Eagle, Cambridge Travel Guide

4.4 (6230)

17th-century Cambridge pub where DNA was announced and wartime airmen left ceiling graffiti

A 17th-century coaching inn on Bene’t Street, The Eagle stands opposite St Bene’t’s Church in central Cambridge. Visitors enter a Grade II listed building where Francis Crick announced the DNA double-helix structure in 1953 and where RAF airmen left preserved ceiling graffiti during WWII. The pub serves traditional British food and Greene King ales in a series of intimate rooms plus a beer garden. It attracts a steady mix of university staff, locals and tourists who combine a meal or drink with reading the plaques and examining the historic markings. The atmosphere remains characterful and busy throughout the year.

A brief summary to Eagle

Bene't St, Cambridge, CB2 3QN, GB
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Duration: 0.5 to 3 hours
Mid ranged
Mixed
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Monday 11 am-11 pm
Tuesday 11 am-11 pm
Wednesday 11 am-11 pm
Thursday 11 am-12 am
Friday 11 am-12 am
Saturday 11 am-12 am
Sunday 12 pm-10:30 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Eagle.

Visit mid-morning or early afternoon on weekdays to avoid queues and secure seating in the RAF Bar.
Combine the visit with a walk around nearby colleges and Market Square for an efficient half-day itinerary.
Look up at the preserved RAF ceiling graffiti in the rear bar and read the updated DNA plaques in the middle room.

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Getting There

Walk

From Market Square or King’s Parade, follow Bene’t Street east for two minutes to reach the pub entrance.
Bus

City buses stop within 200 metres; alight at the nearest central stop and walk the short remaining distance.
Train

Cambridge station is a 20–25-minute walk or a five-minute bus ride into the historic centre.
Car

Park at Grand Arcade or Park Street multi-storey; the centre has vehicle restrictions and no on-site pub parking.

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Discover more about Eagle

Historic Significance

The Eagle opened as a coaching inn in 1667 and ranks as Cambridge’s second-oldest pub. Its timber-framed frontage dates from around 1600. In February 1953 Francis Crick and James Watson, regular lunchtime visitors from the nearby Cavendish Laboratory, announced the double-helix structure of DNA to patrons here. Blue plaques updated in 2023 also recognise Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. During the Second World War, RAF and US airmen inscribed names, squadron numbers and doodles on the rear-bar ceiling using candles, lighters and lipstick; the markings were later uncovered and preserved.

Interior Layout and Features

The building comprises a street-front bar, a middle room containing commemorative plaques and a dedicated table, and the rear RAF Bar with its graffiti ceiling. A galleried courtyard wing leads to an outdoor beer garden. The rooms are compact and traditional, with wooden floors, low ceilings and walls lined with historic notices. The site is owned by Corpus Christi College and sits directly opposite Cambridgeshire’s oldest surviving building.

Food, Drink and Daily Operation

The menu offers classic pub dishes including steaks, pies, Sunday roasts and small plates, alongside vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices. A commemorative “Eagle’s DNA” ale is brewed for the pub. Seating is available indoors year-round and outdoors when weather permits. The operation is family-friendly and dog-friendly, with free Wi-Fi and wheelchair access. No entry fee applies; spending centres on food and drink.

Visitor Flow and Atmosphere

Most visitors arrive on foot from Market Square or nearby colleges, pause to read the exterior plaque, then move inside to view the ceiling and plaques before ordering. The pub remains busy with a blend of academics, students and tourists, particularly at lunchtime and early evening. The front rooms feel cosy and enclosed while the beer garden offers a lighter, open setting in fine weather.

Access and Surroundings

The location lies within Cambridge’s pedestrian historic core, a few minutes’ walk from King’s Parade and Market Square. City buses stop nearby; the railway station is a 20–25-minute walk or short bus ride. Vehicle entry to the centre is restricted; drivers use nearby multi-storey car parks such as Grand Arcade. Cycling is straightforward and common. The surrounding streets contain university buildings, churches and market activity.