The Kilns / C. S. Lewis House

The Kilns is a private residence and is only accessible to the public via pre-booked guided tours. These tours usually take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at set times. As of 2026, adult tickets are approximately 20 GBP, with discounts for students and seniors at 15 GBP. Because the house serves as a home for resident scholars, you must request a tour at least two weeks in advance by emailing the Kilns tour coordinator. Tours are small and intimate, often limited to just a few people, so early planning is essential. Payment is typically accepted in cash on the day of the tour, and filming inside the house is strictly prohibited to maintain the quiet atmosphere for the scholars in residence.

Since The Kilns is located in a quiet residential neighborhood, visitors are asked to arrive no more than five minutes before their scheduled tour time to avoid disturbing the neighbors. There is no on-site café or public restroom, so it is best to use facilities in Headington or central Oxford before you arrive. The house has several sets of stairs and may not be fully accessible for those with limited mobility; it is recommended to discuss any requirements with the coordinator when booking. While photography is allowed in the gardens, it is generally restricted inside the house. Many visitors find that the tour is best enjoyed by those with a genuine interest in Lewis’s life and works, as it focuses on scholarly and biographical history.

The Kilns is located in Risinghurst, about three miles east of Oxford city center. The easiest way to get there by public transport is to take the number 8 or 400 bus from the city center or the High Street toward Headington. You should get off at the Thornhill Park and Ride or the A40 Risinghurst Turn. From the bus stop, it is about a 10-to-15-minute walk through suburban streets to reach the house on Lewis Close. If you are driving, please note that there is no parking available at the house itself; you should park at the nearby Thornhill Park and Ride and complete the final leg of the journey on foot or by local bus. A taxi from central Oxford takes roughly 15 minutes and is a convenient door-to-door option.