The Eagle and Child, Literary pub in St Giles, Oxford, England.
The Eagle and Child is a pub on St Giles in Oxford, England, currently closed for renovation work. The upper floors are being converted into hotel rooms while the building itself remains protected as a listed property.
The establishment opened in 1684 and took its name from the legend of Zeus' eagle and Ganymede or from the crest of the Earls of Derby. The Inklings began meeting here regularly in the 1930s, continuing until the group stopped gathering in the 1960s.
The pub served as a regular meeting place for the Inklings literary group, where C.S. Lewis first shared proofs of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
The pub sits on a central street in Oxford and is temporarily closed for renovation work. Visitors should check current status before planning a visit, as reopening details remain pending.
University College owned this property since the 17th century as part of their endowment until selling it to St John's College in 2003. C.S. Lewis first read proofs of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe here while the literary group met in the back room.
Location: Oxford
Address: 49 St Giles, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3LU
Website: http://nicholsonspubs.co.uk/theeagleandchildoxford
GPS coordinates: 51.75720,-1.26030
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:22
English pubs exist not only in city centers but also in remote countryside locations, along coastlines, and in rural communities. Many of these establishments have operated for centuries, combining historic architecture with regional beer culture. The buildings range from medieval stone structures to Tudor timber frames, with some housed in former monasteries, ferry crossing inns, or mountain walking routes. Pubs in this group include The Old Ferry Boat Inn in Holywell, dating to the 11th century, and The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead, connected to literary figures and highwaymen. In Oxford, the Turf Tavern offers a hidden courtyard tucked behind medieval city walls, while The Eagle and Child became known as the meeting place for the Inklings writers' group. The Nutshell in Bury St Edmunds claims the title of Britain's smallest pub. Other locations include Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham, built partly into caves beneath the castle, the 12th-century Skirrid Mountain Inn in Abergavenny, and The Pandora Inn on Restronguet Creek in Cornwall. Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire sits at 1,732 feet (528 meters) above sea level, making it England's highest pub.
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