Blue Plaque: J.R.R. Tolkien
The Oxford home where Tolkien wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, marked by a historic blue plaque.
A historic blue plaque marks 20 Northmoor Road in North Oxford, the former home and creative sanctuary of J.R.R. Tolkien from 1930 to 1947. Within these walls, the Oxford academic and author wrote The Hobbit and much of The Lord of the Rings, two of the most influential fantasy works ever created. The Grade II-listed house, unveiled on the plaque in 2002 by Tolkien's daughter Priscilla, stands as a literary landmark celebrating one of the 20th century's greatest storytellers and his enduring legacy.
A brief summary to Blue Plaque: J.R.R. Tolkien
- 20 Northmoor Rd, Oxford, OX2 6UR, GB
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.25 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- The plaque is located on the exterior of a private residence, so viewing is from the street only. Respect the privacy of the current residents and do not attempt to access the property.
- Visit during daylight hours to photograph the blue plaque clearly. The climbing rose on the wall near the plaque adds seasonal visual interest, particularly in summer months.
- Combine your visit with other North Oxford literary and academic landmarks, including the nearby homes of other notable Oxford residents and the university's historic colleges.
- The Grade II-listed architecture of the house itself is worth appreciating from the street. Note the Queen Anne style elements and the 1924 construction details visible from the road.
- December 3rd marks the anniversary of the plaque's unveiling in 2002. Consider visiting around this date if you wish to engage with Tolkien enthusiast communities or commemorative events.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Walking from Oxford City Centre
From Oxford's city centre, walk north along Banbury Road for approximately 1.5 kilometres, taking roughly 20–25 minutes. Northmoor Road runs parallel to and east of Banbury Road. Turn east onto Northmoor Road; the blue plaque is located on the north-facing side of the street at number 20. The route is flat, well-lit, and passes through residential North Oxford.
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Bus from City Centre
Take bus routes 2, 2A, or 7 from Cornmarket Street or Queen Street in the city centre heading north toward Banbury Road. Journey time is approximately 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Alight at the Banbury Road stop nearest to Northmoor Road, then walk east across Banbury Road to access Northmoor Road. Buses run regularly throughout the day; single fares cost approximately £1.80–£2.50.
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Cycling from City Centre
Cycle north from the city centre via Banbury Road, a journey of approximately 1.5 kilometres taking 5–10 minutes. Oxford has extensive cycle lanes and infrastructure. Northmoor Road is accessible from Banbury Road by turning east. There are no dedicated cycle parking facilities at the plaque itself, but residential streets nearby offer space for securing bicycles.
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Taxi or Car from City Centre
Journey time by taxi or car from Oxford's city centre is approximately 5–10 minutes depending on traffic. Parking is available on Northmoor Road itself or on nearby residential streets, though spaces may be limited during peak hours. The postcode OX2 6UR can be entered into navigation systems. Note that this is a residential area; park considerately and respect residents' driveways.
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Discover more about Blue Plaque: J.R.R. Tolkien
The House Where Middle-earth Was Born
At 20 Northmoor Road in North Oxford stands a Grade II-listed house that became the creative crucible for some of the world's most beloved literature. Built in 1924 by architect Fred E Openshaw, this substantial Queen Anne-style residence became the home of J.R.R. Tolkien in 1930, when the Oxford academic and Pembroke College fellow leased the property. It was here, in the drawing room converted into a study, that Tolkien would craft the imaginative worlds that captivated generations of readers. The house itself remains largely unaltered since the 1940s, preserving the atmosphere in which literary history was made.The Genesis of The Hobbit
The story of The Hobbit's creation is now part of literary legend. According to accounts, Tolkien was marking examination papers when he encountered a blank answer sheet. Inspiration struck, and he wrote a single line: "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." This spontaneous phrase, born from a moment of creative impulse, became the opening line of a sprawling tale that would first entertain his four children—John, Michael, Christopher, and Priscilla—before captivating the world. The typescript, initially unfinished, eventually reached Susan Dagnall at publishers George Allen and Unwin, who encouraged Tolkien to complete the work. The publisher's young son, Rayner Unwin, tested the manuscript and gave his enthusiastic approval, leading to publication in 1937 and immediate success.A Sanctuary for Epic Composition
Tolkien's tenure at 20 Northmoor Road extended far beyond The Hobbit. The house became his workspace for composing much of The Lord of the Rings, the monumental sequel that would eventually be published under the guidance of the now-grown Rayner Unwin. During his seventeen years at this address, Tolkien balanced his academic responsibilities at Oxford with his creative endeavors, producing not only these landmark fantasy novels but also significant scholarly work, including his literary analysis of Beowulf. The drawing room study became a sanctuary where the professor could retreat into the worlds he was constructing, surrounded by the intellectual atmosphere of North Oxford, a neighborhood renowned for housing the city's leading academics and thinkers.Recognition and Legacy
In 2002, the Oxfordshire Blue Plaques Board and Oxford Civic Society unveiled a blue plaque on the house's exterior, formally recognizing its historic importance as the home and workplace of Professor J.R.R. Tolkien. The plaque was unveiled on 3 December 2002 by Priscilla Tolkien, the author's daughter, in a ceremony that honored both the man and the literary treasures created within those walls. The plaque itself, carved in the 1970s by Bill Brown of Kidlington, has become a focal point for literary pilgrims and Tolkien enthusiasts visiting Oxford. The Grade II listing granted in 2004 further ensured the building's preservation, protecting this tangible connection to one of literature's most transformative figures.Northmoor Road's Intellectual Prestige
Tolkien was not the only distinguished resident of Northmoor Road. The street attracted some of the era's most prominent intellectuals, including the Austrian quantum physicist Erwin Schrödinger, who lived nearby from 1933 to 1936 and learned of his Nobel Prize while residing at the road. Nobel laureate James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA's structure, also owned an apartment on the street during his time at Oxford. This concentration of brilliant minds underscores the intellectual character of the neighborhood and the environment in which Tolkien's creative genius flourished.A Private Home with Public Significance
While the blue plaque marks the exterior of the building, it is important to note that 20 Northmoor Road remains a private residence. The plaque itself, visible from the street, commemorates Tolkien's occupancy and his literary achievements without requiring access to the interior. Visitors can appreciate the Grade II-listed architecture, observe the climbing rose on the wall near the plaque, and reflect on the creative work that transformed popular literature. The house stands as a tangible reminder that great works of imagination can emerge from ordinary domestic spaces, and that the study of a devoted scholar can become a portal to extraordinary worlds.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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