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The Kilns

"Jack and I went out and saw the place on Sunday morning, and I instantly caught the infection: we did not go inside the house, but the eight acre garden is such stuff as dreams are made of. " Major Warren Lewis, from Brothers and Friends

A Comfortable Environment

Built in 1922 and purchased by C.S. Lewis, Major Warren Lewis and Mrs. Janie King Moore in 1930, The Kilns is a modest twelve-room brick cottage. Now lovelingly restored by the Foundation and many volunteers to reflect the home Lewis knew in the early 40's, the home also boasts many of the conveniences of modern living. Guests will take pleasure in discovering The Kilns many rooms, including six bedrooms scattered throughout the house. All are furnished with comfortable beds, fine linens, wardrobes, oriental rugs, wing back chairs, bedside lamps, fresh flowers and a drop leaf desk where one might choose to pen a postcard from The Kilns. Varying in size and located throughout the home on two floors, each room is equipped in traditional English fashion, with sink, mirror and shared access to the home's bathroom, shower and three water closets.

Guests may partake of breakfast, afternoon tea, and/or pre-dinner aperitifs in the Dining Room of The Kilns. Carefully prepared meals will be served in this homey, light-filled room, with its lovely view of the gardens ablaze in color just outside its mullioned windows. There, inviting lawn chairs in the summer sun or cool evening breeze will add to the day's contentment. Just across the entry hall from the dining room one finds the Common Room. Although no longer smoke-filled, it offers comfortable couches, easy chairs, book-lined walls, and a large walnut desk. Here, one can easily imagine the days when Lewis entertained friends, wrote a letter to a child, or entered into hearty debate with the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien, Warnie, Joy and other Inklings and friends.

At the other end of the house, one finds the spacious, paneled Library, which provides the setting for many of the lectures and discussions. The Library, with its full complement of Telephone, Fax and Computer services, including internet access, all readily available for the use of guests

The Pleasure of Dining

Whether one is enjoying a cup of morning coffee accompanied by a hearty English breakfast, afternoon tea served beneath blossoming fruit trees, or watching the sun set while dining at a medieval inn, seminar participants will be treated to eclectic dining experiences featuring imaginative and tasty reinterpretations of authentic British dishes.

Dining Highlights:

The Randolph Hotel, Oxford
“The Bird and Baby” (Eagle and Child)
The Trout, 15th Century streamside Inn
The Orchard Tea Garden, Grantchester, Cambridgeshire
Magdalene College, Cambridge