The Head of the River

4.0 star property

Photo gallery for The Head of the River

Exterior
Front of property
Interior
Cosy Room | Bathroom
Comfy Room

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Folly Bridge, St. Aldates, Oxford, England, OX1 4LB
  • University of Oxford
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Christ Church College
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Oxford Castle
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Oxford (OXF)
    ‪16 min drive‬

Room options

Comfy Room

  • 14 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Indulgence Room

  • 16 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Cosy Room

  • 12 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Family Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Oxford

With a stay at The Head of the River, you'll be centrally located in Oxford, steps from Thames River and 3 minutes by foot from University of Oxford. .This eco-certified inn is 10.8 mi (17.3 km) from Blenheim Palace and 3 mi (4.9 km) from John Radcliffe Hospital.

What's nearby

  • University of Oxford - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Christ Church College - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Oxford Castle - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • New Theatre Oxford - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Bodleian Library - 12 min walk - 1.1 km

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

Eco-certified inn with a restaurant and a bar
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.

Make yourself at home in one of the 19 guestrooms featuring espresso makers and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as desks and coffee/tea makers.
Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access.
At The Head of the River, enjoy a satisfying meal at the restaurant. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are served on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM and on weekends from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee.
The front desk is staffed during limited hours.
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.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • No on-site 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 (89 centimetre 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 bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk (107 centimetre 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

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. 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 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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 traveller

Travelled 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

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

Excellent

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

8/10 Good

sienna

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

10/10 Excellent

Asha

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

8/10 Good

malcolm

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elly

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

rosario

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

LYNN

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Had a great stay at Head of the River this weekend. Hotel and staff were great.
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

10/10 Excellent

Melanie

Travelled with partner
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

Leonard

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sally

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

Great breakfast

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 Excellent

Mehmet

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

panaporn

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Bernadette

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
would recommend & would stay again when in the area. room was clean and comfortable, food was good and affordable, staff was excellent
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

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

Quick but perfect stay at Head of the River!

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 Excellent

Lucy

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