King's Arms
40 Holywell StreetOxford
OX1 3SP
(01865) 242369
Opening times: Mon–Sun 11:00-23:00
Regular beers:
Chadlington --varies--, Lister's --varies--, St Austell Proper Job, Young's London Original, Young's London Special
See more about this pub on WhatPub, CAMRA's national pub guide.
Something of an institution, the pub, one of a handful claiming to be the oldest in Oxford, has been on this site since 1607, the king in question being James l. It’s owned by Wadham College, whose students live on the upper floors. The historic interior is listed by CAMRA. There are five rooms, the larger areas containing tables; the pub is usually very busy, but the quieter and most atmospheric areas are the panelled back bar and the “office”, with its real fire and leather sofas. Until 1973 a small bar with the entrance in Holywell Street was 'Gentlemen Only'. The outside seating is a few picnic tables on the pavement at the front.