Oxford pubs are where Tolkien drank, where Lewis wrote, and where the dons still hold court.
Part of our 20 Best Pubs in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best pubs in Oxford
01 · Oxford
St Giles
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Iconic · Tolkien + Lewis
Iconic St Giles pub — Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met here as the Inklings.
Order: A pint in the Rabbit Room
02 · Oxford
Bath Place
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Iconic 13th century · Hidden
Iconic 13th-century Bath Place hidden pub.
Order: A pint in the courtyard
03 · Oxford
Alfred Street
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Iconic 1242 · Historic
Iconic 1242 Alfred Street pub — Oxford's oldest.
Order: A pint of cask ale
04 · Oxford
Holywell Street
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Iconic 1607
Iconic 1607 Holywell Street pub.
Order: A pint of cask ale
05 · Oxford
Wolvercote
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Iconic · Riverside
Iconic Wolvercote riverside pub on the Thames.
Order: A pint by the river
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06 · Oxford
Binsey
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Iconic · Riverside
Iconic Binsey riverside thatched pub.
Order: A pint in the garden
07 · Oxford
Broad Street
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Iconic · Inspector Morse
Iconic Broad Street pub — Inspector Morse drinks here.
Order: A pint of cask ale
08 · Oxford
North Parade
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Iconic · Real ale
Iconic North Parade real-ale pub.
Order: A pint of cask ale
09 · Oxford
Jericho
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Iconic · Real ale
Iconic Jericho real-ale pub.
Order: A pint of cask ale
10 · Oxford
Iffley
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Iconic · Riverside
Iconic Iffley riverside pub on the Thames.
Order: A pint by the river
How Oxford drinks in a pub
The 10 above are where Oxford actually drinks in pubs — proper cask ale, regulars who know the staff, the kind of room that earns the word.
