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The Kilns (cs Lewis House)
Lewis Close, Headington, Oxford, OX3 8JD, GB
Rating: 4.8 ★ (181 ratings)
Details
Tucked away in Lewis Close, Headington, you'll find The Kilns, the cherished Oxford home of C.S. Lewis from 1930 until his death in 1963. It was within these walls and amidst its tranquil eight-acre garden, complete with a pond, that Lewis penned all of his famous Narnia tales and other significant literary works. The house, originally built in 1922 on the site of a former brickworks, still retains the name suggested by two large brick kilns that once stood on the grounds. Lewis shared this home with his brother Warnie and Mrs. Janie Moore, the mother of his close friend from World War I, and her daughter Maureen. He once wrote of the property, "I never hoped for the like," a testament to the inspiration and solace he found there.
Now owned and operated by the C.S. Lewis Foundation, The Kilns serves as a Study Centre, fostering Christian hospitality, scholarly work, and reflection in a manner that echoes Lewis's own time there. While not a conventional museum, pre-arranged tours offer a unique opportunity to see Lewis's study, the living room, and other rooms filled with artifacts that bring his life and stories into focus. Visitors can gain insight into the everyday life of the celebrated author and the domestic world that undoubtedly shaped his imaginative creations. The surrounding C.S. Lewis Nature Reserve, with its woodland and pond, also offers a glimpse into the landscapes that are said to have inspired the magical world of Narnia. To ensure a quality experience for resident scholars, tours should be requested well in advance via the C.S. Lewis Foundation website.
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.