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The Head of the River

4.0 star property
Riverwalk inn with a restaurant and a bar

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Head of the River

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
The Head of the River offers a peaceful retreat in Oxford City Centre. Enjoy meals at the on-site restaurant, relax in the garden, or unwind at the bar. Free WiFi in each room. Staff can guide visitors to Christ Church College and University of Oxford.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

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)

Highlights

Heating
Free cribs/infant beds
Flat-screen TV
Sofa bed - double
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Coffee/tea maker
Espresso maker
  • 14 sq m
  • 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)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Coffee/tea maker
Espresso maker
Free bottled water
Electric kettle
  • 16 sq m
  • 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)

Highlights

Heating
Free cribs/infant beds
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Coffee/tea maker
Espresso maker
Free bottled water
  • 12 sq m
  • 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)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Private bathroom
Hair dryer
Coffee/tea maker
Espresso maker
Free bottled water
Electric kettle
  • 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

  • ‪Curzon Oxford - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Maya’s - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪The Place To Eat - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪JOE & THE JUICE - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪George & Danver - ‬5 min walk

About this property

The Head of the River

Upscale 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.

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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

  • 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

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

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The Head of the River Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 344 out of 681 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 239 out of 681 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 56 out of 681 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 35 out of 681 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 681 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

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

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Head of the River is the perfect spot for a trip to Oxford. Nestled next to the river, it’s a picture perfect taste of the old world wirh really lovely modern bathrooms
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

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

MaryJane

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

Christine

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

8/10 Good

sienna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
loved the stay
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

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

Melanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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 Excellent

Asha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Love this place, never fails.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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

8/10 Good

Aitch

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great people and good food. Terrible cleanliness standards though, there was a mouse in the restaurant!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

shameka

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is beautiful and the staff are very helpful and friendly. The restaurant is top tier and have a good buzzing crowd in the evening. The breakfast is really good as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Leigh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location. On the River and very close to Oxford
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The service was great and the management and staff were exceptional and would do anything to help you. What an excellant location you were a minute away from a entrance to the Christchurch meadow.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eileen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
So unique and one-of-a-kind. Close to everything we wanted to see.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Edward

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful stay at The Head of the River in a small room. In suite shower was great. Bed was comfy, although the room was a little warm. They’d provided two fans. Breakfast was amazing and the pub staff was very friendly. Lots of places to walk to and see the town of Oxford, 1/4 mile to Christ Church College.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Christina

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

Great place

this is a lovely place in a lovely location.you can walk to most places and the train station is only about .7 km away on an easy walk. Christ church is two blocks . the christ church meadow is behind the Inn and a lovely walk Located right on the thames so boat rides are available. the bed was very comfortable. breakfast is hearty but i'd avoid the eggs benedict. Staff lovely and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Derek

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Parking is a little work, but that comes with a great location in a very old city. Long stay, drop off the bags and park miles away. Short stay down the street at the mall is fine and safe. Everything else is wonderful. But I want to get a room next time, so keeping it to myself. ;)
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

4/10 Poor

Huntley

Liked: Staff & service
No elevator, thin walls, very small room at least the room we had. For the price that we paid I would not stay their again
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

bryan

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

Weekend in Oxford

We booked our stay through hotels.com. Check in was easy even though we arrived at 11pm. The building is old so has a lot of character and some of the old sash windows require attention but secondary glazing made the room comfortable. The room was fully equipped with everything we needed so no complaints. The breakfast suited us but some may find the choice a little limited compared to a large hotel. The main English cooked breakfast was one of the largest ever received - make sure you’re hungry- compliments to the chef! It’s a short walk into the Center and also not far from the park and ride. Service was friendly so couldn’t complain about anything. Would stay again 👍
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

philip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wed night Thames water decided to dig up Folley Bridge at 11.15pm. Unbelievably loud pneumatic drills being used to break up the concrete. This disturbance went on until about 3am. A total nightmare. Obviously not the fault of the Head of the River, but i hope HOTR will complain to the council for sanctioning these roadworks to begin at 11:15pm right next door to a hotel full of guests. Other than that, a perfect stay in Oxford and i fully recommend the HOTR as an ideal location with lovely hotel rooms.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

George

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were given a quiet room at the top & rear of the building with a beautiful, corner view of the river & Folly Bridge. The meals at the pub were terrific, the breakfasts were outstanding and the service always super friendly and helpful. The linen, little extras and furnishings in the room were great but the room itself was rather small and our suitcases had to go under the bed as there was nowhere else for them! Our fan was quite loud and the bed next door was very squeaky indeed & the walls must be very thin😂! If you have mobility issues, the many narrow stairs may be an issue.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Louise

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent location and staff. Highly recommended
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

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