The Eagle and Child

The Eagle and Child — universally known as the "Bird and Baby" — is Oxford's most famous literary pub. From the 1930s to the 1960s, this was the Tuesday morning meeting place of the Inklings, the literary group that included J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams. They drank in the back room, now called the Rabbit Room.

What's happening now

The pub was purchased in October 2023 by the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) for a reported £8 million. It is currently closed for a major restoration. EIT has committed to reopening it as a traditional pub, with the ground floor — including the famous Rabbit Room — restored to its historic character. Upper floors will become academic meeting rooms. A reopening is expected around 2027.

The pub had previously been owned by St John's College (which sold it), then operated as a Nicholson's chain pub. Its acquisition by EIT is part of a wider investment in Oxford, including an £890 million science campus.

The history

If you're a Tolkien or Lewis fan, this is hallowed ground. The Lord of the Rings was first read aloud in the Rabbit Room. The Inklings met here every Tuesday morning for nearly three decades. When the pub reopens, it will be a notable literary landmark.

Practical notes

Currently closed for refurbishment — check the EIT website for reopening updates. On St Giles', easy to find. The Lamb & Flag across the road carries the Inklings torch in the meantime.