Leaving the Wardrobe….C.S. Lewis
I have always been an avid of reader of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia books and was fortunate to have been able to visit his home and gardens in Oxford, where he wrote all of his books. I shared my visit in an earlier post, which you can read here.
Rosie, of LeavesnBloom recently wrote two wonderful posts about Lewis’ earlier life in Northern Ireland and the landscape where he received much of his inspiration of the land of Narnia. You can read her last post here.
And so in closing, I would like to share with you my visit to one of Lewis’ favorite pubs, his church and his final resting place.
First on our list is a visit to the Trout Inn, which is located just outside of Oxford. In this pub, C.S. Lewis would frequently meet with his friend J.R.R. Tolkein (Lord of the Rings author).
As we approached the inn, we were greeted by it’s resident doorman or should I say bird….
The Trout Inn is a wonderful place to visit and eat. The food is delicious. Once inside, you can almost envision the two scholars (Lewis and Tolkein) sharing ideas over a couple of pints of ale.
After our visit to the inn, we went to see his church and grave.
This is Holy Trinity Church, where Lewis worshiped for over 30 years.
Inside the church, you can see the pew where Lewis would sit every Sunday as it is marked with a plaque.
One of the windows of the church, plays tribute to the characters of Narnia.
Who can you identify in the windows?
I see Mr. Beaver, a dwarf, Peter’s shield, Aslan, Digory and Polly on the flying horse Fledge, the mountains of Narnia, Susan’s horn and much more.
We then stepped outside into the church graveyard.
Here is the final resting place of C.S. Lewis, who passed away November 22, 1963.
What a legacy he has left behind for us all to enjoy. I remember reading “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” for the first time as a 7 year old. Then as an adult, I enjoyed reading his stories to my oldest daughters.
I now get to read them to my youngest children 🙂
Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
Hi Noelle,
These photos truly capture the beauty of the places where Lewis lived out his everyday life. My daughter was blessed to study Lewis while living in Oxford during her senior year of college as part of her undergraduate studies. It was a dream come true for her.
He truly left our world a better place. Thanks for sharing this.
Meems
Wonderful post! How amazing that C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tokein were friends, the pub is so charming. The church is beautiful, and is amazing that they have windows portraying the characters from his books.
Hi Noelle – I've been looking forward to this post as its somewhere I've never been to but would like to visit and finish off my own "pilgrimage". I think that church window is beautiful and such a wonderful tribute to him. His Narnia books have a timeless quality to them – I'm thinking of re reading them myself just now. Thankyou so much for the "link love"! 🙂 Rosie
To be greeted by a peacock, oh thats a real gesture. What else can beat peacock at color and elegance… ~bangchik
I have to admit, I've frequented a number of lovely pubs in my day…some with swans, geese, dogs, one even had a goat, but never one with a peacock! This is a lovely conclusion to Rosie's posts. I hadn't seen the church windows before. Thank you for sharing your photos.
Who wouldn't enjoy a meal on that lovely patio and you say the food is good? A double delight.
I didn't read the Chronicals of Narnia as a child but I did read his science fiction.
Oh my goodness, I am so so happy I stopped by here since I love C.S. Lewis. He is my favorite author and my Christian mentor. I very much would love to visit these Lewis sites in person, and also his home the Kilns. I met a man who contributed to preserve Lewis' personal library and got to hold a few of the books.
Now I will look for your follow button.
What a coincidence. I am leading a book club discussion tonight on "The Screwtape Letters," so I was pleased to see and read up on your C.S. Lewis adventures. The inn and church look very idyllic.
Christine in Alaska
Between your posts and Rosie's I'm ready to go visit this all myself. I love of all the history and how picturesque it all is. Reading some of the characters names brought back a lot of memories of those books.
I can't decide which I would have enjoyed the most on your magical trip. I love C.S. Lewis, love pubs, but especially love Oxford, what a gorgeous city of "dreaming spires".
Thank you for this lovely tour, Noelle. I didn't know that Lewis and Tolkien were friends; can you imagine the interesting conversations they must have had! Somehow I missed out on the Chronicles of Narnia as a child…maybe it's not too late for me to start reading them.
I too am a big fan of C.S. Lewis (and Tolkien as well). I have been following Rosie's and your posts on Lewis's stomping grounds. Very enjoyable! You both are lucky to have visited these places. I really love that church window! I imagine it would be distracting to children sitting in the pews.
Beautiful place you visited and gorgeous pictures. Love the peacock.
I did not know that Lewis and Tolkein were good friends but it certainly makes sense! The Inn and the Church are so beautiful and charming, and how wonderful that the characters of his works are part of the church. Thank you so much for this tour.
Didn't know that Tolkien & Lewis were friends – no wonder their stories are so rich & full of life principles.
Thanks for sharing this.
I love both authors and read their works over and over….Thank you for the delightful tour. You've so made me think of Priscilla the Peahen~I know she is happy with her Captain Peacock! gail
Like other people said, I didn't know Lewis and Tolkien were friends 🙂
I'm a huge Lord of the Rings geek and everything lol.
A moving post, Noelle. I knew the two men were friends (an extraordinary meeting of the minds; don't you think?), but I can't imagine sitting down in the pub where they chatted over their ideas. It must have been amazing! Somehow sitting in those places where the greats have been gives me the shivers. I had the same feeling sitting in the cafes where Hemingway and others wrote in Paris.
Oh, and you left out Jill Pole, riding on the back of the owl (Glimfeather? Was that his name?) in The Silver Chair. Ah, yes, I'm a Narnia addict of old, to remember that. 😉