Growing up, reading a book was my escape into a new world. My favorite books consisted of Harry Potter<em>Harry Potter</em> and and Chronicles of Narnia<em> Chronicles of Narnia</em>; I eventually added ; I eventually added The Lord of the Rings<em>The Lord of the Rings</em> and sometimes even a few classics. Never had I ever imagined I would be walking the footsteps of my favorite authors and seeing my favorite stories come to life. and sometimes even a few classics. Never had I ever imagined I would be walking the footsteps of my favorite authors and seeing my favorite stories come to life. Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia; I eventually added The Lord of the Rings and sometimes even a few classics. Never had I ever imagined I would be walking the footsteps of my favorite authors and seeing my favorite stories come to life.

Oxford was where the authors of these books and many more sat down to write, learn or just be inspired. I knew when I arrived I would be seeing locations where scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed and I couldn’t wait, but what I didn’t know was the amazing number of other locations I would come in contact with.

I was confused when walking by shops advertising Alice in Wonderland<em>Alice in Wonderland</em> merchandise, until I realized that Lewis Carroll had attended Oxford University and the meadows surrounding Oxford inspired many of the locations that were in the book. merchandise, until I realized that Lewis Carroll had attended Oxford University and the meadows surrounding Oxford inspired many of the locations that were in the book. Alice in Wonderland merchandise, until I realized that Lewis Carroll had attended Oxford University and the meadows surrounding Oxford inspired many of the locations that were in the book.

Not only that, during a short cut between buildings we incidentally ran into a tour group where the guide pointed at a randomly placed lamppost that inspired the Chronicles of Narnia<em>Chronicles of Narnia</em> and a little statue of a fawn that was on a doorway next to it. The real inspiration for the beginning of and a little statue of a fawn that was on a doorway next to it. The real inspiration for the beginning of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe<em>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</em> ended up being somewhere we accidentally stumbled upon. C.S. Lewis had used this as a starting point for his books. ended up being somewhere we accidentally stumbled upon. C.S. Lewis had used this as a starting point for his books. Chronicles of Narnia and a little statue of a fawn that was on a doorway next to it. The real inspiration for the beginning of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe ended up being somewhere we accidentally stumbled upon. C.S. Lewis had used this as a starting point for his books.

The one location we waited the longest to visit was Christ Church, where we got to see the actual great hall that was used for inspiration for the great hall in Harry Potter. The staircase outside of it was also used in filming and I had the opportunity to stand at a place where I knew the actors had once stood.

Everywhere we walked there were locations labeled for their reference to books and famous authors that had once graced their doors. I knew I would be seeing a college town, but had no idea how relevant it would be to my own childhood. Places that talked about J.R.R. Tolkein, C.S. Lewis, or J.K. Rowling, they were all places I was proud to say I walked.

The town itself was beautiful, the buildings laced in history, and the people dressed in robes all felt like I was being transported to a new world. Oxford is a place I recommend to everyone that comes to Harlaxton. I promise you won’t be letdown.