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The Head of the River

Property class: 4

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A riverside restaurant with outdoor seating, a sign reading "The Head of the River," and a bridge connecting to another building. - The Head of the River (Oxford)
Comfy Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, WiFi (free), bed sheets - The Head of the River (Oxford)
A bar area with wooden furniture, hanging lights, and a bar counter. - The Head of the River (Oxford)
A room with a wooden desk, a chair, a mirror, and a shelf with a box and a small plant. - The Head of the River (Oxford)
A historic building with a waterfront view, featuring multiple levels with outdoor seating areas and a dock with boats. - The Head of the River (Oxford)
Located close to University of Oxford, The Head of the River provides a terrace, a garden, and a bar. The on-site British cuisine restaurant, The Head of the River, offers lunch and dinner. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Bar

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Comfy Room

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

Comfy Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(16 reviews)
  • 14 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Indulgence Room

A bedroom with a bed, bedside table, lamp, dresser, mirror, and window with a view.

Indulgence Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 16 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Cosy Room

A bedroom with a bed, a desk, a chair, a TV, and a window.

Cosy Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(9 reviews)
  • 12 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Family Room

A bedroom with a bed, a wooden wall, a window with curtains, a table with a chair, and a hanging light fixture.

Family Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(7 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Located in Oxford City Centre, a neighborhood in Oxford, The Head of the River is near a train station and on the waterfront. River Thames and Wittenham Clumps reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Waterperry Gardens and Millets Farm Centre. Millets Falconry Centre and Didcot Railway Centre are also worth visiting. Visit our Oxford travel guide
View more Inns in Oxford
Map
Folly Bridge, St. Aldates, Oxford, England, OX1 4LB

What's nearby

  • A historic building with a clock tower and a well-maintained lawn.
    University of Oxford
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • A historic building with a central tower, surrounded by a large courtyard with a fountain.
    Christ Church College
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • A historic stone tower with a clock, surrounded by trees and modern buildings.
    Carfax Tower
    9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • A historic building with a large arched entrance, a tower with battlements, and multiple flags.
    Oxford Castle
    9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • An arched stone bridge with ornate details and stained glass windows.
    New Theatre Oxford
    12 min walk - 0.7 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Black Sheep Coffee
    7 min walk
  • JOE & THE JUICE
    8 min walk
  • Pret A Manger
    8 min walk
  • The Breakfast Club
    8 min walk
  • itsu
    9 min walk

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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

  • 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
  • Vibrating pillow 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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of GBP 20 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
2 total pets
Pets cannot be left unattended
Specific rooms only; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Food and water bowls are available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Pet fee: GBP 20 per pet, per stay
  • 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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Frequently asked questions

Is The Head of the River pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total). There's a fee of GBP 20 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.

How much is parking?

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 inn is within a 5-minute walk of River Thames and University of Oxford. Thames Path and Christ Church College are also within 5 minutes. Oxford Station is 17 minutes by foot.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

The Head of the River Reviews

8.8

Excellent

9.2

Cleanliness

9.0

Location

9.0

Staff & service

8.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 407 out of 758 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 251 out of 758 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 58 out of 758 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 35 out of 758 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 758 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Shawn Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff, great food, and clean rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

ANNE-MARIE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and a lovely family room, with very friendly staff. Would thoroughly recommend!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rafael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect place to stay in Oxford. Gorgeous location on the river. Quaint and historic building with updated rooms. The free breakfast was lovely too.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

jackie.e.webster

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful spot overlooking the River. Very close to all amenities. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A fun, traditional, well-located hotel with a hopping bar and restaurant located right on the river (Thames or Isis, call it what you will) about 6-8 minutes by foot south of city center. Breakfast is included with the price of the room, and it's quite good. Not a fancy hotel by any means, this one does have a lot of charm.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Philippa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Gorgeous hotel , perfect location . Great breakfast and staff
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rachel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really excellent location for exploring Oxford and the room had everything we needed. Staff were very friendly and accommodating, and the breakfast was excellent with a range of hot options and continental. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Susanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
absolutely gorgeous hotel, the room was clean and well presented with a full coffee machine and kettle, the staff were lovely and welcoming and breakfast was really nice the location is beautiful too right on the river will definitely stay again
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Bhupinder

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
great hotel, friendly staff and ideal location
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Suyash

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good English breakfast
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Philip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is now my hotel of choice for stays in Oxford. Attractive, compact room with all relevant amenities, a really comfortable bed, and attractive views of the river. Breakfast was excellent. Service by the staff was also first rate.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Leon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel. Lovely room and decor and covered all the small things. Friendly staff. Amazing breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Anne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amzing stay! Everything you want at proper B&B. Cozy, comfortable rooms, great food and lovely atmosphere. Situated next to the river with a short walk to the Centre, it’s perfect for enjoying Oxford. Will definitely come back!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice room, great location and at a competitive price. Staff were very friendly and the breakfast was good.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Donald

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Great location, just outside the main high street and close to beautiful walking paths along the river. Also, surprisingly quiet. The only downside was the quality and price of the food. However, great place for a drink on the patio and lots of food options available within walking distance. Felt a bit sorry for the staff, they seemed overwhelmed and as a result, not very happy. Overall, would return if visiting Oxford again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kristen B.

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great room, lovely breakfast, fantastic location next to the river.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dorian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Charming and lovely hotel with delicious breakfast. Perfect location for walkability to city center and all sites in Oxford, and the indoor and outdoor pub/restaurant areas are very sweet. The "Family Rooms" vary, with some being too small for a family of 3 so ask about which room you will get, especially if your third person is an adult child. We would stay here again!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

10/10 Excellent

Hua

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything is wonderful. The only issue is the room is so tiny even we live in the family room. It is so hard to move around. Staff are very nice and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Candace

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved my stay here. Amazing location with riverfront views. Easily walkable to main attractions in Oxford. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
My husband and I had a wonderful stay. Loved the river view and the breakfast. The room was clean and comfortable. The only thing that could improve was the mattress which felt old and sunken.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lucy

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

10/10 Excellent

Patrick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
One night stay, and ended eating and drinking in the evening at the pub with 15% off the bill. The room was very clean and no problems. Overall I would definitely recommend staying and will in the future book a Fullers hotel again
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good location
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Josephine

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Pros: Great location, picturesque river view, nice large outdoor patio, cosy bar restaurant area, good breakfast, friendly staff. Cons: Room requires a thorough cleaning, very dusty with a musty smell, carpet should be cleaned or removed. Given the price paid the room was uncomfortable and disappointing.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026