Lionels Tattoo Studio est 1973

Lionel's Tattoo Studio is Oxford's original walk-in tattoo establishment, founded by Lionel in 1973 above a ladies' hair salon in St Clements. It holds the distinction of being the oldest tattoo shop in the city, and since its earliest days most tattooing was carried out on a walk-in basis, with larger pieces booked in for evenings and Sundays outside regular hours. That founding philosophy still shapes the studio today: a welcoming, friendly atmosphere where every design is discussed openly and thoroughly with the client before the needle ever touches skin.

Now run by Lionel's son, Barnaby, the studio continues to serve Oxford with the same dedication to personal, unhurried consultations, whether a client wants a small, simple design or an extensive full-body suit. Barnaby is joined by Curly, who brings particular expertise in tribal-style tattooing, adding a specialist dimension to the studio's offering. Together they carry forward more than five decades of continuous tattooing tradition in the city, combining old-school walk-in accessibility with a genuine commitment to helping every client choose a tattoo that's right for them.