Restaurants

The Pub Scene

These places are all good choices for affordable meals.

The Head of the River, Abingdon Road at Folly Bridge, near the Westgate Centre Mall (tel. 01865/721600), is operated by the family brewery Fuller Smith and Turner. It's a lively place offering true traditional ales and lagers, along with good sturdy fare. In summer, guests sit by the river and can rent a punt or a boat with an engine. Twelve rooms, all with bathrooms and overlooking the river, are available for £95 to £120, including breakfast, newspaper, and parking.

At the Eagle and Child, 49 Saint Giles St. (tel. 01865/302925), literary history suffuses the dim, paneled alcoves and promotes a sedate atmosphere. For at least a quarter of a century, it was frequented by the likes of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. In fact, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit were first read aloud at this pub. Known as the "Bird and Baby," this hallowed ground still welcomes the local dons, and the food is good. It's a settled, quiet place to read the newspapers and listen to classical music on CDs.

The King's Arms, 40 Holywell St. (tel. 01865/242369), hosts a mix of students, gays, and professors. One of the best places in town to strike up a conversation, the pub, owned by Young's Brewery, features six of the company's ales along with visiting lagers and bitters that change periodically.