Oxford: The Inklings & Medieval Scholars' Tavern Walk

6 Alfred St, Oxford OX1 4EH

💡 One of Oxford's oldest pubs, dating back to 1242. Its walls are famously adorned with over 4,500 snippets of ties from various university clubs, colleges, and regiments, a tradition started in the 1950s. Look for the oldest ones and imagine centuries of students passing through its low doorways.

4 Bath Pl, Oxford OX1 3SU

💡 A truly hidden gem, nestled down a narrow alleyway (St Helen's Passage) near the Bridge of Sighs. This 17th-century pub, built on the old city wall, has a maze of low-beamed rooms and a charming courtyard. It's famously where Bill Clinton "didn't inhale" and where C.S. Lewis was known to enjoy a drink.

40 Holywell St, Oxford OX1 3SP

💡 Reputedly the oldest pub in Oxford and a favourite among academics, dons, and students from nearby colleges like Wadham and Hertford. Its proximity to the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera means you're almost guaranteed to rub shoulders with modern-day scholars debating the universe over a pint.

12 St Giles', Oxford OX1 3JS

💡 Just a stone's throw from the Eagle and Child, the Lamb & Flag was another frequent haunt of The Inklings, though less formal than their primary meeting spot. Imagine Tolkien and Lewis strolling across St Giles' from their college rooms, deep in discussion before a pint here. Look out for the plaque commemorating its literary connections.

49 St Giles', Oxford OX1 3LU

💡 The spiritual home of The Inklings. This historic pub, known affectionately as "The Bird and Baby," was where C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and their literary circle met every Tuesday morning from the mid-1930s to the late 1940s to discuss their works, including *The Lord of the Rings* and *The Chronicles of Narnia*. Seek out the 'Rabbit Room' where they often convened.