Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Bird & Baby’, and a favourite haunt of JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis and their fellow Inklings, this quirky, rambling pub dates from 1650. Its narrow wood-panelled rooms still look great, and they’re still serving decent real ales, but it’s lost its way recently, and owners St John’s College have announced an imminent, ominous-sounding makeover.
©Amy Pay/Lonely Planet
Eagle & Child
Oxford