🇬🇧 Oxford, United Kingdom
Old Parsonage Hotel
📍 1, Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6NN
Your stay — Old Parsonage Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Oxford.
The Property — Old Parsonage Hotel
The Old Parsonage Hotel is a 17th-century stone building turned boutique hotel, with a literary-lounged bar and a walled garden that feels like a quiet corner of a college. Its lobby mixes original flagstones, armchairs and a working fireplace, giving it the mood of a private members' club for bookish travellers. It suits couples or solo visitors who want a refined, central stay without the formality of a grand hotel — close to the Ashmolean and the Taylorian.
Chronicles of Oxford
Oxford began as a Saxon river crossing, then grew around the University, which took shape from the 12th century. Its architecture spans medieval stone colleges like Merton (1264), through the spires of Christ Church (16th century), to the neoclassical Sheldonian Theatre by Christopher Wren. The city became a centre of the English Civil War and later a symbol of knowledge and debate, still defined by its dreaming spires and the scholarly rhythm of terms.
Best Time to Visit
Full Oxford guide →Best months
May and June are ideal: long daylight, warm but not hot, students gone, gardens in full bloom. September offers good weather after exam season, with fewer tourists.
Peak / festival surge
July and August see the heaviest crowds because of summer holidays and the Oxford Literary Festival in April and July. Hotel prices rise 30–50% above shoulder rates.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the budget sweet spots: cheaper rooms, mild weather, fewer queuers at the Bodleian and colleges, plus autumn colours in October.
Weather & packing
Oxford's July can swing between 14°C and 25°C in a single day, often with a light drizzle. Pack layers always: a thin jumper and a water-resistant jacket.
Live City Briefing — Oxford
- The Westgate Shopping Centre has new dining and a rooftop terrace, but the covered market still has the classic bakeries and cheese stalls.
- Roadworks on the A40 near the city centre may cause delays; use the Park & Ride from Seacourt or Pear Tree.
- The Ashmolean Museum’s major summer exhibition runs through July, so book tickets in advance.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Old Parsonage Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a rear-facing room on the first or second floor. These overlook the walled garden and are furthest from Banbury Road traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms at the front on the ground or first floor. The hotel sits directly on Banbury Road, a main arterial route, so these rooms get constant traffic rumble, especially at rush hour and late-night deliveries.
Best views
Rooms at the back face the garden and the old city wall. Front rooms face Banbury Road — you'll see the university buildings opposite, but also the traffic.
Quietest floors
Second floor (the top floor) is consistently the quietest. Concrete construction and fewer footfall overhead mean less neighbour noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Banbury Road is a dual carriageway with buses, emergency vehicles, and student traffic until late. The hotel bar gets busy with locals on weekends, and the lift (small, vintage) can be clunky near adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1) Parking is limited and expensive — book a space when you reserve, or use the Park & Ride at Thames Street (bus 400 drops you 200 metres away). 2) Ask for a garden-view room when booking; they're quieter and the sun hits the terrace in the afternoon.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Old Parsonage Hotel
Free standard WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; no premium tier. One device login per room, no timeout.
A passenger lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital PressReader access via QR code in room; physical copies of The Times and The Guardian available at reception. The building is a Grade II listed 17th-century parsonage with a castellated tower and original stone staircase.
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag drop available from 07:00. Late check-out until 12:00 free, until 14:00 charged £50, after 14:00 half nightly rate. Weekday front desk 24h, weekend reduced hours after midnight.
Complimentary for day of arrival/departure at reception.
Step-free access via ramped side entrance; one ground-floor accessible room (Room 1) with adapted bathroom. The lift fits standard wheelchairs. No hearing loops.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Worcester Street Car Park (0.3 miles, 5-7 min walk), £18 for 24 hours. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates hold a deposit equal to first night. At check-in, a £50–£100 incidental hold is placed on your card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Mary Magdalen (104 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: St John's Chapel (207 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Balliol College Chapel (224 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: St Michael at the Northgate (224 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Covered Market — 435 m · ~5 min walk
Wellington Square Gardens — 440 m · ~6 min walk
Ashmolean Museum — 87 m · ~1 min walk
Oxford Playhouse — 114 m · ~1 min walk
Forest School — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 93 m · ~1 min walk
Oxwell Pharmacy — 172 m · ~2 min walk
Sainsbury's Local — 124 m · ~2 min walk
Gloucester Green Bus Station — 312 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →British Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or post offices for better rates than airport bureaux; avoid tourist exchange shops in city centre which charge poor margins.
Card and contactless payments are standard everywhere; most venues accept Visa/Mastercard; mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) widely accepted.
10-15% in restaurants is customary if service wasn't included; rounding up for taxis is normal; hotel staff appreciate £1-2 per service, but it's not obligatory.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Chain café coffee (Pret, Starbucks, or local independents) costs £2.50-3.50; supermarket instant coffee is under £1.
Meal deal at supermarkets (sandwich, snack, drink) around £3.50; fish & chips or kebab shops typically £5-7.
Pub main courses or curry house dishes around £8-12; pizza or Chinese takeaway mains £7-10.
Covered Market in city centre (5 mins walk from OX2) has affordable street food stalls; kebab/falafel shops and fish & chips scattered throughout area.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Lidl, and Aldi are common locally; Lidl and Aldi offer the best budget prices.
High Street chains (Primark, Next, Marks & Spencer) in city centre; charity shops on Cowley Road offer very cheap secondhand clothing.
Local buses cost £1.50-2.50 per journey; day bus pass around £4.50; from airport, coach services (Stagecoach) are cheaper than taxis (£12-18 vs £30-50).
Buy a reusable water bottle; Oxford's tap water is excellent and refill stations are common. Walk or cycle most journeys—buses are frequent but walking is often quicker for short distances. Use student/youth discounts at attractions if eligible; many Oxford museums are free.
Good to know — Oxford
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Oxford, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Old Parsonage Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 93 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Oxwell Pharmacy — 172 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →City Centre / Train Station → Bath Place Hotel vicinity (High Street area)
💡 Day Rover ticket (£4.30) covers unlimited local buses. Hotel is walking distance from most central routes.
London Stansted / Gatwick Airport → Bath Place Hotel, Oxford
💡 Pre-book through hotel concierge for best rates. Significantly cheaper than ride-hailing apps during peak hours.
Oxford Train Station / City Centre → Bath Place Hotel, Holywell Street
💡 Short rides within Oxford. Local minicabs often cheaper than Uber. Hotel concierge can arrange reliable local operators.
London Paddington / Marylebone Station → Oxford Railway Station
💡 Most convenient airport access via London terminals. Bath Place Hotel is 10-minute walk from station. Book advance tickets for savings.
About Oxford
Wikipedia ↗
Oxford ( ) is a cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world; it has buildings in every style of English architecture since late Anglo-Saxon. Oxf...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Old Parsonage Hotel?
Request a rear-facing room on the first or second floor. These overlook the walled garden and are furthest from Banbury Road traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Old Parsonage Hotel?
Avoid rooms at the front on the ground or first floor. The hotel sits directly on Banbury Road, a main arterial route, so these rooms get constant traffic rumble, especially at rush hour and late-night deliveries.
Is Old Parsonage Hotel noisy?
Banbury Road is a dual carriageway with buses, emergency vehicles, and student traffic until late. The hotel bar gets busy with locals on weekends, and the lift (small, vintage) can be clunky near adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Old Parsonage Hotel?
Rooms at the back face the garden and the old city wall. Front rooms face Banbury Road — you'll see the university buildings opposite, but also the traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Old Parsonage Hotel?
1) Parking is limited and expensive — book a space when you reserve, or use the Park & Ride at Thames Street (bus 400 drops you 200 metres away). 2) Ask for a garden-view room when booking; they're quieter and the sun hits the terrace in the afternoon.
What time is check-in at Old Parsonage Hotel?
Check-in at Old Parsonage Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Old Parsonage Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free standard WiFi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; no premium tier. One device login per room, no timeout.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Old Parsonage Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Old Parsonage Hotel?
Meal deal at supermarkets (sandwich, snack, drink) around £3.50; fish & chips or kebab shops typically £5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Old Parsonage Hotel?
Local buses cost £1.50-2.50 per journey; day bus pass around £4.50; from airport, coach services (Stagecoach) are cheaper than taxis (£12-18 vs £30-50).
When is the best time to visit Oxford?
May and June are ideal: long daylight, warm but not hot, students gone, gardens in full bloom. September offers good weather after exam season, with fewer tourists.
Top Attractions in Oxford
💡 The free walking tour of the Divinity School (part of the Bodleian) runs on certain days, but you need to book online in advance. Otherwise, just enjoy the square's architecture.
💡 Head to the rooftop cafe for a coffee with views over the city spires. It's often overlooked and much quieter than the main galleries.
💡 Check the live insect display (the 'bug wall') in the Pitt Rivers section attached. Kids love it. No booking needed, but go after 11am to skip school groups.
💡 Entry costs a few pounds, but if you walk through the college grounds to the water meadows at the back, you can access the meadow path for free from the side gate off Longwall Street.
💡 Entry is cheap (£6-7) but free for students with an Oxford University card. Go early on a weekday morning to have the rose garden almost to yourself.