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The Head of the River

Property class: 4

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Photo gallery for The Head of the River

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

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Bar

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
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Oxford Castle
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Oxford (OXF)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Comfy Room

Comfy Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Comfy Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(15 reviews)
  • 14 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Indulgence Room

Indulgence Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Indulgence Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 16 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King 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
(8 reviews)
  • 12 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • 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)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

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About this property

The Head of the River

This smoke-free inn features a restaurant, a bar/lounge and a garden. WiFi in public areas is free. Housekeeping is available on request.
The Head of the River offers 19 accommodations with espresso makers and complimentary bottles of water. Flat-screen televisions come with digital channels. Bathrooms include a shower, complimentary toiletries and hairdryers.

Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones. Additionally, rooms include coffee/tea makers and an iron/ironing board. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at The Head of the River. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Thames River. Free WiFi in public areas, a restaurant and a bar are available. This property offers pet-friendly amenities, such as food and water bowls.
  • Free WiFi
  • Enjoy British cuisine while dining at The Head of the River
  • Amenities include a terrace
  • Guests have great things to say about the location and the helpful staff
  • Steps from Thames River and 3 minutes on foot from University of Oxford
  • Pets welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
  • Pet-friendly amenities are available, including food and water bowls
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.

The Head of the River – This pub specialises in British cuisine and serves lunch and dinner.

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

  • 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
  • Vibrating pillow 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: GBP 20 per pet, per stay
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Food and water bowls are available
  • Certain rooms only
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

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

  • Pet fee: GBP 20 per pet, per stay
  • 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

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
The front desk at this property is open daily from 8 AM - 9:30 PM.
Guests arriving after 11:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Pets are welcome in specific rooms only, which can be requested by contacting the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).

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

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 380 out of 720 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 242 out of 720 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 56 out of 720 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 35 out of 720 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 720 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Eileen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed it!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Rees

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
What a great find in a beautiful setting. Staff were helpful and the food was good. Great location too. I would definitely recommend staying here if your visiting Oxford and we will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We had a fabulous stay at Head of the river. We stayed in the hotel for food which was excellent value and great service. There was a selection of pastries, cereals and fruit for breakfast along with hot food which could be ordered. We stayed in a family room which was well appointed. Comfortable bed and a great hot shower. The only down side was the frosted glass door on the bathroom! It was a good job I was with very good friends as the door provided very little privacy! Please change it!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Dean

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Patrick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
One night stay, and ended eating and drinking in the evening at the pub with 15% off the bill. The room was very clean and no problems. Overall I would definitely recommend staying and will in the future book a Fullers hotel again
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

CHARLOTTE

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved it
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

peter

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
My husband and I had a wonderful stay. Loved the river view and the breakfast. The room was clean and comfortable. The only thing that could improve was the mattress which felt old and sunken.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Felipe

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Exelent Staffs Room Restaurant and Bar
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

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

Bhupinder

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
great hotel, friendly staff and ideal location
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jamie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Enjoyed our stay. Cute property close to everything.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely room and delicious breakfast
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Seyitnur

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

GILLIAN

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

Senem

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Candace

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

Michelle

Travelled with family
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

Lancy

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very good
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

David

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

Louise

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

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

Christina

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good location
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025