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Daytime

A Quiet Afternoon at Godstow Abbey

Start your afternoon with a walk along the river, ending with a pint in a literary landmark.

Best time: noneAbout 120 min

Timeline

  1. 13:00

    Godstow Abbey

    Walk north along the western bank of Port Meadow for roughly an hour, starting from near the train station, to reach Godstow Abbey. This former nunnery is completely open and easy to wander through, offering a quiet space to explore the ruins where a mistress of Henry II is buried.

  2. 13:50

    The Lamb and Flag

    Head to The Lamb and Flag, a big old pub with lots of nooks and crannies. It was a secondary meeting place for the Inklings, the literary group that included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Look for the inscription above the main door. This is a great spot to rest and have a drink.

  3. 14:20

    The Eagle and Child

    Walk to The Eagle and Child, popularly known as 'the bird and baby'. This was the frequent haunt of the Inklings, the group of Oxford literary dons that included the authors of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. It is a short walk from The Lamb and Flag.

Local tip

The Lamb and Flag and The Eagle and Child are both located near Oxford University Parks. The Lamb and Flag is open from 12:00 on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 12:00 on Sundays. The Eagle and Child has no specific opening hours listed, so it is best to check locally or arrive during typical pub hours.

Check before you go

  • The Lamb and Flag is open Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00 and Su 12:00-22:30.
  • The Eagle and Child opening hours are listed as N/A, so verify before visiting.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Oxford (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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