'His Dark Materials’ Self-Guided Tour: A Guide to Lyra’s Oxford
- 1.3–1.8 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Oxford is a city where real and fictional worlds collide in Philip Pullman’s beloved fantasy series. On this self-guided audio tour, you'll explore the real Oxford locations that inspired Jordan College, discover filming spots from The Golden Compass and BBC’s His Dark Materials adaptation, and step into scenes straight from the pages of Pullman’s novels. From ancient college quadrangles to atmospheric lanes, you’ll experience Oxford through the eyes of Lyra Belacqua and her daemon Pan. The tour starts at Exeter College on Broad Street, the real-world inspiration for Lyra’s Jordan College. You’ll pass through the Covered Market where Roger would buy vegetables for Jordan College kitchens. You’ll also visit the magnificent Bodleian Library where the alethiometer is kept in Lyra’s world, and pass under the photogenic Hertford Bridge where Lyra and Roger were filmed fleeing from Gyptian children. You’ll see where many scenes from the adaptations were filmed.
Inclusions
What's included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
What's not
- Smartphone and headphones
Itinerary
You’ll pass by Exeter College, one of Oxford’s historic colleges, admired for its grand quadrangle and classical architecture. Please note that entry to the college is not included in this tour.
You’ll pass by the Bodleian Library, one of Europe’s oldest libraries and a centre of scholarship for centuries. Please note that entry to the library is not included in this tour.
You’ll pass by the History of Science Museum, home to collections that trace the development of scientific thought and discovery. Please note that entry to the museum is not included in this tour.
You’ll pass by the Hertford Bridge, often called the Bridge of Sighs, linking two parts of Hertford College above New College Lane. Please note that entry to any buildings associated with the bridge is not included in this tour.
You’ll pass by the Radcliffe Camera, one of Oxford’s most recognisable landmarks, admired for its circular design and domed roof. Please note that entry to the building is not included in this tour.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- This tour starts in front of Exeter College on Broad Street. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Oxford
- Its from-price is 86% below the median of the 267 experiences we list in Oxford.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Oxford
Oxford is England's famous university city, with honey-coloured colleges, libraries, museums and river meadows beside the Thames and the Cherwell.
Oxford has been a university town since the 12th century, and its dreaming spires belong to colleges that stand shoulder to shoulder around quadrangles and gardens. The Radcliffe Camera, a round domed library, the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian Theatre and Christ Church, whose dining hall inspired scenes in the Harry Potter films, are the best known. The Hertford Bridge, a covered footbridge nicknamed the Bridge of Sighs, links two parts of one college.
Top-ranked sights in Oxford: Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, Trinity College .
Special offers in Oxford
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
