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    The Eagle and Child

    3.8 (143 reviews)
    ModeratePubs
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    The Eagle and Child Photos

    THE EAGLE AND CHILD ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - The Eagle and Child

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    Reviews With Photos

    Michelle R.

    Nice pub! After our walking tour, our guide gave us 45 minutes to wander on our own. Stephen and I didn't want to shop and was told to check out a pub called The Eagle and Child, which was built in 1640, and lays claim to a number of interesting literary connections. J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and fellow writers met here and dubbed themselves 'The Inklings', which they nicknamed the pub 'The Bird and Baby'. We found a cozy nook in the front of the pub, ordered the Dark Vader for Stephen and an Orange Juice with lemonade for me. It was a great little place to just chill out for a bit, before boarding our tour bus to Windsor.

    Exterior
    Morgan And Kyrsten J.

    Really cool place for the historical significance. It's was the watering hole for Tolkien and C S Lewis, along with other writers. They have art and quotes scattered around the cozy bar to remind you of the significance. There was quite a line for drinks when we got there, but that could have been bad timing as it died down after we got our drinks. Only missing star is due to the bartender seeming to not really know anything about their drink options (like the type of gin they carried). They also didn't have in stock some of the post cards we wanted, but it is a popular attraction. Good place to stop by for a drink.

    Tolkien's grave
    Frank C.

    Closed. No indication of when it will open again. License under review. Sad. Such a piece of history. Sold off I guess. Nothing online about it. So, unless you want a photo of outside, don't go

    The cheesiest Mac n Cheese
    Timothy I.

    Ok so the one downside is its crowded and touristy - but that goes for literally everything in Oxford city center. This place has actually very cheap drinks (£3 for a pint of local ale!) and average tourist prices for food. It's really not that pricey. Given its location and history, and also its chilled out atmosphere and cheap broad selection, I really enjoyed it.

    Jeremy R.

    Really nice place with a lot of character. This pub is famous because JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis used to go here. Be aware that it's very crowded and touristy -- but don't let that turn you away. The food is great and the prices are fair. The burger I ordered was absolutely massive. Great spot to go with friends.

    Molly R.

    We stopped in here for a pint after walking around Oxford. We got two half pints of cider and sat in the back for a while. There were many locals enjoying an afternoon pint this day. We talked to two gentlemen that were about to be on holiday. This venue has a lot of charm and inspired a few authors in its many years of existence!

    David S.

    Sure, I many not have been to Oxford since 2011, but I so going to have a write a review of this one pub where Tolkien and C.S. Lewis would regularly meet with other friends and discuss literature over a glass of English Ale. In fact they even have photos in the room where they used to sit, though the pub has been expanded since that time and now goes much further back. It's a quaint pub, not one of the best, but certainly has it's charm, especially due to its lterary merits. Definitely a place to visit, especially if you, like me, are a fan of Tolkien and Lewis.

    Jessica G.

    Came recommended by my best friend and was told that the food is good, the pub has an interesting history. Apparently, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis once hung here and mulled over their writings! We ordered Shepherds Pie which was very very good! Easily the best Shepherds pie I have eaten. I mean that! The other mains that my friends had were also very well received by them. A very happy lunch indeed!!

    Sarah S.

    Popped in with two friends en route to the Cotswolds. The history of this place is pretty cool - from Tolkien and C.S. Lewis to Doctor Who actors. Get there early - they open at 11:30 generally - and grab one of the snugs in the front. Order at the bar and don't forget your table number. Give them your card if you want to start a tab. I suggest just having a beer or drink here and then moving on. We had Sunday roast and the chicken was dry on both roasts. Eat elsewhere. It's owned by a chain, after all. Service is aloof but ok once you break past the "we're not just typical tourists barrier." I did hear a staff member say "that one is for the Americans up front," which is always embarrassing as a traveler (even if you are an American, ha!).

    R B.

    This is where I fell in love with shepherd's pie! Seriously, all the food we had was delicious and unique. It was the highlight of my Oxford visit. I must say I loved eating where so many of my favorite authors had passed through these very same doors. There is a wide range of seating choices, from cozy and private to open and social. The owners did a good job balancing the history and tradition with newer additions, like the skylit area in the back.

    Katie N.

    Cute pub to have a pint at while seeing where CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien used to frequent

    Jen S.

    We came here for the novelty of being the meeting grounds for C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. They offer various beers on tap as well as bottled beers. The board also advertises their featured beer. The pork scratchlings that I got tasted like they had been on a shelf for a very loooong time. As for the service, it was pretty lackluster. Seating is pretty limited with a few tables in the front and back.

    Steak pie done Properly!
    James A.

    As a Tolkien fan, this was a must stop. The place is a classic English pub and quite homey. The food was great and I had the best steak pie I have had yet in England. Not to mention that it was a beautiful day in Oxford. Cheer!

    Puff pastry with a side of mash, veggies and gravy.

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    This place was awesome but I hear it is closed since the pandemic. Food was awesome and atmosphere and service were exceptional

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    6 years ago

    I went for the Inkling ambiance and stayed for the fish and chips. They were out of almost every pie in early evening.

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    Page 1 of 4

    The Eagle and Child Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - The Eagle and Child

    What can you say about being where Tolkien and Lewis discussed life, philosophy and oh yeah, their books!

    Mentioned in 35 reviews

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    Three Goats Heads - 7/1/23 Indoor seating, bar in background

    Three Goats Heads

    4.1(15 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    £

    To my Yelp friend Dean C - While on my quest to help find the best UK breweries, I discovered this…read moreplace. Sorry, but it is again kinda far away from the downtown/touristy London area. Oxford, UK is a college (and tourist) town. Quality/Quantity - Beer was good, and more importantly one of the few breweries within walking distance to the many college campuses here. See pictures of the menu for both the brewery and guest beers. Kitchen was closed when I got here, but that was ok as I just wanted/needed a beer. Atmosphere - Events - See pictures. Small pub, brewery. Two floors. I think the upstairs is bigger? I never went up, sorry. Indoor/outdoor seating. I started indoors so I could be near the bar, LOL. Then I decided to have my next beer outside and people watched. Another beautiful day (see picture)! I preferred the outside seating over inside. Service - Good. Not sure if it is just me, but I noticed a lot of men sitting at the bar waiting for their wives to come back from shopping. And I was one of them, LOL. Price - I can't remember? But I think less than 5 pounds a beer/pint? It just does not matter sometimes. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success. Cool spot, I am surprised that there are not more breweries in a college town. I am sure there are many pubs, but you guys need more breweries!

    A wonderful pub with a great bartender. It was a pleasant place to have a pint on an afternoon.read more

    Photos
    Three Goats Heads - 7/1/23 Outdoor seating

    7/1/23 Outdoor seating

    Three Goats Heads - 7/1/23 Bar

    7/1/23 Bar

    Three Goats Heads - 7/1/23 Interior

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    7/1/23 Interior

    The Kings Arms - King's Arms Burger

    The Kings Arms

    3.7(75 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    ££

    One of the most iconic pubs in Oxford!…read more The food is okay, the drinks are reasonably priced, but the location is elite. It has that classic Oxford pub atmosphere that makes it worth visiting, especially if you're showing someone around the city or looking for a casual drink in a historic setting. There are outdoor tables, seating inside, and a smaller section in the back. During peak hours, it can get quite packed, so it is not always the easiest place to grab a table, but that also adds to the energy of the place. Overall, I would not necessarily come here expecting the best pub food in Oxford, but for the atmosphere, location, and quintessential Oxford experience, it is absolutely worth a stop.

    It's no surprise this pub is popular considering its location, but the quality of the food, drinks,…read moreand the people-watching make it great in its own right, not just because it's smack dab in the middle of Oxford. We found ourselves coming here again and again, as it was always nearby after a tour, or perfect for killing time before the next event. (in town for a family member's graduation) There's a few outdoor tables, and many little rooms inside with all types of seating options. We were a larger group with children in tow, and kept lucking out with the long table in the first room on the left. It does get rather busy at peak hours, but if you're patient or come at off peak hours, you'll snag a seat just fine. The fish & chips were a standout from all other fish & chips I had that trip. This is an American tourist review, so take that with a grain of salt, but we liked the food and the service was always friendly and quick.

    Photos
    The Kings Arms - Seating area inside

    Seating area inside

    The Kings Arms - Fish & Chips

    Fish & Chips

    The Kings Arms - View from an outside table.

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    View from an outside table.

    Gardeners Arms

    Gardeners Arms

    4.3(32 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    ££

    The Gardener's Arms" which was established in 2013. The meal we had was very good. The garlic…read moreflatbread [£2.90]- was nice- very garlicky. The Indian Thali platter- curry, tasty aloo sag (potato and a green), salad, mango chutney, basmati rice, pappadam [£10.95]. The medley mushroom pie- delicious puff pastry filled mixed mushrooms in a red wine and safe gravy served with Italian style roasted potatoes and mixed seasonal vegetables [£10.95]. Take a table each of which has one menu. When you decide what you want, go to the bar and order, pay and get your drinks. They will bring your food to you when ready. Credit cards are accepted.

    Offering your standard pub fare, vegetarian style, it served one of the best veggie burgers that…read moreI've ever had and I've had many from Boca to Morning Star. The veggie burger appeared and tasted like real beef. It's offered as a single or double where you can choose from different condiments such as garlic mayo, mango chutney, burger relish, curried mayo, chili sauce, or your standard mustard. It comes with a generous serving of chips (fries). For a veggie burger, it is surprisingly filling. This place made such an impression on Ryan S. and I that we came back a second time. I couldn't do another veggie burger but ordered the Greek Salad. Prices are a little higher than other places but they serve pretty big portions. Beers are solid. Have a seat out in the backyard if the weather is warm.

    Photos
    Gardeners Arms
    Gardeners Arms
    Gardeners Arms

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    The Eagle and Child - pubs - Updated May 2026

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