County · England
Where to stay in Oxford
Dreaming spires, college quads and a famously walkable centre.
Oxford is the city of dreaming spires, a compact centre of honey-stone colleges, quadrangles and ancient libraries that you can explore entirely on foot. It pairs beautifully with the Cotswolds on the doorstep.
Stay central in one of the city's characterful boutique hotels and walk to the colleges.
The shortlist
Best places to stay in Oxford
Old Bank Hotel
A former bank on Oxford's High Street, now an art-filled boutique hotel with unrivalled views of the dreaming spires.
Old Parsonage Hotel
A 17th-century, ivy-clad house in north Oxford, literary and cosy, with a lovely terrace and roof garden.
Best areas to stay in Oxford
City centre & the High. Steps from the colleges, the Bodleian and the best dining.
North Oxford. Leafy, handsome streets near the University Parks.
Jericho. Independent, lively and close to the canal.
Getting there & around
Train. Frequent trains from London Paddington and Marylebone in around an hour.
Car & transport. Best on foot; the centre is small and walkable.
Car-free. Oxford is ideal car-free: arrive by train and walk, or use park-and-ride if driving.
Frequently asked questions
Where should you stay in Oxford?
Central, near the High Street and colleges, in a characterful boutique hotel so you can walk everywhere.
Is Oxford walkable?
Very. The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot; a car is a hindrance.
Can you combine Oxford with the Cotswolds?
Easily. The Cotswolds begin just north-west of the city, ideal for a two-or-three-night trip.