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The Head of the River

4.0 star property

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Exterior
Comfy Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Front of property
Comfy Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Interior

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
$176
includes taxes & fees
Nov 16 - Nov 17

Explore the area

View in a map
Folly Bridge, St. Aldates, Oxford, England, OX1 4LB
  • Place, University of Oxford
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Christ Church College
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, Oxford Castle
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Oxford (OXF)
    ‪16 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Comfy Room

Comfy Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Comfy Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(13 reviews)
  • 151 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Indulgence Room

Indulgence Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Indulgence Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • 172 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Cosy Room

Cosy Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Cosy Room

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 129 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

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About this property

The Head of the River

4-star inn in Oxford City Centre
This smoke-free inn features a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a garden. WiFi in public areas is free. Housekeeping is available on request.
The Head of the River offers 19 accommodations with espresso makers and complimentary bottled water. Flat-screen televisions come with digital channels. Bathrooms include showers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Additionally, rooms include coffee/tea makers and irons/ironing boards. Housekeeping is provided on request.

The inn offers a restaurant. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. This Oxford inn also offers a terrace and a garden.

The Head of the River is a smoke-free property.

Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available for a surcharge on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM and on weekends between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
The Head of the River - This pub specializes in British cuisine and serves lunch and dinner.

Awards and affiliations

Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Green Tourism Program, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • Cooked-to-order breakfast available for a fee 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekends; GBP 10 to 15 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • The Head of the River

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • On a river
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Front entrance ramp
  • Handrails in stairways (35 inches high)
  • Lever door handles
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Visual fire alarm
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk (42 inches high)
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • 3 floors
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Espresso maker
  • Free bottled water

More

  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8 AM - 9:30 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 11:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of GBP 10 per pet, per night
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Food and water bowls are available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately GBP 10.00 to 15.00 per person
  • Pet fee: GBP 10 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property is also known as

Head River
Head River Inn
Head River Inn Oxford
Head River Oxford
Head Of The River Hotel Oxford
The Head of the River Inn
The Head of the River Oxford
The Head of the River Inn Oxford

The Head of the River Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 345 out of 682 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 239 out of 682 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 56 out of 682 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 35 out of 682 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 682 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great value for money, superb service.

This a great spot, with super kind service across the board at a very fair price point. Rooms are comfortable and well equipped, and it’s nice to have a pub within the hotel. We would happily go back.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

MaryJane

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
This is the best boutique hotel in which i have ever stayed. The breakfast was excellent and the rooms well appointed. Lovely to be adjacent to the Thames. Unbeatable!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wow!

Very quaint boutique hotel with excellent pub and gorgeous flower boxes!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing rooms, great location, exceptional service.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jon

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Samrah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful, laid back, clean, on-the-water pub with very charming rooms & great breakfast that was included in the room rate. Great dining menu, outdoor terrace always busy. Overall a very friendly & accommodating staff. Walkable to City Centre, Christ Church, Ashmolean, Botanical Gardens, groceries, train station, you name it! Loved it! Special thanks to Emms & the gentleman managing the guests on the outdoor terrace.
Room with a view
Charming exterior
Charming interior
Breakfast
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Katy

Great stay

Lovely riverside pub with well decorated rooms. Bed was comfy and nice pillows. Good selection of complimentary tea and coffee and nice to have biscuits! A bit noisy if you have a bar side room but other than that a great stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Bed and breakfast feel! Beautiful property.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

I cannot wait to return!

Our experience at The Head of the River was just perfect. The property was unique, ideally located, and oozing with great energy. The pub/restaurant was excellent and the staff was the absolute best. The rooms were lovely and comfortable. Cannot recommend highly enough!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Andrew, Hamilton Parish

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good polite flexible service.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Candice

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rachel

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Loved It

Great property in a great location - right on the Thames and a 5 minute walk to Oxford.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A wonderful last minute stay!

The staff were friendly and welcoming, the pub setting by the river is great and our room was perfectly appointed with comfy bed and pillows and premium teas & coffees. Breakfast was included and the offering was just what we like. We’ll definitely be back, a faultless stay.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

cheryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Natalie

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Had a fab time and the staff were very friendly. We arrived at 2.30 so were told we couldn’t check in until 3 pm so we went to the bar for food and drinks. We were there until 4 so spent quite a bit then when we checked in we were then told we could have 10% off food and drink so my only suggestion would be to have this available as soon as people arrive as we had spent quite a lot.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved our rooms, very clean, excellent facilities. Little extras with quality teas, coffees etc. Good service, comfortable beds and pillows. Will definitely stay again
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wonderful play to stay and eat

The Head of the River was a really nice place to stay. It was close to all key Oxford sites and easily walkable. Parking was a short shuttle to lot and cheap. The Inn has great indoor and outdoor dining areas. The Inn's food was wonderful. Breakfast was amazing with lots of options. The room was very clean and spacious. Everything you need is in the room including fridge with water. I highly recommend staying and eating here.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lida

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very good food and the accommodation is great
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darren

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Helen

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent

Great service .. very lovely room
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025