Man found dead in CS Lewis Nature Reserve; police investigate in Oxfordshire

A 28-year-old man was found dead Friday afternoon in the CS Lewis Nature Reserve in Oxfordshire, authorities said. Emergency services were called to the reserve around 1:30 p.m. and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Thames Valley Police said the death is unexplained but not believed to be suspicious. The man's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A police cordon was established at the reserve as investigators began examining the area for any clues.

The CS Lewis Nature Reserve, in Oxfordshire, is widely associated with CS Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, and is believed to have inspired the world imagined in the series. The site includes a flooded clay pit with aquatic plants, toads and dragonflies alongside a steeply sloping wood. The reserve was formerly owned by Lewis and has long been linked to his literary legacy.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said the death was "unexplained but non-suspicious" and that a file is being prepared for the coroner. Investigators will review available evidence and may speak with witnesses as part of routine procedures. At this stage, there have been no reports of arrests or additional victims, and there is no known immediate danger to the public.

Authorities said the investigation will determine whether the circumstances surrounding the man’s death require any further inquiries, including a post-mortem. The coroner’s case file is typically opened when a death is reported to be unexplained, and it does not imply guilt or foul play.

The reserve remains a site of historical and literary interest for the region, drawing visitors who seek to connect with the space said to have influenced Lewis's imagined world. Police have not indicated when the area will be fully reopened to the public, pending the completion of their investigation.