Historic Oxford pub in alleyway once had a secret tunnel

While The Crown can be found just off Cornmarket Street, The Chequers is in an alleyway off the High Street.

Both hostelries are run by Nicholson’s, and The Chequers was given a £400,000 refurbishment in 2022. It’s the Oxford Mail Pub of the Week.

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The revamp focused on highlighting the pub’s heritage, including its original timber beams which dated back to the 1500s.

Kerry Skrzypiec, manager of The Chequers in 2025 (Image: Andy Ffrench)

College crests adorn the walls, and the pub is popular for its cask ales and traditional pub food, including fish pie (£17.50), steak and ale pie (£18), fish and chips, (£21) as well as sausage and mash (£15.50).

The pub has a fascinating history, and Nicholson’s has highlighted its past, saying: “Dating back to 1279, our Grade II-listed pub was once an exhibition hall for animals and inventors, and a base for money lenders.

“In the 1500s, the building was rebuilt by Alderman Richard Kent, transforming it from a moneylender’s tenement to a tavern.

“And, as they say, the rest is history. In the mid-1700s, the pub was home to a semi-permanent zoo of 14 exotic animals, including a camel, an opossum, and reportedly a shark.

Inside The Chequers pub in Oxford (Image: Andy Ffrench)

“Today, the exhibits of strange animals discovered by 17th century explorers have gone, but features such as the stained glass windows and carvings above the bar remain as a reminder of the building’s rich history.

“Rumour has it, the pub also has a secret tunnel that leads to another pub on the High Street. It is said to have acted as an escape route for Catholic priests illegally celebrating mass during the reign of King Henry VII.”

The Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) has praised the pub for its beers.

It said: “Now in the hands of Nicholson’s, the pub usually has a good selection of real ales with often two more on in the later part of the week.

“All the Oxford college crests are displayed on the ceiling, except for Corpus Christi, as the crest displayed is that of Corpus Cambridge.”

The pub has a 3.9 out of five rating on customer reviews site Tripadvisor.

One recent customer posted: “My favourite pub in Oxford – love it.

“Great drinks – best place to watch sport. I will be back again. Keep being the same.”

Another customer, who visited from Cardiff, added: “I popped in for a pint whilst checking out the finest cask ale pubs the beautiful city of Oxford has to offer. I was not disappointed when I checked out The Chequers.

“The limited edition ‘Maverick’ from St Austell brewery was very tasty. Expertly kept, cellar temperature and perfectly pulled.

“I highly recommend a visit to this wonderfully unique pub. The food looked great too.”