Bear Inn, Grade II listed pub in Alfred Street, Oxford, England
The Bear Inn is a small pub located on Alfred Street with wood-paneled walls, brass bell pushes, and a front room featuring a fireplace. These traditional details run throughout the interior of the building.
The building began in 1242 as a coaching inn and moved to its current location at the intersection of Alfred and Blue Boar Streets in the 1600s. This shift marked a key point in its long existence in Oxford.
The pub draws students and graduates from Oxford University who gather here throughout the academic year for social occasions. This connection to the university community remains central to how the place functions today.
The pub offers traditional British food and maintains a selection of real ales throughout the week. The space fills up during evening hours, so arriving earlier in the day offers a more relaxed visit.
The walls and ceiling display over 4,500 clipped neckties in glass cases, a collection that began in the 1950s. The owner started this practice by trading half pints of beer for ties, creating a decoration that few visitors expect to find.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.