🇬🇧 Oxford, United Kingdom
Oxford Backpackers
📍 9a, Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford
Your stay — Oxford Backpackers
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 — Oxford Backpackers
Oxford Backpackers is a no-frills, sociable hostel in a converted Victorian house on Iffley Road. The lobby smells faintly of disinfectant and toast, with couches dotted around a noticeboard covered in job ads and postcards. It is perfectly functional for one night, popular with gap-year travellers and student groups, not a stay for peace or romance. The USP is price: you can roll in late and crash without breaking the bank.
Chronicles of Oxford
Oxford grew around the university from the 12th century, with colleges such as Balliol and Merton laying the template for a town where academia and commerce co-exist. The architecture is a jumble of honey-coloured stone spires, Gothic quadrangles and Victorian red-brick, reflecting centuries of institutional wealth. The city is now a tight knot of historic streets, car pollution and tourist coaches, with a reputation for books, dreaming spires and expensive housing. Contemporary identity is split: global centre for research and biotech, yet small enough to feel provincial.
Best Time to Visit
Full Oxford guide →Best months
May, June, September: warm days (18-22°C), long evenings, fewer tour groups than July-August, and punt tours running.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak, with university graduation ceremonies and summer schools flooding the city. Hotel prices double, and availability for budget beds evaporates. St Giles' Fair (first week of September) adds crowds and noise.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer milder weather (10-15°C), cheaper dorm beds, and you can still visit indoor attractions without queuing.
Weather & packing
Oxford has sudden rain squalls any month, even July. Always carry a waterproof jacket.
Live City Briefing — Oxford
- Park and Ride services have resumed at full capacity after post-pandemic funding cuts; check the Thornhill and Pear Tree sites for free parking and frequent buses.
- The Oxford Transport Strategy has closed High Street to through-traffic on summer weekends until September, so allow extra time for bus diversions.
- Several college gardens (e.g. New College and Magdalen) remain open to the public only until mid-August due to restoration work; check online before visiting.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Oxford Backpackers, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (one flight up) facing the rear courtyard. These rooms are away from Hythe Bridge Street traffic and have more natural light in the morning. The first floor is easily accessible by stairs if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Hythe Bridge Street. These suffer from street noise from early morning delivery vans and bus traffic on the main road into the city centre. Rooms above the ground floor on the street side are also noisy but less so than ground level.
Best views
Limited view – a rear courtyard with some greenery, or a glimpse of the Oxford skyline (spires) from the front upper floors. Street views face a busy road and other buildings.
Quietest floors
First floor and above, particularly rear-facing rooms. The building likely has three floors total (standard for a converted townhouse in this area), so the second floor is also relatively quiet if you don't mind stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
Hythe Bridge Street is a main route into Oxford city centre, with constant traffic from 6am to late evening. Delivery lorries use it early morning. On weekends, students and pub-goers walk past until late. The hotel's immediate area also has nearby railway bridge noise (trains pass frequently).
Insider tips
1. Ask if they offer discounted parking at the nearby Worcester Street car park – the hotel has no on-site parking. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs regardless of room choice – the noise from the city centre and train line is noticeable even in quieter rooms.
- 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 — Oxford Backpackers
Free WiFi throughout; speeds around 10-15 Mbps down—fine for browsing, not for streaming video; login via password given at check-in
No lift; all accommodation on first and second floors accessed by stairs only
No newspaper service; communal lounge has a few travel guides and paperback books
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 10:00; early bag drop allowed (luggage room, free); late check-out fee £10 per hour until 13:00, subject to availability
Free luggage room for day-use or for guests before/after check-in; no long-term storage
No step-free access; entrance has two steps and no ramp; no accessible bathrooms or rooms; unsuitable for wheelchair users
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Worcester Street Car Park (OX1 2BX), £4.60 per hour, £27 for 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; £50 refundable card hold on arrival for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Thomas the Martyr (195 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Nuffield College Chapel (394 m · ~5 min walk)
- Synagogue: Oxford Slager Jewish Student Centre (420 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Worcester College Chapel (449 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Westgate Centre — 658 m · ~8 min walk
Paradise Square Gardens — 587 m · ~7 min walk
Ashmolean Museum — 711 m · ~9 min walk
Old Fire Station Theatre — 449 m · ~6 min walk
Forest School — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 129 m · ~2 min walk
Oxwell Pharmacy — 609 m · ~8 min walk
Sainsbury's Local — 9 m · ~1 min walk
Oxford Railway Station — 215 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid currency exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots as they give poor rates.
Chip-and-PIN cards are standard; contactless and mobile pay widely accepted everywhere including small shops and taxis.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fare, leave 10-15% in restaurants if service charge not added, tip hotel porters £1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or instant from a cafe or chain, around £2.50–3.00.
Sandwich or meal deal from a supermarket or bakery, around £4–6.
Pub main like fish and chips or curry, around £12–15.
Markets and stalls near the station and city centre for wraps, falafel, and pizza slices, £5–8.
Tesco Express, Sainsbury's Local, and Co-op are the budget supermarkets common in this area.
Primark and charity shops on the Cowley Road and city centre for cheap clothes.
Bus day pass about £4.50; from airports, take the Oxford Bus Company Airline services (about £25 from Heathrow) or the cheaper coach (about £18).
Walk or rent a bike instead of using taxis; shop at the Covered Market for lunch rather than tourist traps; look for early-bird or set menu deals at restaurants.
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 Oxford Backpackers
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 129 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Oxwell Pharmacy — 609 m · ~8 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 Oxford Backpackers?
Request a room on the first floor (one flight up) facing the rear courtyard. These rooms are away from Hythe Bridge Street traffic and have more natural light in the morning. The first floor is easily accessible by stairs if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Oxford Backpackers?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Hythe Bridge Street. These suffer from street noise from early morning delivery vans and bus traffic on the main road into the city centre. Rooms above the ground floor on the street side are also noisy but less so than ground level.
Is Oxford Backpackers noisy?
Hythe Bridge Street is a main route into Oxford city centre, with constant traffic from 6am to late evening. Delivery lorries use it early morning. On weekends, students and pub-goers walk past until late. The hotel's immediate area also has nearby railway bridge noise (trains pass frequently).
Which rooms have the best views at Oxford Backpackers?
Limited view – a rear courtyard with some greenery, or a glimpse of the Oxford skyline (spires) from the front upper floors. Street views face a busy road and other buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Oxford Backpackers?
1. Ask if they offer discounted parking at the nearby Worcester Street car park – the hotel has no on-site parking. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs regardless of room choice – the noise from the city centre and train line is noticeable even in quieter rooms.
What time is check-in at Oxford Backpackers?
Check-in at Oxford Backpackers is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Oxford Backpackers have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speeds around 10-15 Mbps down—fine for browsing, not for streaming video; login via password given at check-in
Is there a city or tourist tax at Oxford Backpackers?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Oxford Backpackers?
Sandwich or meal deal from a supermarket or bakery, around £4–6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Oxford Backpackers?
Bus day pass about £4.50; from airports, take the Oxford Bus Company Airline services (about £25 from Heathrow) or the cheaper coach (about £18).
When is the best time to visit Oxford?
May, June, September: warm days (18-22°C), long evenings, fewer tour groups than July-August, and punt tours running.
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.