The Head of the River

4.0 star property
4-star inn near University of Oxford

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Head of the River

Exterior
Interior
Comfy Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Comfy Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Front of property

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
Folly Bridge, St. Aldates, Oxford, England, OX1 4LB
  • Place, University of Oxford
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Christ Church College
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, Oxford Castle
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Oxford (OXF)
    ‪16 min drive‬

Room options

Comfy Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(13 reviews)
  • 151 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Indulgence Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • 172 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Cosy Room

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 129 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Family Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

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About the neighborhood

Oxford

Central Oxford getaway .At this Oxford City Centre inn, you'll be well placed to visit Thames River and University of Oxford, both within a 5-minute walk. Thames Path and Christ Church Meadows are also within half a mile (1 km).

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

4-star inn near University of Oxford
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Public spaces have free WiFi. The Head of the River also features a terrace and a garden.

This 4-star Oxford inn is smoke free.

  • 19 guestrooms or units
  • 3 levels
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
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.

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

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

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with digital channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

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: GBP 10 per pet, per night
  • Food and water bowls are available
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • 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

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. No onsite parking is available. 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 Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Diners Club. Cash is not accepted. 

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

How close is The Head of the River to the airport?

The Head of the River is 8.8 mi (14-min drive) away from the Oxford (OXF) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

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

As of Oct 24, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Head of the River on Nov 17, 2025 start from $170.49, 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.

Does The Head of the River have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at The Head of the River.

Does The Head of the River offer free breakfast?

Free breakfast isn’t provided at The Head of the River, but cooked-to-order breakfast is offered for a fee of between GBP 10.00 and 15.00 per person. It's available on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM and weekends from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Is there a casino at The Head of the River?

No, there is no casino at this inn.

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.

Is there free parking at The Head of the River?

Free parking is not available at this inn.

Does The Head of the River have a pool?

The Head of the River does not have a pool.

Does The Head of the River have a restaurant?

The Head of the River is home to The Head of the River, which features British cuisine.

Does The Head of the River have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this inn.

How close is The Head of the River to downtown Oxford?

The Head of the River is 0.4 mi away from Oxford.