The amazing history behind 5 of Oxford's oldest pubs

The Mitre in High Street was one of Oxford’s most historic pubs until it shut in 2019 for a major revamp to improve student accommodation, and then reopened as Italian restaurant Gusto in 2022.

Real ale enthusiasts were sad to see the building, owned by Lincoln College, converted into a restaurant.

READ MORE: Where to find Oxford's cosiest pubs 

Dave Richardson, spokesman for the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA, said earlier that The Mitre could claim to be Oxford’s oldest pub, tracing its history back to the 13th century.

(Image: Oxford Mail) Lincoln College acquired the High Street property in 1475 and as Grade II* and Grade II listed buildings, much of The Mitre is of historical and architectural significance, but it is the pub that is the oldest part of the site.

Staff at The Mitre in fancy dress in 1987

Underneath the former pub there lies a network of medieval vaulted cellars from the 13th or 14th century.

(Image: Oxford Mail) Other important historical features include the building's 16th and 17th century timber panelling, the stone fireplaces, and the decorative plasterwork.

The Bear Inn in Alfred Street is also one of the city's oldest pubs.

Originally called the Jolly Trooper in 1774 it was renamed the Bear Inn in 1801. It is famous for its collection of ties, started in 1954 by landlord and Oxford Mail cartoonist Alan Course. The pub was visited by movie stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in the 1960s.

(Image: Oxford Mail) The Turf Tavern in Bath Place off Holywell Street dates back to 1381 when it was used as a malt house and drinking tavern. 

The pub was originally called the Spotted Cow, but the name was changed in 1842 to avoid its reputation for illegal gambling. 

(Image: Oxford Mail) The Crown in Cornmarket is another of Oxford's oldest pubs and is thought to date back to about 1600. It has had many famous landlords, including John Davenant, who kept the pub during the Gunpowder Plot.

(Image: Oxford Mail) The Chequers off High Street also has a long history as a hostelry and dates back to about 1500.

There are other pubs in the city which can claim to be among the oldest, including The Lamb & Flag in St Giles, but they will struggle to beat The Mitre, even though it is now trading as a restaurant.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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