The Eagle & Child
Eagle & Child
49 St. Giles
OXFORD
OX1 3LU
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 302925
The Eagle and Child was a favourite watering-hole of J.R. Tolkien, author of Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis, who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, as well as other fellow writers. The writers dubbed themselves ‘The Inklings’ and often met for discussion (and argument) over a pint or two in the Rabbit Room of the pub they called ‘The Bird and Baby’. Lewis wrote of the ‘golden sessions’ they enjoyed by a blazing fire with their drinks to hand, and the wide-ranging nature of their philosophical and literary conversations. On a wall near the bar is a note to the landlord from these men, written in 1949 during one of their convivial meetings - it bears their signatures and states that they have drunk his health.
The Eagle & Child takes its’ name from the crest of the Earls of Derby and has been a public house since 1650.
Until the 1950s, there was a pony yard behind the pub and before the yard was covered over, the Eagle and Child was a two-roomed alehouse with a parlour at the back.
Ales and Malts
The Eagle and Child stocks an excellent range of three regular cask ales including; Hancocks HB and Old Hookies as well as guest ales and five malt whiskeys. It also offers a wide variety of red and white wines.
Food
The Eagle and Child serves traditional pub fayre, freshly prepared. The Eagle & Child’s 12oz Rib Steak is a favourite for visitors with a healthy appetite, or why not the Chicken & Bacon Salad if you’re looking for something a bit lighter?