CS Lewis Nature Reserve

The CS Lewis nature reserve is quite frankly one of the most random nature reserves I think I’ve ever come across! It sits right next to the very busy A40 in the middle of Headington yet I would never have known it was there. It’s so peaceful and beautiful.

The CS Lewis nature reserve once belonged to the famous author CS Lewis. He is said to have strolled through the woodland enjoying the tranquility while writing his Narnia books. The nature reserve is now managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trusts (BBOWT).

The pond, a flooded Victorian clay pit, is a great place to do some pond dipping. We spent ages with our nets and a bucket seeing what we could find. Everything we caught was of course carefully placed back where we found it. The kids literally spent hours pond dipping and didn’t want to leave so I highly recommend taking nets and a bucket with you.

As well as our pond findings we also saw lots of dragonflies and moorhens too. The area is said to be popular with toads in the spring.

Boy holding net pond dipping at CS Lewis nature reserve

The woods are on a very steep incline so be prepared for a lot of hard work following the path up the embankment. I had Baby Bear in his backpack carrier and was glad to rest on a bench part way!

Woodland on steep incline with wooden bench

It’s a great place to explore and well worth the effort. Little legs may struggle though and it definitely isn’t pushchair friendly. There’s a boardwalk which was a little iffy in places so be careful along there too. I’m not painting it in a very good light here am I?! But trust me it’s a great place to explore!

Boardwalk through woodland with dog walking along it

We even found a den which had been built by previous visitors.

Stick den in the woods at CS Lewis nature reserve

The Verdict

CS Lewis nature reserve is perfect for pond dipping and for older kids who are happy to clamber around and explore to their hearts content. Wear wellies or good walking boots and takes nets and a bucket with you. It’s a really beautiful woodland to enjoy.