The Head of the River

About The Head of the River

The Head of the River sits at Folly Bridge, where St Aldate's crosses the Thames on the southern edge of the centre. The building was a wharf and warehouse, and the ground floor is still recognisably that - stone floors, exposed brick, a beamed ceiling and the old crane arm still fixed to the wall outside. The terrace runs along the water and is one of the busiest spots in Oxford on a warm evening, with rowing eights going past and punts and boat hire operating from the bank alongside.

The bedrooms are on the two floors above, around twenty of them, and are more restrained than the pub below: plain, comfortable and well kept, with the better ones looking over the river. They are reached by their own entrance and stairs. This is a pub with rooms rather than a hotel, so there is no lift and no room service, and you should expect to hear something of the bar on a Friday and Saturday - ask for a room at the rear if that matters.

Food is Fuller's pub cooking done properly, with a good range of cask beer, and breakfast is included and served downstairs. The position is excellent for walking: Christ Church Meadow starts on the far side of the road, the Botanic Garden and the High Street are ten minutes north, and the Thames path runs south towards Iffley Lock and the Isis Farmhouse. There is a small car park behind the building, which is rare this close to the centre and should be reserved when you book.