Head of the River
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Fast facts
Check in from | 15:00 |
|---|---|
Check out by | 11:00 |
Breakfast | Breakfast available. |
Pets | Pets are allowed. |
Children | Children are welcome at this hotel. |
Amenities
Wi-Fi
Restaurant
Non-smoking
Pets allowed
Bar
Handrails in stairways
More about Head of the River
Head of the River
Just a few minutes’ walk from Oxford city centre, the Head of the River is situated on the banks of the scenic River Thames. This traditional inn features a riverside terrace and a stylish restaurant.
Ratings and reviews
Cleanliness4.3
Location4.7
Service4.0
Rooms4.1
Value3.7
Sleep quality4.0
Traveller reviews
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Mentioned by travellers
Couple
Comment: 26 Feb 2025
Great place to stay in Oxford by the river
Lovely room, friendly staff. Perfect spot to relax after a day’s sight seeing. Nice view of the river, we walked through Christchurch water meadows the next morning.
We went in February - nice log fire- and it was very quiet. Breakfast was excellent, dinner ok.
We went in February - nice log fire- and it was very quiet. Breakfast was excellent, dinner ok.
Hotel response
Comment: 4 March
Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a lovely and detailed review. The feedback is brilliant and really helps us to know how and where we can improve.
I do hope you'll come back and stay again in the future and yes we always recommend a nice morning walk through the Christchurch meadow- it's a must!
Many thanks,
HotR Team
I do hope you'll come back and stay again in the future and yes we always recommend a nice morning walk through the Christchurch meadow- it's a must!
Many thanks,
HotR Team
Comment: 16 Mar 2025
Stayed in: Mar 2025
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.
Family traveller
UK
Comment: 9 Mar 2025
Unwelcoming and too obviously down to a budget
The ok things first: the hotel is in a lovely spot and has a really good riverside beer garden. The beer is excellent and there is enormous choice if you like gin. The staff were ok.
It wasn't nearly enough, and if we had been staying more than one night in Oxford we would have moved hotels.
The most serious things first. We were allocated to room 21, which was in an annexe. To reach the room there was a short walk and then climb up three storeys via eight flights of steep wooden stairs in a blind stairwell. I'm a fairly robust 75 year-old, but my wife found the climb very tough
It was only on the following morning that we realised, this was the only escape route, and the Fire notice showed only the one staircase. If we had seen this earlier we would have left immediately. The fire door at the top of the stairs was open. I assume there is a fire safety certificate but we did not feel safe, albeit restrospectively
The room was clean and had a lovely bed. But it was very small - one person at a time moving around.
When we got back from our concert we had a drink in the bar, but it was uncomfortably cold, which I wouldn't mention except that it seemed to sum up the lack of generosity and hospitality of the hotel's regime. An other example was that when I asked if they were showing the rugby in the bar the next day, they said it was full and I'd have to find a pub in the city.
Finally, we came down to breakfast just after 9, to find that the cold buffet was looking a bit forlorn. The helpful staff produced some nice warm croissants, but my the bacon in my English breakfast reminded me of a bad day in the college refectory. It was more like a Sealink car ferry buffet than a four-star hotel.
Overal, it was nothing like a four star hotel.
It wasn't nearly enough, and if we had been staying more than one night in Oxford we would have moved hotels.
The most serious things first. We were allocated to room 21, which was in an annexe. To reach the room there was a short walk and then climb up three storeys via eight flights of steep wooden stairs in a blind stairwell. I'm a fairly robust 75 year-old, but my wife found the climb very tough
It was only on the following morning that we realised, this was the only escape route, and the Fire notice showed only the one staircase. If we had seen this earlier we would have left immediately. The fire door at the top of the stairs was open. I assume there is a fire safety certificate but we did not feel safe, albeit restrospectively
The room was clean and had a lovely bed. But it was very small - one person at a time moving around.
When we got back from our concert we had a drink in the bar, but it was uncomfortably cold, which I wouldn't mention except that it seemed to sum up the lack of generosity and hospitality of the hotel's regime. An other example was that when I asked if they were showing the rugby in the bar the next day, they said it was full and I'd have to find a pub in the city.
Finally, we came down to breakfast just after 9, to find that the cold buffet was looking a bit forlorn. The helpful staff produced some nice warm croissants, but my the bacon in my English breakfast reminded me of a bad day in the college refectory. It was more like a Sealink car ferry buffet than a four-star hotel.
Overal, it was nothing like a four star hotel.
Hotel response
Comment: 13 March
Hi, Good Evening,
Many thanks for taking the time to leave us such a detailed review. I'm really very sorry that we fell short of your expectations on a number of fronts, I would like to address those for you and your peace of mind.
Your room- room 21 is not in an annexe, its simply in the wharf building which houses 7 of our 19 rooms and all are very much the same as the rooms above the pub (actually some benefit from a better view and can be quieter than being above the pub itself) the room itself was a 'comfy' room so one of our mid range rooms, we do have much more spacious rooms which are our indulgence rooms. I can also reassure you with regards to your fire exit concerns that we have very robust fire measures in place, have a fully up to date FRA, and following your email to the fire service we received a visit from the fire authority which we passed with no advisories so nothing to worry about there. The building is also a listed building so we cannot alter the staircase or add an elevator- one of the downsides, I guess, of a beautiful old building.
I'm very sorry, about the temperature you experienced in the bar area having returned after your concert, we have both central heating and a lovely warm open fire so I cannot explain why it would have been cold, unless of course it was close to closing time and we had let the fire die down for H&S reasons. I'm also very sorry that we couldn't accommodate you in the bar area for the England rugby match the next day, we do only have a limited number of tables (21) and once these are all booked we are full, we always advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
In terms of the breakfast, I'm really pleased the staff were helpful in providing you with buffet items, we do of course top it up as he morning goes by but as we get closer to breakfast finishing we do serve items from the kitchen directly to avoid food waste. I've also not ever had any complaints regarding our bacon but I will certainly pass on your comments to our HC.
I do hope the above will have helped assure you of our commitment to customer service and safety and hopefully you'll consider staying with us again in the future.
Warm regards,
David & Team.
Many thanks for taking the time to leave us such a detailed review. I'm really very sorry that we fell short of your expectations on a number of fronts, I would like to address those for you and your peace of mind.
Your room- room 21 is not in an annexe, its simply in the wharf building which houses 7 of our 19 rooms and all are very much the same as the rooms above the pub (actually some benefit from a better view and can be quieter than being above the pub itself) the room itself was a 'comfy' room so one of our mid range rooms, we do have much more spacious rooms which are our indulgence rooms. I can also reassure you with regards to your fire exit concerns that we have very robust fire measures in place, have a fully up to date FRA, and following your email to the fire service we received a visit from the fire authority which we passed with no advisories so nothing to worry about there. The building is also a listed building so we cannot alter the staircase or add an elevator- one of the downsides, I guess, of a beautiful old building.
I'm very sorry, about the temperature you experienced in the bar area having returned after your concert, we have both central heating and a lovely warm open fire so I cannot explain why it would have been cold, unless of course it was close to closing time and we had let the fire die down for H&S reasons. I'm also very sorry that we couldn't accommodate you in the bar area for the England rugby match the next day, we do only have a limited number of tables (21) and once these are all booked we are full, we always advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
In terms of the breakfast, I'm really pleased the staff were helpful in providing you with buffet items, we do of course top it up as he morning goes by but as we get closer to breakfast finishing we do serve items from the kitchen directly to avoid food waste. I've also not ever had any complaints regarding our bacon but I will certainly pass on your comments to our HC.
I do hope the above will have helped assure you of our commitment to customer service and safety and hopefully you'll consider staying with us again in the future.
Warm regards,
David & Team.
Comment: 6 Mar 2025
Stayed in: Mar 2025
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.
Comment: 2 Mar 2025
Stayed in: Mar 2025
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.
Excellent location
Folly Brg, St Aldate's, Oxford, OX1 4LB, United Kingdom|2.26 km from Oxford
10 things to dowithin 0.83 km
0.91 km
0.71 km
0.72 km
Transportationwithin 1.23 km
1.23 km
Airportwithin 2.26 km
2.26 km
Check in and check out
Check in from:
15:00
Check out before:
11:00
Good to know
Children are welcome at this hotel.
2 years old and under
Children can use extra beds for free.
2 years old and over
Children can use extra beds for an additional charge of GBP 10.0.
Pets are allowed.
Breakfast available.
Breakfast price
Please contact hotel for price information.
Breakfast options
Continental breakfast, English breakfast, Gluten Free breakfast, Vegan breakfast, Vegetarian breakfast.
Breakfast menu
From menu, Buffet.
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
The hotel accepts the following payment methods:
Head of the River: FAQs
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