Oxford recommendations

[Withershins]

We are in Oxford on Saturday as our foster kids are meeting their family there for contact. I am looking for a quiet pub/place where DH and I can get some lunch, drinks, and sit with books and read etc for a couple of hours whilst we wait. We have been to Oxford several times now and really don't want to wander about aimlessly for 5 hours, we have a few things to get from the shops and then we just want to sit quietly.
We are meeting up at 11.30 at The Ashmolean, then collecting them at 4.30.
We generally park at Worcester St car park, so something that is in reasonable walking distance would be great.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The white rabbit pub does good pizzas and often not too busy.

Eagle and child is closer to the Ashmolean and does standard pub food but can get quite busy.

Haven't been to either for a little while though.

Thank you, I will look at those.

oxford

I posted a similar question a few weeks ago, and got all these brilliant replies.

The Eagle and Child is closed at the moment. If the weather is good, you could take a picnic to Christchurch meadow and walk along the river / find somewhere there to sit and read.

Cafe at the top of the ashmolean? Head straight up after drop off, get an early lunch. Would you want to go round the museum?

Most places central are busy on a Saturday. I would go to Art cafe for an early lunch and a coffee, then read and relax in the library opposite, and/or in the very classy fake grass and benches public seating area up on top of the Westgate. Nice toilets, good views, more space in the library than you’ll find in any cafe or pub, and lots of snacks nearby if needed!

The Royal Oak a little way up from Somerville College?

Thank you for the suggestions, I will have a look at them all.

Dunno but when I lived there one of the bookshops had an inbuilt coffee bar and seats where you can sit and read. Maybe get lunch at a pub and then migrate to there. Internet search should help you find it.

I agree with heading up towards the Westgate, lots of options for eating but places do get busy on a Saturday. If you need some shopping you'll likely be near the Westgate anyway.

For lunch Art Café is good as mentioned by a PP. We like Compitor the Lebanese restaurant for lunch right by there and reading in the library next door is a great shout. Lots of options too for food on the rooftop of the Westgate. You could go to one to eat lunch then another for a drink and to sit with your book.

If you like museums, the Ashmolean itself is an amazing museum and you could literally spend all day in there. It has a café on the rooftop but it gets very busy so best to go early.

If you want somewhere cosy try the Rose & Crown.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.