Turf Tavern
The Turf Tavern
A 13th-century pub tucked into a narrow lane beside the Bridge of Sighs. Famous patrons such as Clinton and Hawking have sat under its low beams, and its open courtyards sit against the ancient city wall.
The Turf Tavern stands at the end of St Helen's Passage, beside the Bridge of Sighs. The building dates back to the 13th century, making it one of Oxford's oldest pubs. Its low, beamed ceilings mean tall visitors must duck to get through the door. Legend has it that Clinton, while studying at Oxford, once 'didn't inhale' here. Stephen Hawking and Margaret Thatcher are among other famous patrons, and the Inspector Morse series was filmed here several times. Several open-air courtyards hug the medieval city wall, and fire baskets keep them warm in winter. The pub serves traditional English pub food and local ales. It can get crowded, so expect to wait for a table at busy times.
Opening hours
Approx. 11:00–23:00
Nearby sights
- Bridge of Sighs, Oxford
- Radcliffe Camera
- Bodleian Library
- New College, Oxford
- University Church of St Mary the Virgin
- Sheldonian Theatre
- History of Science Museum, Oxford
- Merton College, Oxford