As a child, I was entranced by the Chronicles of Narnia series – the magical world of mythical talking animals in a snowy wonderland. You can re-read these stories over and over at different stages in your life and find different truths to ponder as the characters encounter and evolve their values through their adventures.

On my trip to Oxford, I had the chance to see the inspiration behind these magical books.

C. S. Lewis, or Jack Lewis, as he preferred to be called, was born in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) on November 29, 1898. Lewis’s early childhood was relatively happy and carefree until his mother died when he was 10. Lewis and his older brother were sent away to boarding school in England. While he hated the strictness of the school, Lewis was introduced to Virgil, Homer and other classics. In 1916, Lewis became a student at University College at Oxford University but with the outbreak of World War I, he volunteered for service and fought for the British Army in northern France.

Following the end of the war in 1918, Lewis returned to Oxford, where he took up his studies again graduating with first-class honors in Greek and Latin Literature, Philosophy and Ancient History, and English Literature. Lewis was elected to an important teaching post in English at Magdalen College, Oxford where he remained for 29 years.

At the age of 40, World War II started and Lewis tried to re-enter service but was not accepted. Instead he offered his home to the children evacuated from the Blitz bombings in London. The children escaping both to the countryside and from war would become part of the story for the children of Narnia.

Post WWII, between 1949 and 1954, Lewis wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven fantasy novels for children, that is considered a classic of children’s literature. In addition to Christian themes, Lewis also borrows characters from Greek and Roman mythology as well as traditional British and Irish fairy tales. The series is Lewis’s most popular work, having sold over 100 million copies in 41 languages. It has been adapted several times, complete or in part, for radio, television, stage and cinema.

Here are the 5 sites to see whilst in Oxford to be a part of Lewis’s Narnia.