The Eagle and Child in Oxford - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

It's a perfect spot for a mug of ale an a pie. Shame that it since 2020 has been closed.

Hard to rate a place that's still closed as of May 4th 2024. Went to the Lamb & Flag across the street & sat & chatted with an older Oxford alum whilst looking at the Eagle & Child... as good as it gets.

Closed and no sign that they are going to open it...

I don't know where the idea came from that Tolkien wrote "The Lord of the Rings" here - it's nonsense.

An iconic place. Too bad it's closed :(

The place where Tolkien and CS.Lewis and other writers meet and talk about their works. Unfortunally the place is now closed.

It was closed when we went to Oxford but it was fun to see. I was surprised that I was on such a busy road. I imagined it was off on a quiet street somewhere.

There was no business on the day we went, so we could only take pictures outside.

Hopefully will reopen one day. Was closed when we visited, apparently since 2020 judging by the sign on the door and reviews here. A shame if it were to close for good, given the history of the place.

Took my Father in law and son and we really enjoyed the experience

Closed! The pub where Tolkien, Lewis et al had there meetings and discussions, so part of history.

Fell in love with this place. It has so much history and a really great vibe, food was also quite nice. Certainly with a visit.

Very nice place, tasty food and lots of Tolkien stuff which made my inner nerd very happy!

Iconic, old school feeling place.

Best pub in Oxford. Highly recommend

Love this place. Echoes of Tolkien, Lewis, and the Inklings. Great fish and chips.

Evocative Place that offers Good quality food.

An absolute must see, if you are a CS Lewis or JRR Tolkien fan.

Good pub,good beer and food,especially because this pub was where The Inklings made their history

Good place for a drink after class.

It's ok. Nothing special about it, other than the likes of Tolkien and Lewis Carroll used to go there. I was expecting a bit more tbh

Definitely the best dish I had in England... unbelievable. Wonderful experience

Quirky pub, with some historycame here as it was a haunt of C.S. Lewis et al. Who called it the bird and baby.Long pub with little bits leading off main bar. Toilets left a bit to be desired, didn’t eat but couple next to us had good looking platefuls.

The Eagle and Child is a nice little pub. Don't look through the window and think it's too small for your group. The pub has plenty of room in the back and many side tables for a private meet up. They have a well stocked bar of all sorts of libations, and many "craft" beers made locally (or at least regionally). Glab a drink, a scrumptious nibble, and enjoy friendship and conversation. This pub was the regular meeting place for CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. Each week they would meet here to discuss (as peer review) whatever they were writing or thinking at the moment. This is a "must see" for fans of Lord of the Rings and any CS Lewis work.

Amazing history and very authentic feel. Not sure I would suggest dinging here, but its definitely worth having a pint and experiencing the old world chart and history. Would definitely make part of an Oxford pub crawl or a quick break while exploring the city.

Tolkien and CS Lewis met the other Inklings here in the Rabbit Room.

Delicious pie and pints in the former watering hole of Tolkien and Lewis. I defy you to imagine a better pastime.

Visited this pub on Wednesday and was really looking forward to eating at this pub as great fans of the Colin Dexter books in which it is mentioned. The food was ok, nothing special, the staff were disinterested when we tried to order, seemed their mobiles were more interesting. The toilets were disgusting and the whole place is in need of a coat paint. Won’t be returning.

This pub don’t look like much from the outside, even when you go in looks very narrow and tinny, but believe me you be surprised inside. The pub is quite long and the staff very friendly. They have the Nárnia and Tolkien posters on the wall on the back by the conservatory so go and check it out. There is a wall with money from all over the world that become a tradition of the pub. Once you sit down just imagine years ago both Tolkien and CS Lewis used to come here and write their famous books. Great inspiration for sure.

If you look for inspiration to write a sequel to the "Lord of the Rings", that might be your right place. However, I found this slim pub overrun by tourists and didn't get any of the vibes, if they still exist. The beer was OK, didn't have food as I left early. There are better choices out there, when it comes to nice old pubs in Oxford. Rather disappointed...

It’s all about the pub’s legacy! Enjoy it for what it is - an old authentic pub!

Been here a few times before. Pub with loads of history and not to be missed. Food normal pub stuff with pie specials. Service okay.

Good food and a nice little bar. Only spoiler was that my wine glass was not clean so I asked for a new one which was quick to come with an apology

The Eagle and Child pub is famous for literature greats, it has a few plaques inside about these greats but to be honest apart from the good bar staff the place could do with a revamp, tidy up and some paint, quick pint and off.

Decent price, nice premesis, toilets left a little to be desired.

This pub was very crowded but we managed to find a small table in a little inglenook. There were lots of small tables hidden away to make this very cosy. The ambience was great, being in a pub previously inhabited by CS Lewis and Tolkien. The first pint of Nicholson’s beer was cloudy, but was instantly changed with an apology. Nachos for lunch were fine but could have done with being warmed up with more melted cheese. The toilets worked, had soap and hot water, but really could do with a bit of bleach and a lick of paint.

One of the iconic pubs in Oxford

Some dishes good (burger) some just ok like steak and ale pie

Nice meal on a cold rainy afternoon

It was a mountain of fish and chips we ate whilst viewing the statement that warned us about opening the door to Narnia where Aslan was! Also, pictures of the Hobbit and C.S.Lewis smoking a pipe! Wonderful to be in such a place in the city of Oxford a centre of learning and close to my favourite memorial of Ridley and Latimer burnt at the stake who stated from the flames that, "a light will be lit that will never go out" (referring to the Bible which is the Word of God!).

Cask Ales, Friendly staff, affordable. Super cool atmosphere.

Nice old pub with good beer and food. Cash only unfortunately.

Really interesting building, worth visiting for that alone. But when we went they were out of virtually everything on the menu we wanted to order. And the food is just standard Nicholson's fare. I think the worst bit was the toilets, though--looks like they hadn't been cleaned in quite a while.

Nice food fair price. Just a bit chilly

This was our local hangout while living in Oxford. Great environment, within walking distance to other Oxford destinations, and always parking out front.

We were lucky to get a seat in the old part of the pub which is full of atmosphere. Without this, we wouldn't have stayed. The service, food and drink were ok, but the state of the toilets was disgraceful. Although we were in Oxford for 3 nights and were prepared for future visits, we didn't go back.

Food was ok. Great place for a beer and some history.

Nice food. Charming pub with interesting history. VERY dirty washroom.

Hard to find a table for food and drinks but worth the wait. Traditional pies and alcohol served. Also where C.S. Lewis used to drink

This is the place where Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met and had a drink... It is said to have been the Oxford literature department's favorite pub! The apple cider was delicious. I ordered a draft beer, but it tasted so watery that I got angry.

Great pub great atmosphere and character.

Perfect English pub, just what I needed after trail half marathon...good choice of food and drinks, nice atmosphere with lovely signs on the walls

Da appassionato di Tolkien non potevo non venire in questo pub. Buona la selezione di birre ed il barman è stato molto gentile nel consigliarci, due pinte per 8 £. Bere una birra nel luogo in cui il grande scrittore amava trascorrere il tempo libero è stata una bella esperienza. Consigliato per tutti, tappa obbligata per gli amanti di Tolkien!

Diane & I stopped here for a drink but quickly supped up and moved over the road to a rival establishment which we found much better all round. Irrespective of the pub's admittedly good pedigree we found it rather tatty and didn't appreciate very loud (Brazilian?) chatter from the next table

Oozing with history and character. Definatley worth a visit!

Wonderful spot. Rich history and strong beer selection. The little seating nooks up front are great.

Just wondering if this place has doors. There was less breeze from the Irish ferry crossing than in this public house.

The food is amazing, as is the service and atmosphere. The rhubarb cider is good as are the pies and sticky pudding!

Quaint little pub in the middle of Oxford with heaps of history. Nice selection of ales and good hearty food.

My favourite pub in all UK. I love to come here

Good food. Great drinks. Cool atmosphere. One of my favourite pubs around this city

The place is quite original, many famous writers used to hang out there. The beers were good but not so much the food, they run out of everything when we ordered and when we tried to ask for Sunday roast they said it was only for Sunday although we saw other guests were eating it. No pies neither and people who came later had them... worth a drink but not more.

Good food. Good service. Ticked the box with a hangry child in tow.

The beer is good and options for drinks are generally pretty good. The food was better than expected. The chicken pot pie was alright though the crust was thicker than I typically like. But especially the Mac and cheese, it was very nice. The fish and chips were pretty good and chips were well done. My biggest problem here is that it’s grossly under staffed so when it’s busy, it’s a bit of a mess. The history of people that have attended the bar like CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien is pretty cool.

This is a cute hotel but certainly needs some paint touches and repair. It feels like the floor is going to come out from under you. And it loudly creaks when you walk. That being said, it is perfectly positioned in the center of the little town and it still was an enjoyable stay. Thame is such a cute village!

Somos grandes admiradores de Tolkien, así que aparte del cementerio donde está enterrado, este pub fue el número 1 en nuestra lista de visitas obligadas mientras estaba en Oxford. Este es el lugar donde los Inklings se reunieron para hablar y beber y compartir su trabajo entre ellos. El pub es bastante modesto desde el exterior y por dentro es un "pub británico" apropiado, se parece mucho a lo que siempre ha hecho, imagino. Hay algunas placas para conmemorar a los Inklings, así como algunas fotos de Tolkien y los demás. También hay citas de LotR y C. S. Lewis diseminadas sobre el lugar que son divertidas de ver.

Was so cool to visit here! As a Lewis and Tolkien fan I was so excited the whole time

It is a fairly old pub where it is said that Tolkien went to drink it. It usually has quite a few people and it is comfortable. There is a not very wide selection of beers but more than enough and the food is normal: pub food. I have gone a couple of times and I will go again, to see the entrance to Narnia 😉

The food was delicious and sitting where Tolkien sat was amazing!

Good mood food!!!!!! Real place ...,....... Must try

Nice pub, unspoilt, well kept beer & helpful staff

A cool place with a rich history. The big surprise are the prices, which are not particularly high. You can drink beer and eat chips for £5.

Found a great little gem on St Giles, perfect place to get some work done out of the madness of the city.

Excellent food and good service.

The place is cramped, but I wouldn't want it any different. It adds to the unique feel and one can quite picture the old days, when Tolkien and Lewis sat in their corner and discussed the state of the world.

Si desea disfrutar de la naturaleza acogedora y anticuada de este pub, debe estar en la parte delantera, que tiene pocos asientos. Si se encuentra en la extensión alargada en la parte trasera junto a la cocina y los baños, entonces también podría estar bebiendo en algún lugar más barato.

J.R.R. Now I understand how Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings, isolating himself from the world in this pub. Because there is nothing to draw attention or distract :))

Really enjoyed our meal here, fish and chips were great, good size portion and the history added to the enjoyment.

Great beer. Great Pie. Cosy pub.

Cozy little pub and great if you like literary history.

Interesting old pub with some atmospheric settings. But insufficient info about sandwiches available, disappointing choice available for lunch.

Lovely historic pub. The lady who served us wasn't particularly friendly or helpful unfortunately.

Very nice beer with friendly service and a true literary pilgrimage site.

Right off the coach and straight to lunch at the Eagle and Child We started with beer and orange Gin and on to the soup, very traditional potato and leek, very good and perfect in a cold winter day We continued with "Toad in a hole", 3 pork souseages in yorkshire pudding on mash potatoes which was very nice and tasty We also had the trio of mini pies, pulled pork and ale, chicken balti and shepherds pie, all were good If you are around step in, it's warm and tasty Recommended! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Good food, good beer, friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere. Not sure why I left.

The Eagle and Child (aka Bird and Baby) is something of a heritage pub with strong ing links to Tolkein, CS Lewis etc. It has some nice seating spaces and it's distinctly individual but loses out on 5 stars due to the limited serving space and staff which can results in quite long delays in getting served. It's due for refurbishment soon.

We loved this pub and the food we ordered.

Historic Oxford pub that unfortunately has lost much of its charm, becoming a carbon copy Nicholson's with a few plaques about the Inklings and a weak selection of beers. Far better option is the Lamb and Flag just across the road. Not only is it the pub that Tolkien and Lewis met in originally (before they changed the wallpaper) but profits from drinks fund student scholarships!

Quite touristy, not somewhere I'd recommend for a traditional British pub experience. (Check out Turf or King's Arms)

Mycket goda pajer dock inte så stort utbud på cider.

Lovely and cozy, good food. Can get busy but staff are great

Slightly rude (maybe because of being an American) but good beer and atmosphere

Nice place to relieve the stress of presentation. Some debate about those eagles and Mordor though

Nice, cozy place. It smelled a bit funny though.

My wife and I visited this pub because of its history and the pie menu.

The fish and chips are delicious, and the beer recommended by the clerk is also delicious.

Very quaint pub staff very helpfull nice and cosie pub

Its not what it could be. I went cautiously as many had advised me it wasnt as good as it used to be (indeed tolkien himself defected to the lamb and flag across the road I believe). Its a Nicholson's pub, which means good beer and decent food. The toilets however could do with some renovation, broken locks on the doors and they didnt look very clean at all. This pub however trades on Tolkien, no-one I know has visited for another reason, thus it should have more Tolkien. Own its history rather than just having some lord of the rings figures over the bar and the rabbit room sign. Go big! If it wasnt at all related to my favourite author itd be a decent pub.

Talvez o pub mais famoso de Oxford é também um dos mais lotados e menos aconchegantes, mas não por causa dos atendentes que são atenciosos, mas devido o espaço apertado. O ambiente é familiar, e bom pra um happy hour, mas pode ser dificil conseguir uma mesa. No entanto conseguir cerveja é tranquilo. Ufa! Contudo, não curti. Apertado, muito cheio, cheiro estranho na entrada. Com tantas outras boas opções em Oxford, esse é um que não estaria entre os primeiros.

Obviously I went here based on the "Inklings" history. Without that connection, it's really just a small, cramped pub,nothing special about it. Equally, nothing particularly bad but it does look a bit tired and needs updating. Service was fine.