trinity Church; Magdalen College, Oxford; Randolph Hotel; Eagle & Child Pub; King’s College, Cambridge, Westminster Abbey; British Museum; Tower of London; All Souls Church; Windsor Castle and more.
C. S. Lewis was no average Christian, but he was, to use his own term, a “mere Christian” — one whose life was devoted to the basic core beliefs and practices of the historic Christian faith. In that respect, he serves as a model for us all. As John R. W. Stott once noted, “C. S. Lewis was a Christ-centered, great-tradition mainstream Christian whose stature generations after his death seems greater than anyone ever thought while he was alive, and whose Christian writings are now seen as having classic status.”
Join us on this unique tour of “The World of C. S. Lewis” as we learn more about how God used this man and the events in his life to form him into a true disciple of Christ and a source of enlightenment and inspiration for millions of Christians ever since.
Team Selection & Size: We are targeting a tour of 35-40 participants.
July Tour: Application Deadline: Feb 15, 2024, or until the trip is sold-out. (We have extended the deadline to Monday, March 19)
Cost: $3360 per person for double room, single room $3960.
Airfare is not included. Prices to London are currently higher than usual. In addition, plan on an additional $100-150 for your out-of-pocket expenses.
A required $500 deposit is non-refundable for accepted applications. It is applied toward your total cost. (Payment links at the bottom of the page.)
Land Cost includes: lodging, deluxe bus transportation throughout the country, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all entrance fees, the services of a professional guide and driver, and all tips. (Also includes Les Miserables in London theater, entrance to Windsor Castle, and High Tea at Fortnum and Mason.)
Land Costs do not include: Airport shuttle to Oxford, trip insurance, snacks, alcoholic beverages at meals, and souvenirs.
TOUR PAYMENTS
If you are staying in a single room, your second payment due is $3460.
If you are staying in a double room, your second payment due is $2860 per person.
*Second Payment Due April 30th
Travel / Airfare
Airfaire will be on your own, but there will be a recommended flight with a team member from Christ Church if you wish to fly with a group and coordinate transportation from London to Oxford.
UPDATED TRAVEL ITINERARY
FRIDAY 5TH JULY
Arrival time and terminal
United arrival time - 11.45am to terminal 2. I will be there at 12.30pm at arrivals. Walk through the
tunnel to terminal 3 where we will meet the others at 1.00pm outside Costa Coffee. Everyone picks up their own lunch.
Bus: Will pick up at terminal 3 at 2.00pm. Most people will be there and the balance will be meeting us in Oxford (Mike Woodruff)
Departure to Oxford Drop off at Mecure Hotel, 73 High Street, Oxford, OX1 BE Should be there at 3.45pm
Walk to Martyrs Cross and Memorial on the way to supper
Dinner at Randolph Hotel (NOT INCLUDED) booked for 5.30pm in the Alice Restaurant Back to the hotel for an early night
SATURDAY 6TH JULY
Pick up at 9.30am
Holy Trinity Church - see grave of C.S.Lewis, his brother Warnie and see where he sat in the Church together with the Narnia Window which is covered up now because of lots of work being done.
10.30 Kilns/C.S. Lewis home
Visit the home with guides and then go the back to see the pond where Lewis often felt inspired together with bomb shelter
12.30 Bus drop us off in city for lunch at Pret n manger. 1.45 Walk to Magdalen College.
Visit this beautiful college and walk in Addison’s walk where C.S. Lewis became a Theist. Point out his rooms where he was a lecturer. The interesting Chapel and the beautiful garden.
5.30pm Bus pick us up at Magdalen College for dinner at the Giggling Squid Oxford (Jericho area) Drinks not included
7.45 Leave for London and arrive at Club Quarters Hotel St Paul’s at 9.00pm
SUNDAY 7TH JULY
Leave hotel at 9.00am. Take Bus 26 to St James Park Station and walk through St. James Park and see Buckingham Palace, St. James Palace and walk through Green Park, and take bus 453 or 88 to All Souls Church (Please bring a credit or debit card to pay for your public transport)
11.15am Look at BBC behind All Soul’s where C.S. Lewis broadcast during the 2nd World War 11.30pm All Souls service
1.15pm Lunch at John Lewis Place to Eat. Leave at 2.30pm
3.00pm London Eye: Take bus 453 from St. Margarets Place
4.45pm Round trip cruise on the River Thames
6.30pm Dinner at Cote Brasserie St. Paul’s - Take bus 26 to St Paul’s (Drinks not included and must be paid separately)
MONDAY 8th JULY
9.15am Leave for St Pauls for Christian Heritage tour of the city
12.00pm Bus no 15 from St. Paul’s Churchyard to Tower of London. Lunch at Liberty Bounds.
1.45pm Tower of London with Beefeater. (Starts at 2.00pm). Bus 15 back to St. Paul’s. Leave from outside the Tower of London shop at 4.15 and walk to bus stop.
5.00pm Evensong St. Paul’s
6.00pm Dinner at Cafe Rouge. (Drinks not included)
TUESDAY 9TH JULY
8.00am Bus for Cambridge
10.00am Punting on the River Cam
11.15am Our bus will take us to Tyndale House, Selwyn Gardens for time with Peter Williams
12.30 Lunch at Michaelhouse Cafe
2.30pm Christian Heritage Cambridge Walk
4.45pm Walk to Eagle Pub and have a drink at this historic pub 5.30pm Dinner at Browns (Fish and Chips)
7.30 Back to London
WEDNESDAY 10th JULY
9.15am leave for British museum
10.00am. Meet Ben for tour
12.30. Free time (do not eat lunch)
3.00pm Fortnum and Mason for afternoon tea Drinks not included except the tea/ coffee that comes with the high tea
6.15pm leave for Theatre Les Miserables (walk) At Piccadilly Circus take Shaftesbury Road to Theatre. Afterwards walk to St Martins in the Field and take bus no 15 to St. Paul’s Cathedral. It leaves from the Strand.
THURSDAY 11th JULY
9.00 Leave for Westminster Abbey for 9.30am start (I will go early to get tickets). Take bus 26 to Westminster Station and walk across the street to the Abbey. I will meet you in the store.
11.15 Depart for Windsor on the train from Paddington (Lunch at Paddington station)
2.00 Entrance to Windsor Castle
Rest of afternoon free
4.45 Meet at Windsor castle for evensong at 5.15 Entrance close to St. George’s Chapel. Do not forget to go into the Chapel on your tour and see Queen Elizabeth’s grave.
6.15 Dinner at Ivy (set menu) Drinks not included 8.20 Back to London and hotel
Friday 12 July
9.00am bus pickup for Heathrow
Lodging & Meals: We are staying at tourist-class facilities to keep costs reasonable, yet still having a quality experience. The Club Quarter’s Hotel St. Paul in London, where we will spend the majority of our stay, is particularly nice and extremely convenient. The meals, which are covered in the trip costs, will allow you to taste local cuisine. *Drinks are not included in the trip costs.
Mike Woodruff, Tour Host; Ben Dockery, Assistant Tour Host; or Elizabeth Bollmann, Tour Administrator.
Questions? Contact Elizabeth: ebollmann@christchurchil.org
Requirements for the Trip
Class Lectures - You will be required to view 6 lectures prior to the tour. Mike Woodruff will be teaching a class starting Jan 22nd with a guest lecture from renowned Lewis scholar, Dr. Jerry Root. The live class starts Jan 30th, but you can also view the lectures at your own pace. The content of the class will give all tour participants a solid base to appreciate and learn more about C. S. Lewis and the world in which he lived.
Advance Exercise - This trip will include a good bit of walking. The streets of Oxford and London can be uneven, and at times slippery. It is important that you are of good health and are willing to exercise in preparation for this trip. Prep for this trip should include walking up and down hills and stairs.
Team Meetings - We will have two team meetings prior to the trip. We will have both in-person and online options. If you do not live in the area - you are not expected to fly in. We ask you to make your best effort to attend each session so you can meet fellow travelers and know the trip logistics. We will be broken into cohorts for team reflections and ease of travel. Those cohorts will begin at the team meetings.