Oxford: Historic Pubs & Taverns Guided Walking Tour

Explore the captivating history and local legends of Oxford’s vibrant pub culture on this guided walking tour. Venture through iconic venues like The Turf Tavern and The Bear Inn, where renowned literary figures like J.R.R. Tolkien and Oscar Wilde once gathered. With engaging commentary and multilingual options, you’ll uncover the stories behind these historic watering holes and gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s enduring pub traditions. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local looking to rediscover Oxford, this tour promises an immersive experience that will leave you thirsty for more.

Key Points

• A guided walking tour that explores historic pubs and taverns in Oxford, providing insights into the city’s rich pub culture and notable patrons.
• Tour duration is approximately 1.5 hours, with a price of €18.00 per person, and features live commentary in English and multilingual audio options.
• Key highlights include visiting The Turf Tavern, The Bear Inn, and The Lamb and Flag, each with its own unique history and legends.
• Flexible booking and cancellation policy, allowing for easy planning and adjustments to the tour schedule.
• Knowledgeable guide shares captivating anecdotes and historical context about the iconic establishments along the tour.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The activity on offer is a guided walking tour of Oxford’s historic pubs and taverns, lasting approximately 1.5 hours. Priced from €18.00 per person, the tour provides live commentary in English.

Guests will meet at the Carfax Tower on High Street and finish at the Turf Tavern. The tour highlights iconic pubs like The Bear Inn and The Lamb and Flag, sharing stories of famous patrons such as J.R.R. Tolkien and Bill Clinton.

Multilingual audio commentary is available in several languages, and a sightseeing app with 6 self-guided tours is included for further exploration.

Booking and Cancellation Policy

To book a spot on the tour, customers can reserve their place without making an upfront payment.

There’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Customers can check availability for different starting times through the tour’s booking platform.

Flexible booking with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and availability for different starting times.

This flexible policy allows visitors to easily plan their Oxford exploration around the historic pubs and taverns guided walk.

Whether travelers need to adjust their schedule or simply want the option to cancel, the booking and cancellation terms provide convenient and hassle-free arrangements for this engaging walking tour.

Highlights of the Itinerary

Visitors on the Oxford Historic Pubs & Taverns Guided Walking Tour can expect to discover iconic establishments that have hosted famous patrons throughout history.

The tour takes guests to:

• The Turf Tavern, a beloved haunt of legends like J.R.R. Tolkien and Bill Clinton

• The Bear Inn, one of the oldest pubs in Oxford, dating back to 1242

• The Lamb and Flag, known for its cozy atmosphere and intriguing local legends

Along the way, the knowledgeable guide shares captivating anecdotes that bring the city’s rich pub culture to life.

Featured Pubs and Taverns

Iconic establishments line the streets of Oxford, each oozing with history and captivating stories. The tour visits several renowned pubs and taverns, each with its own unique charm and legacy.

| Pub/Tavern | Famous Patrons | Historical Significance |

| — | — | — |

| The Turf Tavern | J.R.R. Tolkien, Bill Clinton | Dates back to the 13th century and was a favorite haunt of scholars and writers. |

| The Bear Inn | C.S. Lewis | One of the oldest pubs in Oxford, established in 1242. |

| St. Aldates Tavern | T.E. Lawrence | Known for its traditional ales and cozy atmosphere. |

| The Lamb and Flag | Oscar Wilde | Formerly a coffee house, it later became a popular drinking spot for university students. |

Guests will delight in the rich tapestry of these iconic venues, uncovering the fascinating tales that have unfolded within their walls.

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Stories of Famous Patrons

What stories do these historic pubs hold? Along the tour, guests will discover the famous patrons who’ve graced the halls of these establishments.

• J.R.R. Tolkien, the renowned author of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit", was a regular at The Eagle and Child pub, where he met with the Inklings literary group.

• Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, known for his love of pubs, famously got stuck in the restroom window of The Turf Tavern while visiting Oxford.

• The Bear Inn claims connections to King Charles I, who’s said to have enjoyed the hospitality of this 12th-century watering hole.

Local Legends and Historical Anecdotes

As guests traverse the cobblestone streets of Oxford, they’ll uncover a trove of local legends and historical anecdotes woven into the fabric of these iconic pubs.

The Turf Tavern, for instance, is rumored to be the site where former US President Bill Clinton "didn’t inhale" marijuana while a student.

The Bear Inn, dating back to 1242, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former landlord.

At the Lamb and Flag, visitors may learn about the pub’s history as a boxing venue and the legend of the "Savage Club" that once met there.

Sightseeing App and Multilingual Audio

To enhance the tour experience, the Oxford Historic Pubs & Taverns guided walking tour includes a complimentary sightseeing app, which provides users with 6 self-guided walking tours for further exploration.

Plus, the tour offers multilingual audio commentary available in:

The tour offers multilingual audio commentary in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Mandarin for a personalized, immersive experience.

• English

• French

• Spanish

• German

• Italian

• Mandarin

Participants can simply download the app and connect their mobile devices and headphones to access the tour content in their preferred language, ensuring an immersive and personalized experience.

Tour Logistics and Preparation

Participants are encouraged to arrive at the Carfax Tower, the meeting point, at least 5 minutes prior to the tour’s scheduled start time. The tour guide will be wearing a dark blue Vox City uniform, making them easily identifiable. To fully engage with the tour, guests should bring a charged smartphone to download the sightseeing app via the QR code on their voucher. This will provide access to 6 self-guided walking tours for further exploration after the guided tour.

| Tour Preparation Checklist | |

| :— | :— |

| Arrive 5 minutes early | ✓ |

| Bring charged smartphone | ✓ |

| Download sightseeing app | ✓ |

| Wear comfortable shoes | ✓ |

| Dress for the weather | ✓ |

The Sum Up

Enjoy the captivating history and vibrant pub culture of Oxford on this guided walking tour. Discover iconic venues, uncover the stories of famous patrons, and explore local legends. With multilingual options and a sightseeing app, you’ll have a comprehensive and enriching experience as you explore the city’s historic pubs and taverns.

You can check availability for your dates here: