Oldest Pubs in Oxford

12 Oldest Pubs in Oxford

Oxford has a rich heritage, and its pubs are no exception. These establishments have been around for centuries and have played host to famous authors, scholars, and even royalty. In this article, we will take you on a journey through time as we explore the oldest pubs in Oxford.

We will discover the stories behind these iconic establishments, including their historical significance and the unique features that make them stand out. Whether you’re a student, a local, or a visitor, these pubs are a must-visit for anyone interested in Oxford’s rich cultural heritage.

So, grab a pint, sit back, and join us on this exciting journey through Oxford’s oldest pubs.

12. The Old Bookbinders Ale House

Year Established: 1869
Location: 17-18 Victor St, Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: Michel Sadones
Still in Business: Yes

photo source: Crafty Belle Group

The Old Bookbinders Ale House is in the heart of Jericho, once a bustling industrial area of Oxford. In the 19th century, Jericho was home to many workers employed in the local factories, and the pub served as a popular meeting place for these workers.

The pub has also been featured in guidebooks and travel publications, praising its unique atmosphere and history. The Old Bookbinders Ale House is a cherished landmark of Oxford’s cultural and social history. It plays an important role in the community as a gathering place for people of all backgrounds.

Did You Know?

Today, Old Bookbinders Ale House attracts a diverse crowd, including students, locals, and tourists, and has a reputation for serving quality ale and traditional pub food.


11. The Fir Tree

Year Established: 1866
Location: 163 Iffley Road, Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: Joe Hill
Still in Business: Yes

The Fir Treephoto source: TripAdvisor

The Fir Tree is a historic pub at 163 Iffley Road in Oxford, United Kingdom. Established in 1866, the pub has been a prominent landmark in the area for over 150 years.

Over the years, The Fir Tree has undergone several renovations and ownership changes. Despite these changes, the pub has managed to maintain its historic character and charm, making it a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike.

The pub has a reputation for serving quality ale and traditional pub food. Its menu features classic dishes such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd’s pie. The bar also serves a variety of local and regional ales, including brews from nearby breweries such as Hook Norton and Brakspear.

Did You Know?

One of the Fir Tree’s notable features is its interior decor, including vintage photographs and memorabilia from its long history.


10. The White Horse

Year Established: 1841
Location: 52 Broad Street, Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: Jonathan Bowers
Still in Business: Yes

The White Horsephoto source: What Pub

The White Horse pub has been a staple of the Oxford community for centuries, with a rich and fascinating history. The original building was constructed before 1841 and has undergone renovations and ownership changes.

The pub’s location is significant, as it stands just east of Boundary Brook, which used to separate Oxford and Headington until 1929. This made it a popular spot for travelers and locals alike, as it was a convenient stopover point between the two towns.

Over the years, the White Horse has had many different names, including the Mermaid, the White Mermaid, and the Jolly Volunteer. However, it wasn’t until the late 1830s that it was officially listed in directories as the White Horse.

Despite changing hands many times over the years, the pub has always remained a popular gathering spot for people in the community. It was owned by the city from 1629 to 1773 and then by Exeter College until 1980, when it was taken over by the brewery that now owns it.

Did You Know?

The White Horse has changed hands several times over the years. It belonged to the city from 1629 to 1773 and was owned by Exeter College until 1980.


9. The Jericho Tavern

Year Established: 1818
Location: 56 Walton Street, Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: Mitchells & Butlers
Still in Business: Yes

The Jericho Tavernphoto source: Daily Info

The Jericho Tavern is one of the most iconic pubs in Oxford, with a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. Located in the heart of Jericho, a trendy and vibrant neighborhood just north of the city center, the pub has been a popular gathering spot for students, locals, and tourists for generations.

One of the most significant events in the history of The Jericho Tavern came in the 1980s when it became a regular venue for live music. Bands like Radiohead, Supergrass, and Ride played at the pub during this time, helping establish it as one of the best places in Oxford to see live music.

Did You Know?

The Jericho Tavern was featured in the Inspector Morse television series set in Oxford.


8. The Mitre

Year Established: 1630
Location: 18 High Street. Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: Lincoln College
Still in Business: Yes

photo source: Oxford History

The building that houses The Mitre dates back to the 1600s and was originally used as a private residence. The property was eventually converted into a pub in the early 1800s and has served customers ever since.

The pub’s interior has been renovated over the years, but many of its original features have been preserved, including a beautiful wood-paneled bar and several historic fireplaces.

The establishment has continuously been an inn in Oxford. The vaulted cellars date back to the medieval era, and the building comprises sections from every century since then. The primary lodgings on the High Street were reconstructed in 1631. The building underwent a comprehensive renovation that lasted three years and ended in February 2021.

Did You Know?

Presently, the ground floor functions as a pub, whereas Lincoln College students inhabit the rooms on top throughout the term and by visitors during the holiday periods


7. The Eagle and Child

Year Established: 1620
Location: St Giles’ Street, Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: St John’s College
Still in Business: No

The Eagle and Childphoto source: BBC

The pub was built in the 17th century and has been a fixture of the Oxford community for over 300 years. It was originally known as the Bird and Baby and was a popular meeting spot for local tradesmen and laborers. Over the years, the pub changed hands several times but remained a popular spot for locals to gather and socialize.

The pub’s name was first documented in 1684, and there are different theories about its origin. One theory suggests that it comes from the legend of Ganymede being taken away by Zeus’ eagle.

In contrast, another theory claims that it comes from the crest of the Earl of Derby, which features a story of a noble baby discovered in an eagle’s nest. This child, named Oskatel, was found by Sir Thomas Lathom, who became the father-in-law of Sir John Stanley.

Did You Know?

The pub has a long and fascinating history and is particularly famous for its association with the Inklings, a literary group that included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.


6. The Lamb and Flag

Year Established: 1613
Location: 12 St Giles’, Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: St John’s College
Still in Business: Yes

photo source: St. John’s College, Oxford

During the 19th century, the pub’s reputation improved, and it became a more respectable establishment. At this time, the pub’s name was changed to the “Lamb and Flag,” a reference to the emblem of St. John the Baptist, who is often depicted holding a lamb and a flag.

In 1997, St. John’s College took over the pub’s management, which had been relocated to a site farther away from the college’s main buildings. However, due to the subsequent construction of new buildings, including Sir Thomas White and Kendrew Quadrangles, the pub is now again located near St. John’s activities.

Did You Know?

The pub has been featured in several literary works over the years, including the novel “Jude the Obscure” by Thomas Hardy, who was known to frequent the pub during his visits to Oxford.


5. The King’s Arms

Year Established: 1607
Location: 40 Holywell Street, Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: Wadham College, Oxford, Young’s Brewery
Still in Business: Yes

photo source: Wikipedia

The King’s Arms has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the 17th century. Over the years, it has been a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors to Oxford, including many scholars and students from nearby universities.

Until the 1960s, the King’s Arms in Oxford was a popular hotel among commercial travelers. It was said that some professors held tutorials in the pub’s back bar until the 1970s. Additionally, until 1973, the back bar, referred to as “The Don’s Bar,” was exclusively for men.

It was the last such bar in Oxford to have this policy. In 1973, a fire broke out in the Don’s Bar due to an electrical fault, not as some rumors suggest, radical feminists. Finally, the current office room of the pub was originally used as the landlord’s office until it was converted into additional bar space in 1992.

Did You Know?

The author J.R.R. Tolkien was a regular patron of the pub during his time at Oxford, and it is rumored that he based the character of Treebeard from his “Lord of the Rings” trilogy on a talking tree in the pub’s beer garden.


4. The Turf Tavern

Year Established: 1381
Location: 4 Bath Pl, Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: Greene King
Still in Business: Yes

The Turf Tavernphoto source: What Pub

The Turf Tavern is a historic pub in the heart of Oxford, England. The pub is tucked away down a small alleyway, just off Holywell Street, and has been a favorite watering hole for students, locals, and visitors to the city for many years.

The Turf Tavern’s history can be traced back to the 14th century when it was originally known as the Spotted Cow Inn. Over the years, the pub changed hands several times and underwent various renovations and refurbishments. In the early 17th century, the pub was renamed the Turf Tavern, a name believed to have been inspired by the turf fires that were once used to heat the building.

Throughout the centuries, the Turf Tavern has hosted many famous figures, including former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a student at Oxford in the 1940s. Legend has it that former US President Bill Clinton also visited the pub as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford.

Did You Know?

The pub served as a meeting place for Oxford University students and scholars, who would gather there to discuss their studies and exchange ideas.


3. The Crown

Year Established: 1364
Location: 59A Cornmarket St, Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: Nicholson’s
Still in Business: Yes

The Crownphoto source: Oxford History

The Crown pub in Oxford is a historic establishment serving locals and visitors for centuries. The Crown has undergone many changes but has always remained a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

Today, the pub is owned and operated by Nicholson’s Pubs. It continues to offer a wide range of classic British pub grub and delicious beverages, including cask ales and malt whiskies.

The menu at The Crown is varied, with something to suit every palate. The pub also offers seasonal specials, which focus on providing traditional favorites with the best flavors and textures of the season.

Did You Know?

One of the most famous patrons of The Crown was the playwright William Shakespeare, who frequently visited Oxford during his travels between Stratford and London.


2. The Chequers

Year Established: 1279
Location: 131 High Street, Oxford, United Kingdom
Current Owner: Jonathan & Joanne Tindall
Still in Business: Yes

The Chequersphoto source: TripAdvisor

Originally a coaching inn, The Chequers was a popular stop for travelers to and from London. In the 17th century, The Chequers became a popular meeting place for Oxford University academics. Many famous scholars, including CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, would meet here to discuss their work.

During World War II, The Chequers were a popular spot for American soldiers stationed in Oxford. The pub’s proximity to Oxford University meant that many soldiers came to the pub to meet local students and academics. Today, the pub’s historic interior is well-preserved, and visitors can still see many of the original features, including the wooden beams and cozy fireplaces.

Did You Know?

The Chequers have played an important role in Oxford’s political history. In the 17th century, the pub was a popular haunt of Whig politicians, and it is said that King Charles II’s mistress Nell Gwynne stayed there during the Civil War.


1. The Bear Inn

Year Established: 1242
Location: 6 Alfred Street, Oxford‎, United Kingdom
Current Owner: Mel and Martin Board
Still in Business: Yes

The Bear Innphoto source: Wikipedia

The Bear Inn is the oldest and most historic pub in Oxford, with a fascinating history that dates back over 800 years. Located in the heart of Oxford’s historic city center, The Bear Inn has served thirsty patrons since the 13th century.

The pub’s history is closely linked to the history of Oxford itself. It is said that the pub was established to serve the stonemasons who were working on the construction of nearby University College.

The Bear Inn’s status as the oldest pub in Oxford has made it a popular destination for history buffs and pub-goers. Its age and unique character have been preserved over the centuries, making it an important cultural and architectural landmark.

Did You Know?

One of the most unique features of The Bear Inn is its historic “snug”, which is located at the back of the pub. The snug is a small, cozy room preserved in its original state for over 400 years.

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