Central Southern Region

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

King's Arms

40 Holywell Street
Oxford
OX1 3SP
Telephone(01865) 242369
Real AleReal FireQuiet PubFamily FriendlyGardenLunchtime MealsEvening MealsSeparate BarGamesSmokingFunction RoomWiFi
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.