Much of J. R. R. Tolkien’s childhood was spent in Birmingham. Start at Sarehole Mill, near where Tolkien explored and was inspired to write The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings books. Stop in Rednal at Fern Cottage. Now a private residence, it was here Tolkien lived with the postman after his mother’s death as he attended school. Pass by King Edward’s School, where Tolkien attended on your way to a visit at Francis Asbury’s Home. Sent to America by Wesley, Asbury became the first elected bishop of the American Methodist Church. Head south to Warwick, where Edith Mary Bratt married Tolkien at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church. Finish the day in Oxford and enjoy dinner at the Trout Inn after checking into your hotel. (B, D)

This morning, you will enjoy a walking tour of Oxford. Start with a tour of Merton College, where twice J. R. R. Tolkien was a professor. From her just a few steps to visit Magdalen (pronounced “Maudlin”) College, where C. S. Lewis was a fellow for most of his academic career. Here, Jack worked through his beliefs from Atheism to Theism to Christianity, as well as became the prolific writer and apologist known today. Stop at University College, the oldest college in Oxford (1249). Jack received a scholarship to attend here in 1916 and, after entering the Officers Training Corps, was later sent to France in World War I. Stop at Exeter College, where Tolkien studied before he also traveled to serve in World War I. Continue to Christ Church College and visit the dining hall where John Wesley and other alumni are honored on the walls. Walk around the exteriors of Pembroke College, where Tolkien first served as a professor after the Great War. Walk through the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Here, the Oxford Martyrs were tried for heresy, and John Wesley preached until his views were rejected. Walk through the Sheldonian Theater, where scholars have graduated or been granted honorary degrees since 1669. John and Charles Wesley and C. S. Lewis were among the many famous people to have celebrated their degrees here. Included in the tour here is a visit to the Bodleian Library, the main research library for Oxford with 12 million items. Spend the afternoon in the Ashmolean Museum, the world’s first university museum. The museum contains a vast and unique collection, ranging from pieces by Da Vinci and Picasso to a Stradivarius violin and Cromwell’s death mask. Return to your hotel for your overnight stay. (B)

The city of Gloucester boasts a small church that changed the world! You’ll learn about George Whitefield, who grew up in the congregation of St. Mary de Crypt. He was at Oxford with the Wesley brothers and became an ardent member of their Holy Club. Known as the greatest orator of his day, George Whitefield’s talents led him to minister in America. St. Mary de Crypt also produced Robert Raikes, founder of the Sunday School movement. Both Whitefield and Raikes had a profound influence on Wesley. He also embraced Raikes Sunday School movement. At St. Mary de Crypt, the first Women’s Society was founded. After lunch on your own, continue to London for a driving tour. See Trafalgar Square, Parliament and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, and other historic sights. Time permitting, attend Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the masterpiece of architect Christopher Wren, built after the Great Fire of 1666. John Wesley often worshiped here. On the day of his conversion, Wesley came here for an afternoon service and was deeply moved by the choir’s anthem, “Out of the Deep Have I Called Unto Thee, O Lord.”(B)

This morning, walk through the Churchill War Rooms, learning about how this nerve center led British efforts in World War II. From here, you will stop at the BBC Studios. C. S. Lewis was asked to broadcast during the war, and his series of talks were later edited to become the book Mere Christianity. This afternoon, you will explore the Tower of London. Learn about its many prisoners who suffered for their beliefs amidst its 900+ year history. (B)

John and Charles Wesley left their marks on the town of London. You’ll have a lecture at City Road Chapel, the site of Wesley’s home and grave. Across the street in Bunhill Fields Cemetery, Susanna Wesley is buried along with other famous personages such as John Bunyan and Daniel Defoe. Walk on to Aldersgate Street, where on May 24, 1738, John Wesley had his “Warming of the Heart” experience. You will walk past the entrance of “Little Britain,” where Charles Wesley had his conversion experience just three days earlier. This afternoon, tour Westminster Abbey, begun by King Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. It is the traditional coronation place for British monarchs, and royalty and famous people of England are buried or memorialized here. Across the street from the cathedral is the Methodist Central Hall. Still a church, it was an early site of the initial meetings of the United Nations. (B)