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The Head of the River

4.0 star property
Eco-certified inn with a restaurant and a bar

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Photo gallery for The Head of the River

Exterior
Cosy Room | Bathroom | Shower, free toiletries, hair dryer, towels
Interior
Front of property
Comfy Room | 1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi

Room options

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Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Comfy Room

Comfy Room | 1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Comfy Room

Highlights

Heating
Free cribs/infant beds
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Sofa bed - double
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Free bottled water
  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Indulgence Room

Indulgence Room | 1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Indulgence Room

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Free bottled water
Electric kettle
Espresso maker
  • 16 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Cosy Room

Cosy Room | 1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Cosy Room

Highlights

Heating
Free cribs/infant beds
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Free bottled water
Electric kettle
  • 12 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room | 1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Family Room

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Free bottled water
Electric kettle
Espresso maker
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

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About the neighborhood

Map
Folly Bridge, St. Aldates, Oxford, England, OX1 4LB

What's nearby

  • University of Oxford - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Christ Church College - 4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Oxford Castle - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • New Theatre Oxford - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Bodleian Library - 12 min walk - 0.7 miles

Getting around

  • Oxford Station - 17 min walk
  • Heathrow Airport (LHR) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Joe & the Juice - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪The Place to Eat - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Sticks'n'Sushi - Oxford - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪The Old Tom - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Curzon Oxford - ‬9 min walk

About this property

The Head of the River

Upscale eco-certified inn near University of Oxford
Consider a stay at The Head of the River and take advantage of a terrace, a garden, and a bar. The on-site British cuisine restaurant, The Head of the River, offers lunch and dinner. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Other perks at this inn include:
  • Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge) and smoke-free premises
  • Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff and location
Room features
All guestrooms at The Head of the River include amenities such as free WiFi, espresso makers, and free bottled water.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Bathrooms with showers and free toiletries
  • Flat-screen TVs with digital channels
  • Electric kettles, heating, and housekeeping

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.

Languages

English

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
  • Smoke-free property

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

Frequently asked questions

Is The Head of the River pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. There's a fee of GBP 10 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.

How much is parking at The Head of the River?

This property doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at The Head of the River?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at The Head of the River?

Check-out is at 11 AM.

Where is The Head of the River located?

Located in Oxford City Centre, this eco-certified inn is within a 5-minute walk of Thames River and University of Oxford. Thames Path and Christ Church College are also within 5 minutes. Oxford Station is 17 minutes by foot.

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The Head of the River Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 327 out of 661 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 236 out of 661 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 56 out of 661 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 35 out of 661 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 661 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10

Bed and breakfast feel! Beautiful property.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10

Very good food and the accommodation is great
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10

Good polite flexible service.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10

We loved our stay! It was close to the major sights as well as the bus station and right by the river. Such cozy hotel and comfortable beds. We had a family room which was a good size and we enjoyed the complementary tea and coffee in the room. Nice pub and outdoor space.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10

Great accommodation with lovey staff and great pub !
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10

loved the stay
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10

Had a great stay at Head of the River this weekend. Hotel and staff were great.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10

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

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

Love this place, never fails.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10

We had a great stay at The Head of the River. Our room was really comfy - and our dog Bert was made really welcome too. Breakfast was exceptional.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10

Convenient location and walkable to town. Staff was friendly and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10

Love this property, everything you could ask for. Great food, lovely room with such character, great breakfast. Close to all the top spots in Oxford and close to the railway station and bus drop off from London.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10

Lovely stay
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10

We enjoyed a 2-night stay at Head of the River. Fantastic location. Restaurant/pub on site was excellent—and the included breakfast was an added bonus. Staff was lovely! Beds were very comfortable and bed linens were high quality. Loved our stay and would absolutely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10

Very friendly and helpful staff. Bedrooms were very comfortable with excellent bathroom and shower - although floor of shower was a bit slippery. Lovely choice of breakfast. Can’t wait to return.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10

Room very clean and comfortable, good view, quiet despite being next to a busy road. Staff all pleasant and helpful. Top quality complimentary teas and coffees. Lovely toiletries. Great breakfast. Would definitely stay again
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10

The Head off the river is a stunning place to stay. The room is very clean and has everything you can need. The staff from the beginning were helpful and accommodating. The food at the restaurant had a full and great selection, and delicious.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10

Great location, quaint atmosphere!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

8/10

Great location and delicious meals.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

10/10

Wonderful place to stay and relax
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10

Very friendly and helpful staff, high quality rooms, tasty breakfast, convenient location, would recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10

Lovely rooms and pub in a beautiful old building. No on-site parking is a bit of a nuisance, but also understandable given the amazing location!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10

Friendly, helpful staff. Comfortable room. Excellent pub/restaurant. No lift.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10

Staff was extremely courteous and helpful!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023