I can't help but give most pubs five stars just because they are steeped in history. Same in this situation. Although the Lamb and Flag is a great pub on its own (4-star worthy), I feel obliged to tag on an extra star just because I am in awe of it. They have their beers on rotation, I was told they offer Oxford Gold, but never made it on the right night to find it. They get pretty crowded just like most (if not all) pubs in the area. I wish they'd stay open later. Would like to know if they have trivia night, or if I've been misinformed by a friend? read more

We had originally planned on visiting the Eagle & Child, which is famous for being the regular haunt for C.S. Lewis and Tolkien, but alas it was closed for renovations. Instead, we headed to the second best thing, The Lamb & Flag, where Tolkien and Lewis had also grabbed a drink or two in the past. Good pints, friendly service, and second best famous literature icons haunt in Oxford. read more

Sadly, the Eagle & Child was closed at the time I visited Oxford (and since it was over two years since I visited I checked and sadly it is still closed). So, anybody who basically wants to have a drink at a pub that was frequented by Tolkien (and Lewis) you do have this pub, and it is across the road. Sure, there are photos of the authors who gathered here for a few drinks, and discussions about books, but sadly it doesn't hold the iconic status that the one across the road down. read more

See all

My wife and I came here because we are fans of the great writes C.S. Lewis and JRR Tolkien. The pub has a lovely atmosphere, but we were disappointed that there was nothing that mentioned either writer that was clearly visible. Doesn't have to be a big deal - but something would have been nice. We asked the guy at the bar about CS Lewis and Tolkien and he said - off the cuff like - ya, they apparently used to come here. The beer was fine. The sausage rolls and particularly the quiche my wife ordered were cold. Not sure that is usual, but we were not impressed. read more

Lamb & Flag - Inside the pub - Pubs Near Me - Oxford, OXF

My kind of pub. It has an interesting interior and is a great place for conversation.

This is directly across the wide St Giles high street from the more famous Eagle and Child pub. You may find yourself driven out of the Eagle and Child by the crowds that go there to drink where the Inklings drank, but what you get to know that most of the crowds don't is that at one point the Inklings themselves abandoned the Eagle and Child (they didn't like the remodeling) for the Lamb and Flag. So go here where the Inklings went. You'll find an old and colorful pub with enough room to absorb fair crowds, and a decent bar menu of food. In addition to several kinds of meat pies, they also have suet puddings, which at least is a little bit different. And yes, one of those is lamb (no flag, though). And, of course, good cider. read more

The second C S Lewis pub, that let me Down .... They service not food after 6 O'clock what's the deal, I keep having a hard time getting good Pub food in Oxford. I hope you find better places. read more

Lamb & Flag - The out side of the Pub - Pubs Near Me - Oxford, OXF

Situated just outside the centre of Oxford, this historic and friendly former coaching inn serves a good range of real ales and also does food. The pub itself dates back to 1695 and, although the building reflects substantial remodelling in the 18th and 19th centuries, it is still a Grade II Listed Building. Inside, the front bar has been modernised and is a bit characterless, but the rear bars have lower ceilings and are more what you'd expect of an historic pub. On my visit, the real ales included Skinner's Betty Stogs, Palmer's IPA, Lamb & Flag Gold, Shepherd Neame's Spitfire and Theakston's Old Peculier. They also do traditional pub grub, but I haven't sampled it. Staff were very friendly and pulled a very good pint on my visit, so I'd happily return. Historic note: Thomas Hardy apparently wrote a chunk of his novel Jude the Obscure here, and the pub is even said to be the model for the obscure tavern referred to in the novel. I've no idea if it's true read more

See all

Great atmosphere and a welcome respite after a busy day in Oxford. This pub has it all..ambiance, history, and comfort. I loved their beer selection and hung out at the bar taking it all in. read more

Nice alternative to the competition across the road!! Excellent choice of ales/beers which won't break the bank. Some of them can be a bit heavy ie Old Peculiar. Food is nothing special but could not be classed as 'orrible!! Can become quite busy with underpaid part-time working students, who are finding it a struggle, BUT, they are great fun and very courteous, we found. My wife loves them. You could miss this pub, so keep your eyes peeled read more

The Lamb and Flag rates as one of the best pubs in Oxford. They don't do food, you can forget getting any change for parking, they will never get a fruit machine, pump the most real ale in Oxfordshire and they don't take cards. But they do focus on the important: top quality real ale (these guys really care about their beer), always plenty of staff on the bar, plenty of little cubby holes for a chat and they fund two PhDs a year. So you're drinking in a not-for-profit pub, which means they're not watching their wastage on real ale, and their focus is on happy customers, not profit. Plus, while sitting there you can enjoy the fact that Tolkein and C.S.Lewis and their buddies met there every week to discuss their writing. Complementing the Lamb and Flag, and now also owned by St John's is the Eagle and Child opposite. read more

The Lamb and Flag is old fasioned traditional pub with lovely cozy rooms candles and horseshoes on the wall. you get alot of Oxford professors and students coming here. the staff especially Lynn the manager, are lovely, chatty and welcoming its such a warm pub with a great vibe hidden to most on the northside of oxford before heading into summer town. read more

The Lamb and Flag is superb. If the rest of the pubs in the country had any sense they'd take it as a template. It serves real ale well, pure and simple. It doesn't go with gimmicks, it keeps enough staff on hand to avoid scrums at the bar, and they haven't tried re-designing the idiosyncratic space that gives the place its charm. Downsides, such as they are, are minimal. A later licence would be a god-send, and prices have crept up. Apart from the Eagle & Child, directly opposite on the other side of St Giles, this is one of the few pubs in the area - just far enough off the main Oxford drag to avoid hordes of tourists. Its proximity to St Johns and Lincoln College accommodation means there's normally a fair smattering of students, but with a decent mix of University staff and others such that no group really dominates, as is often the problem in Oxford's town-gown pub divide. read more

Visited here for a drink on a Saturday afternoon over a bank holiday weekend en-route from the Pitt Rivers museum to the Ashmolean; it was fairly busy but we were served pretty quickly amd managed to get somewhere to sit. Drinks were reasonably priced, and even though we didn't eat the food looked pretty good. read more

This and the Eagle and Child are my favorite pubs in Oxford (with the Eagle and Child edging it out just a bit). The food is good and the ambiance is spectacular. Nice and central and a definite must if you're in Oxford for a short stay. read more

Very nice pub. Historically old, yet big, bright, not too loud to have a conversation and a great selection of beers and ciders. Cash only and no wifi, so prepare to go old style! read more

Lovely old pub , goodish range of old ales , plenty of dark wood and stone flagstones . Looks a lot more modern from front than it actually is . Service was good even though bar was reasonably busy . Would certainly visit again though its a wee bit of a walk from city centre . read more

This is really what all pubs should be like. Except that if they were, loads of annoying people would drink here. Fortunately, they can stick to all-bar-one and we can stick to The Lamb and Flag! I don't really need to repeat what others have said - it's a solid setup, bags of history, lashings of ale. Lovely. read more

The Lamb and Flag is conveniently located on St Giles street to be away from the masses and yet to still feel very 'Oxford'. It's usually pretty full and has lots of interconnected rooms, so you can have privacy without feeling cut-off from everyone else. The drinks are reasonably priced, although not the cheapest, and the bar staff very friendly. I love their crinkle-cut crisps, but that's the extent of their food, so don't come here expecting dinner. The decor is quite traditional and there is a cash-machine which is incredibly useful. A good place to hold informal meetings or to meet friends before heading off to livelier places, although it's a good evening in its own right. read more

Good food, nice atmosphere. Not a chain pub, which means they can choose their own beers - they have a great selection. They also have a small, but good food menu. The jacket potatoes are cheap and good. The pub is spacious and has a classic, British atmosphere. Definitely worth visiting. Great history, as well - Tolkien and the Inklings met here sometimes, and compared to any other pub in the city, you get a stronger sense of the "old" Oxford here. A nice place to have a pint, no matter what time of day. read more

Visited this pub just after my grandad passed away and I will always have fond memories of my family remembering the best of him. Very cosy and welcoming pub with a friendly atmosphere. read more

A cracking pub - one of the best in oxford which really is saying something! Great hand drawn ale, which you have to pay cash for (no cards - genius!) however rammed it gets you never have a ridiculous wait. Also a big draw for me, they sell proper pork scratchings - not the Mr Porky rubbish ones - the only way this pub could be any better was if they could actually make pork scratchings good for you. read more

I feel that this is an underrated Oxford pub. Its decor may not be stunning, but it is homely and welcoming. The range of drinks isn't bad either, including 'proper' Thatchers Cider. Not the liveliest place in town.. but a good place to meet a friend for an afternoon drink or to spend a quieter evening out. read more

Nice old pub, but seeing as St John's college owns it you'd expect a student discount. read more

Lamb & Flag - Pubs Near Me - Oxford, OXF

See all

This is a great pub and a definite if you're a tourist in town exploring the university. This little pub has wood panelled walls with little painted crests all around, one for each college in the university. There's lots of great beer in here, including a great bitter which can be hard to come by in other pubs. This is out on St Giles just beyond St John's college, so is far away enough from the centre of town to enjoy a quiet little drink. read more

Lovely Oxford pub. It is owned by St John's college so there is a nice amount of college memorabilia, without it feeling too touristy. The front room is light with a high ceiling, and the back rooms have lower ceilings and beams. There is a good selection of ales and the wine isn't bad either, and most importantly the prices are pretty reasonable. The service is always good, and it is usually not too crowded, but still enough people to have a good atmosphere. The Lamb & Flag is a great place for a catch-up and a good chat over a few pints. A bonus for Oxford University students is that there is free Wifi coverage! read more

Serves great real ales in a lovely traditional setting. Also has a huge range of Belgian beers !!!

lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and always an interesting conversation or two to eavesdrop on. one of my favs

Haven't been here in years but it sounds like it hasn't changed at all. Traditional Oxford boozer with no pretensions.

Great pub with consistently good beer. No annoying music so excellent for having a chat with friends.