What Oxford pub was the meeting place of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Inklings?

The Oxford pub associated with J.R.R. Tolkien’s Inklings was The Eagle and Child. The pub was also known by its traditional nickname, the Bird and Baby.

The Inklings were an informal literary discussion group that included Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Members met in Oxford during the 1930s and 1940s to discuss writing, mythology, theology, and works in progress. Tolkien read portions of The Lord of the Rings to the group as the long project developed.

The Eagle and Child stands on St Giles’ Street in central Oxford. The group’s meetings are closely associated with a private room known as the Rabbit Room. C.S. Lewis’s friendship with Tolkien was especially important, although the Inklings included other writers and scholars as well.

The nearby Lamb and Flag was another Oxford pub connected with literary gatherings, which creates a common mix-up. The Eagle and Child is the specific establishment traditionally identified with the Inklings’ regular meetings.