Open Country

CS Lewis Nature Reserve, Oxfordshire


Listen Later

65 years after the first publication of The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe, Helen Mark discovers a real life Narnia in the form of a tranquil Oxfordshire woodland that once belonged to CS Lewis.

It is said that Lewis enjoyed wandering here while writing his children's book series which includes The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and that he and his brother 'Warnie' planted trees amongst the woodland. The reserve - now owned and managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust - was Lewis's back garden. At that time, the area of Risinghurst was a rural escape on the fringes of Oxford. Today, with the A40 nearby and surrounded by houses, this small area of land has managed to keep its sense of stillness.

Lewis's red brick home 'The Kilns', still nestles to the edge of the reserve. Today it is cared for by The CS Lewis Foundation and as Helen discovers, it still holds strong memories for CS Lewis's former secretary and friend, Walter Hooper.

CS Lewis was laid to rest in the grounds of the church where he worshipped, just a short walk away, at Holy Trinity Church Headington Quarry.

Including interviews with Reserve Warden Mark Bradfield, local historian Mike Stranks, Rev David Beckmann and Walter Hooper.

Presented by Helen Mark

Produced by Nicola Humphries.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Open CountryBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

83 ratings


More shows like Open Country

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,583 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,057 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,463 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,801 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,747 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,042 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

2,085 Listeners

Desert Island Discs by BBC Radio 4

Desert Island Discs

1,976 Listeners

Great Lives by BBC Radio 4

Great Lives

477 Listeners

Saturday Live by BBC Radio 4

Saturday Live

38 Listeners

Farming Today by BBC Radio 4

Farming Today

66 Listeners

Gardeners' Question Time by BBC Radio 4

Gardeners' Question Time

282 Listeners

The Food Programme by BBC Radio 4

The Food Programme

266 Listeners

Scotland Outdoors by BBC Radio Scotland

Scotland Outdoors

253 Listeners

Ramblings by BBC Radio 4

Ramblings

157 Listeners

The Plodcast by Our Media

The Plodcast

106 Listeners

Gardening with the RHS by Royal Horticultural Society

Gardening with the RHS

253 Listeners

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast by National Trust

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

102 Listeners

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle by BBC World Service

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle

4,166 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,187 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

719 Listeners

As the Season Turns by Ffern

As the Season Turns

235 Listeners

Life Changing by BBC Radio 4

Life Changing

101 Listeners

A Life More Wild by Canopy & Stars

A Life More Wild

26 Listeners

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth by Gyles Brandreth / Plain Jaine Media

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

486 Listeners