The Oxenham Arms is one of the oldest inns in Devon, reputedly England. Built in the latter part of the 12th Century by lay monks, it later became the Dower House of the Burgoynes, whose heiress carried it to the Oxenham family, after whom the inn is named.

First licensed in 1477 and situated on the old coaching road in South Zeal, the inn has many historical and romantic associations.

John Oxenham, who was the first English captain to sail the Pacific, was a close ally of Sir Francis Drake and during the 1500’s launched many a raid together. To the English they were seen as naval heroes, to the Spanish, pirates and it was as a pirate that he was captured in the Atlantic, taken to Panama and sentenced to death. He was executed in Lima, Peru in 1580.

Another famous sailor and navigator who allegedly enjoyed the hospitality of The Ox was Admiral Lord Nelson.

From the world of literature, Charles Dickens, who as a guest for a month and whilst snowed in, was inspired to put pen to paper creating another classic. Other famous novelists, including Eden Phillpotts and The Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould drew real inspiration for both characters and settings from The Oxenham Arms. Books such as ‘The Beacon, John Herring, and Westward Ho!’ all make reference.