20 travel destinations inspired by Lord of the Rings

Tolkien’s old home – Oxford, U.K.

For The Lord of the Rings fans who love J.R.R. Tolkien’s books as much as Peter Jackson’s film adaptations, it might be enjoyable to travel to significant places from the author’s life. One such place is Tolkien’s home in Oxford, England, which is still standing today.

Located at 20 Northmoor Road, the house was built in the 1920s and home to Tolkien and his family between the years 1930 and 1937. It’s the house where Tolkien wrote The Hobbit and the majority of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, granting it Grade II protection from being demolished. Though the Tolkien family didn’t remain in the house for all that long, it hasn’t changed much from the time they lived there.

Currently, there doesn’t appear to be a tour that takes visitors inside of Tolkien’s old home. Fans can, however, glimpse the house from the outside—perhaps imagining what his time there was like. They can also embark on the Official C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien Walking Tour, which showcases other parts of his life in Oxford.

Other Tolkien-related stops on the walking tour include Exeter College, where he taught during his time in Oxford, as well as some of the pubs Tolkien frequented (one of which we’ll discuss later in this article). Visiting his house, as well as going on the tour, might give fans some insight into what inspired the author to write his fantasy series, and both things will give readers background on Tolkien’s history and personal life.