The Old Parsonage Hotel is a small and characterful hotel in a seventeenth-century building at the northern end of St Giles, close to the Ashmolean and the Woodstock Road. It has a long literary reputation, since Oscar Wilde was said to have been a visitor in his student days. The hotel is known for its cosy bar, its terrace behind a stone wall and its stylish rooms, and for being in a quieter part of the centre that is still only a short walk from the main sights.
Location and getting around
The hotel is about ten minutes on foot from Radcliffe Square and five minutes from the Ashmolean and the Eagle and Child area. The Woodstock Road and Banbury Road bus routes run nearby, which is handy for trips to Blenheim by bus. St Giles hosts a big fair in September, so expect noise and crowds if you visit then.
Rooms and facilities
The hotel has fewer than forty rooms, many with period features and a mix of sizes, and the bar and restaurant are a focus of the hotel. The terrace is a pleasant spot in good weather. Rooms in historic buildings can be small or have sloping ceilings, so look at the descriptions. Breakfast is served on site, and the staff are often praised for friendliness.
Who it suits
It suits couples and independent travellers who value character and a small-hotel feel, and who do not need a large hotel's facilities. It is an excellent choice for anyone interested in the literary side of Oxford, since Tolkien and Lewis lived and worked in this part of Oxford. Families may find the rooms limited, and the hotel is not designed for large groups. Book well ahead for summer and graduation weekends.
Dining and atmosphere
The bar is the heart of the hotel, with a clubby feel, dark wood and a menu of cocktails and comfort food, and the walled terrace is a suntrap on warm days. Breakfast is served in the restaurant, and afternoon tea is a pleasant option in cooler weather. The building has many corners and small stairs, so check access if you use a wheelchair or a pushchair.
Some rooms look onto St Giles, which can be lively on weekends, while others face the garden side and are calmer. The hotel is a short walk from Little Clarendon Street and the Woodstock Road, which have cafes, restaurants and bookshops. A stay here pairs well with a morning at the Ashmolean, a walk through the Parks in the afternoon and an evening in the bar with a book from a nearby shop.
Why stay here
- ✓Seventeenth-century building
- ✓Bar and restaurant
- ✓Walled terrace
- ✓Breakfast available
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Near the Ashmolean
- ✓Bus routes nearby
- ✓Small-hotel service
Good questions
Where is the Old Parsonage Hotel?+
It is at the northern end of St Giles, close to the Ashmolean and about ten minutes on foot from Radcliffe Square.
Is it quiet?+
It is quieter than the High Street, though St Giles hosts a large fair in September.
Does it have a restaurant?+
Yes, it has a bar and restaurant, plus a walled terrace for warm days.