CS Lewis Community Nature Reserve
5 Lewis Close, Oxford, OX3 8JD, GB
Rating: 4.6 ★ (243 ratings)
Details
A tranquil woodland and large pond, once part of celebrated author CS Lewis's garden, offers a surprising sense of stillness despite its proximity to the A40 and surrounding houses. It is said that Lewis himself enjoyed wandering this very land while penning his famous Narnia series, and he and his brother even planted some of the trees here. The centrepiece is a large pond, a flooded Victorian clay pit, which is now teeming with aquatic plants. In spring, it becomes a crucial breeding ground for toads, and throughout the summer, visitors can delight in the sight of dragonflies and damselflies dancing over the water. Moorhens and coots are also regular nesters in this peaceful haven.
The steeply rising woodland, with its canopy of beech, oak, birch, alder, and hawthorn, is filled with birdsong in the spring. Keep an eye out for the large 'sandstone doggers' – impressive boulders dotted along the wooded slopes. The reserve has been a popular spot for children's field study trips and pond dipping since 1969, offering a chance to hunt for minibeasts among the log piles or explore woodland dens. Pathways, some of which can be steep and muddy, wind through the trees, and a children's discovery trail map can be downloaded from the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust website. You might even find the brick bench where Lewis reportedly sat for inspiration.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: Open 24 hours; Tuesday: Open 24 hours; Wednesday: Open 24 hours; Thursday: Open 24 hours; Friday: Open 24 hours; Saturday: Open 24 hours; Sunday: Open 24 hours
Comments
It’s free to enter, and while parking is very limited, the stillness and sense of history make it a meaningful stop. For fans of Lewis or anyone in need of a quiet moment, this place is a hidden treasure.
Unspoilt country surroundings, hidden lake, very quiet. Just a nice restful place.