The Head of the River

Travelers can savor authentic British cuisine and drinks while enjoying the scenic riverside setting in this historic Oxford city location

Choose dates to view prices

Where to?

Dates

January 2026

21

February 2026

Exterior - The Head of the River (Oxford)

Comfy Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets - The Head of the River (Oxford)

Interior - The Head of the River (Oxford)

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.

Excellent

Popular amenities

Pet-friendly
Free Wi-Fi
Bar

฿5,624 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Feb - 6 Feb

Room options

Check availability for these dates

Tonight

Jan 21 - Jan 22

Tomorrow

Jan 22 - Jan 23

All rooms

1 bed

2 beds

Showing 4 of 4 rooms

Comfy Room

Wonderful

Highlights

Heating

Free cots/infant beds

Flat-screen TV

Sofa bed

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Espresso maker

Free bottled water

14 sq m
Sleeps 2
1 Double Bed

Indulgence Room

Wonderful

Highlights

Heating

Flat-screen TV

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Espresso maker

Free bottled water

Coffee/tea maker

Electric kettle

16 sq m
Sleeps 2
1 Double Bed

Cosy Room

Exceptional

Highlights

Heating

Free cots/infant beds

Flat-screen TV

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Espresso maker

Free bottled water

Coffee/tea maker

12 sq m
Sleeps 2
1 Double Bed

Family Room

Excellent

Highlights

Heating

Flat-screen TV

Private bathroom

Hairdryer

Espresso maker

Free bottled water

Coffee/tea maker

Electric kettle

Sleeps 3
1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

About the area

Located in Oxford City Centre, a neighbourhood in Oxford, The Head of the River is near a train station and on the waterfront. Thames River 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

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

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 - 1.0 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

The Place To Eat
8 min walk
JOE & THE JUICE
8 min walk
Curzon Oxford
8 min walk
Pret A Manger
8 min walk
Maya’s
8 min walk

About this property

The Head of the River

Upscale inn near Thames River

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. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Other perks at this inn include:

Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge) and smoke-free property
Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff and location

Room features

All guest rooms 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

Similar properties

Free Wi-Fi
Breakfast available
24/7 front desk

฿5,335 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Feb - 9 Feb

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

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 are 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 at the property

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 any lifts

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 does it cost to stay at The Head of the River?

As of 21 Jan 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Head of the River on 5 Feb 2026 start from ฿4,686.69, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

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?

Checkout 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 College are also within 5 minutes. Oxford Station is 17 minutes by foot.

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The Head of the River Reviews

8.8

Excellent

9.0

Cleanliness

9.0

Location

9.0

Staff & service

8.4

Property conditions & facilities

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

16 Dec 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Candace

3 Nov 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Kristen B.

2 Sep 2025

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

GILLIAN

14 Nov 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities

First and foremost, the hotel has lovely staff. Very helpful and very pleasant. Our room ovetlooked the river and wasvery comfortable with robes, nice Bramley toiletries, a good bed, a nespresso coffee machine and stocked fridge.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

28 Aug 2025

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

Good location

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

3 Jul 2025

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

Amazing rooms, great location, exceptional service.

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

David

12 Sep 2025

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

Lovely hotel, great location, beautiful terrace by the river. The room was super cosy and comfortable. Breakfast was more than adequate with a buffet style continental and hot dishes made to order. The only area for improvement would be the food at dinner. The menu was a little dull and the food 3/5.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

MaryJane

27 Jul 2025

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

Juan

7 Jun 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Historic building, very well located. The room was cozy and with a beautifull view to the river

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine

27 May 2025

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

Bed and breakfast feel! Beautiful property.

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Katy

3 Jun 2025

Great stay

Lovely riverside pub with well decorated rooms. Bed was comfy and nice pillows. Good selection of complimentary tea and coffee and nice to have biscuits! A bit noisy if you have a bar side room but other than that a great stay.

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lucy

1 Nov 2024

Great accommodation with lovey staff and great pub !

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

LYNN

7 Dec 2024

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

Bernadette

10 Nov 2024

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

Verified traveller

15 May 2025

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

I cannot wait to return!

Our experience at The Head of the River was just perfect. The property was unique, ideally located, and oozing with great energy. The pub/restaurant was excellent and the staff was the absolute best. The rooms were lovely and comfortable. Cannot recommend highly enough!

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

vasvi

14 Nov 2023

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

Great location, quaint atmosphere!

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

8 Jul 2024

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

Beautiful old inn on the river, great food and nice staff

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anna

27 Feb 2025

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

Daniel

16 Mar 2025

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

Rebecka

6 Mar 2025

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

Great location and cozy

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 Excellent

Samrah

16 Jun 2025

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

Wonderful, laid back, clean, on-the-water pub with very charming rooms & great breakfast that was included in the room rate. Great dining menu, outdoor terrace always busy. Overall a very friendly & accommodating staff. Walkable to City Centre, Christ Church, Ashmolean, Botanical Gardens, groceries, train station, you name it! Loved it! Special thanks to Emms & the gentleman managing the guests on the outdoor terrace.