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King's Arms, Oxford (Kings Arms)

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Cask Ale
Open
Operator: Young's
40 Holywell Street, Oxford, OX1 3SP (View on Google Map)
(01865) 242369
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  • Historic Interior

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. 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, behind. Until 1973 a small bar with the entrance in Holywell Street was for men only. The only outside seating is a number of picnic tables on the pavement at the front.

Historic Interest

Listed Grade II. Rebuilt early C18. Has some original features and an early C18 staircase and fireplaces. Interior listed by CAMRA as of some regional historic importance.

Information for this venue is provided by the Oxford Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Oxford District (B)
Last updated
Last surveyed
04/02/2023
Leasehold owner
Young's
Freehold owner
Wadham College
Pub ID
OXF/C-26
Asset of Community Value

One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest

Listed status: II

Claimed as Oxford’s oldest pub, built in 1607, though rebuilt in the eighteenth century, hence its Georgian appearance. The front parts are largely opened out and modernised though some decorative ceiling plasterwork remaining. The opening rear left, however, leads to a most characterful back portion. The corridor ahead has a glazed and heavily bowed partition behind which is a small bar that was 'gentlemen only' until about 1973. A now-closed door in the partition suggests this space was once split into two tiny rooms. The bar itself has old dado panelling and a very old bench at the rear; the counter is in the same style as the rest of the room but is more recent and the bar-back shelves mix old and new. Separating this bar from a lobby area is a glazed partition that almost reaches the ceiling and has a doorway and three sliding windows in the open position, two of which form hatches for service. The lobby has old dado panelling with bench seating attached and a baffle by the back door. Up three steps is a lounge, converted in 1992 from a former 'family room' for the licensee. It has a modern 'window' cut into the partition wall for supervision purposes.

Monday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Friday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Monday
Noon - 9:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 9:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 9:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 9:00pm
Friday
Noon - 9:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 9:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 9:00pm
TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

St Austell - Proper Job TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
St Austell Proper Job Pump Clip-2
St Austell - Proper Job Premium Pale Ale • 4.5%
St Austell Proper Job Pump Clip-2
SIBA Indie Beer Sold Here
St Austell - Proper Job

This beer is served regularly at King's Arms, Oxford.

ABV 4.5%
Style Premium Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Young's - London Original TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Young's - London Original
Young's - London Original Session Bitter • 3.7% Spotted once
Young's - London Original
Young's - London Original

This beer is served regularly and Spotted once. at King's Arms, Oxford.

ABV 3.7%
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Young's - London Special TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Young's - London Special
Young's - London Special Premium Bitter • 4.5%
Young's - London Special
Young's - London Special

This beer is served regularly at King's Arms, Oxford.

ABV 4.5%
Style Premium Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No
Changing

Changing beers typically include: Young's (seasonal)

Source: National

Your scores

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
tables on pavement
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Function Room Function Room
Games Games
Real Fire Real Fire
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (300m)
Closest station (1100m)
Oxford

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