C. S. Lewis House
Lewis Close, Headington, Oxford, OX3 8JD, GB
Rating: 4.8 ★ (181 ratings)
Details
The Kilns, a charming house in Headington, Oxford, was the cherished home of C.S. Lewis from 1930 until his death in 1963. It was within these walls and the surrounding eight-acre garden, a place Lewis described as "such stuff as dreams are made of," that he penned all of his beloved Narnia books and other classic works. Originally built in 1922 on the site of a former brickworks, the property, with its lake formed from a flooded clay pit, provided a tranquil and inspiring setting for Lewis. He shared the home with his brother Warnie and Mrs. Janie Moore, the mother of a war-time friend he had promised to care for, and her daughter Maureen. The house and its evocative landscape are thought to have significantly influenced his writing, with the extensive grounds even inspiring tales told to children evacuated there from London during the war, which later grew into *The Chronicles of Narnia*.
Today, The Kilns is owned and operated by the C.S. Lewis Foundation and serves as a study centre, preserving the atmosphere that Lewis himself experienced. Visitors can book a tour to explore the rooms where Lewis lived and worked, including his upstairs study where it's believed the Narnia tales were written. The interior has been carefully restored to reflect the period when Lewis resided there, offering a unique glimpse into his daily life and the sources of his literary inspiration. Tours are available by appointment and provide a fascinating insight into the life and work of the celebrated author. Adjacent to the house is the C.S. Lewis Nature Reserve, incorporating part of Lewis's original garden and the pond where he and his brother used to swim, offering a peaceful space for reflection.
Comments
The home is still a working residence for scholars studying at Oxford, which adds to the lived-in feel. It’s clear the foundation does the heavy lifting to maintain it, and you can’t help but wish the Lewis (Gresham) estate would invest more in preserving this important piece of literary history.
Our guide was kind, well-informed, and passionate about Lewis’s life and legacy. Highly recommended for anyone who has been shaped by his work—you will walk away with a greater sense of his humanity.