5 Areas & Hotels W. Price (2024)

Hope you’re ready for an unforgettable trip to this magical city that’s known for its famous university and so much more! Get a cup of tea and let’s start this guide on where to stay in Oxford.

I visited Oxford a couple of times while I was living in the UK and loved exploring it and uncovering its secrets, which I’ll be sharing with you in this post. Along with a list of the top areas and hotels in town, for all budgets.

In short, the City Center is the best area to stay in Oxford as that’s where you’ll find some of the best attractions, but if that’s not your scene, you can also check out the other 4 areas I included below. 

Definitely book your hotels here in advance as this is a major tourist destination and it’s better to secure your spot early.

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Take a moment to check this list of the best accommodations where to stay in Oxford! All of them are located in the City Center:

Here’s a map of all the areas where to stay in Oxford that I will be talking about in this post:

1. City Center – where to stay in Oxford for the first time

Are you ready to explore Oxford and its superb streets that are lined up with Gothic and Baroque buildings?

There’s no better place to stay in Oxford than the City Centre, where you’ll find some of the most important attractions in town, restaurants, cafes and markets! 

The atmosphere in this area is so incredible, it feels as if time stood still! Everything seemed so magical the last time I was here and although there were a lot of people around, there was a sort of quietness that was roaming around. 

Some of the most iconic sites here are all the College buildings of Oxford University, the Ashmolean Museum, the Bodleian Library (where some of the Harry Potter movie scenes were filmed), the Carfax Tower and the History of Science Museum.

You should also head to The Covered Market (map) for some coffee and baked goods. Here you’ll find tons of artisan grocers, cafes and clothing stands. 

This area is also packed with some cool souvenir shops from where you can buy some fab things like Scriptum (map), an old-school stationery shop and Alice’s Shop (map) a place that sells Alice in Wonderland things (Lewis Caroll, the author of the iconic book who studied at Oxford University). If you want to learn more about the city, its rich history and some of the other iconic people who went to university here like J.R.R Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, you can join one of the walking tours, like this tour that I found that’s led by an Oxford alumni!

Other accommodation options in City Center

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The City Centre is for sure one of the best areas where to stay in Oxford so if you’re looking for more hotels here (in case the ones above are sold out), here’s a short list:

• The Randolph Hotel Oxford ($$$) – such a gorgeous hotel set opposite the Ashmolean Museum, this luxurious hotel comes with 2 restaurants and a spa center.
• Courtyard by Marriott ($$$) – a modern hotel that has an on-site restaurant, a bar and a cool rooftop terrace.
• Old Parsonage Hotel ($$$) – fancy staying in a building from the 1600s? This is one of the best boutique hotels in the City Centre that offers a restaurant and a bar.
• Malmaison Oxford ($$$) – ever wanted to stay in a former Victorian prison? Well, this is your chance, this hotel has stylish rooms and a restaurant. 
• Head of the River ($$) – set on the banks of the River Thames, this hotel has family rooms with comfortable beds and stylish decor and a restaurant.

Things to do in Oxford City Center

• Visit the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
• Admire the architecture of the Christ Church College building
• Join a walking tour of Oxford 
• Learn new things at the Oxford Castle & Prison
• Check out the collections at History of Science Museum
• Shop for local products at The Covered Market
• Attend a music recital at The Sheldonian Theatre
• Explore around the stunning Christ Church Cathedral (map)

2. Jericho & Park Town – trendiest areas in Oxford

Set a 20 min walk away from Oxford, these 2 areas are some of the trendiest places to stay in Oxford! I grouped them together since they share sort of the same vibe and are set next to each other.

Their residential-bohemian vibe, gorgeous houses with Victorian and Georgian architecture will make you fall in love with them and basically want to move here ASAP (at least that’s how I felt).

I’d recommend this area to those of you who’ve been to Oxford before or those who don’t want to stay in the City Centre where all the crowds and attractions are. Plus you can easily get to all the attractions on foot. 

There are tons of chic cafes around here, as well as restaurants and cute streets that will make you feel as if you’ve landed in a period drama Tv series. 
Make sure you hit the Old Bookbinders Ale House (map) for a pint after exploring the town, The Jericho Cafe (map) for some yummy coffee or tea to start your day and Brasserie Blanc (map) for a delicious French dinner! Most of these are located on Walton Street (map) where you’ll also find some other dining spots.

Other accommodation options in Jericho & Park Town

Things to do in Jericho & Park Town

• Walk around the areas & admire the architecture 
• Start your day with coffee at The Jericho Cafe
• Explore the University Parks (map)
• Grab a drink at Old Bookbinders Ale House
• Stop by the J.R.R. Tolkien Bench (map)
• Enjoy a yummy dinner at Gees Restaurant & Bar (map)

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3. Summertown – best place to stay in Oxford for nature

Yes, yes, we know that Oxford is full of history and iconic buildings but let’s not forget that this relatively small city is also surrounded by nature!

I think that’s what made me fall in love with it! 

The fact that even if you’re in a city, you don’t feel that it’s too crowded or too polluted! Everyone looks so calm, serene, and happy!

If you’re not a fan of staying in central Oxford and want to experience its other aspects, I recommend finding a hotel in Summertown. The area sits only a 20 min bus drive away from Oxford City Centre so you can visit it anytime you want. 

This is a great location for people who want to spend more time outdoors! Summertown has many parks and green areas, like the Port Meadow Nature Preserve (map).You’ll also find some restaurants in the area like The Oxford Kitchen (map) and there’s also Gail’s Bakery (map) where you can indulge in some delicious baked goods.

Other accommodation options in Summertown

Things to do in Summertown

• Have a drink at Dewdrop pub (map)
• Enjoy a day in the outdoors at Port Meadow 
• Take the bus and visit Oxford City Centre
• Start your day with a French breakfast at Pompette (map)
• Check out the stores on the high street of Summertown 

4. Osney – where to stay in Oxford near the train station

Planning to visit other places in the UK during your trip?

Then this area is for sure one of the best places to stay in Oxford, England for you! Why?

Well, if you book your hotel here, you’ll only need to walk for 5-10 min to reach the train station (map)! This means you can quickly hop on a train and head to London which is only a 1h 30 min train ride away so you can take a fun day trip there.

You could also visit Bath or Bristol which are around a 1h train ride away. And let’s not forget the famous town of Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, which you can reach in 1h 30 min. 

Plus the City Centre is not too far either, only a 15 min walk away. 

Osney is a pretty small neighborhood but is conveniently located near the 2 main things that most travelers want to have nearby: the central area and train station. However, before you run straight to your favorite places in town, make sure to explore Osney for a bit.

Mingle with the locals, cross the famous Osney bridge (map) and visit the Old Power Station (map) a historical landmark that first opened in 1892 and served as Oxford’s first electrical power plant. 

Other accommodation options in Osney

Things to do in Osney 

• Visit The Old Power Station
• Go for drinks at Holly Bush pub (map)
• Enjoy the views of River Thames
• Take a day trip to London or Stratford-upon-Avon
• Have a delicious lunch at The Punter (map)

5. South Oxford – best place to stay for budget

Traveling on a budget? Or maybe you’ve been to Oxford before and you’d like to explore and stay in other areas. 

Then you might consider South Oxford, which is set around 2 km (1 mile) away. But I’d recommend staying in the area closer to the City Centre, since South Oxford is pretty big and it stretches out.

South Oxford is mostly made of green spots and gardens (my favorite), so if you like exploring the great outdoors, then this neighborhood is one of best places to stay in Oxford UK for you.

What’s great about this city is that you can easily reach the main sites either by walking or taking the bus no matter where you’ll stay. South Oxford may not have trendy restaurants, but it sure has lots of spots that are worth exploring. 

The park area near River Thames is perfect for picnics and long walks! If you’re traveling in July, you might catch the Cowley Road Carnival that takes place in Southeast Oxford, every year in September (the month may change, so check their website for updates)! 

Let’s check the best cheap hotels that you can get for a bargain price in South Oxford:

Other accommodation options in South Oxford

Things to do in South Oxford

• Explore the Queen’s College Recreation Ground (map)
• Enjoy dinner at the Folly Restaurant (map)
• Admire the views of River Thames 
• Attend the Cowley Road festival 
• Go for a walk in the Christ Church Meadow (map)

FAQs about where to stay in Oxford

🤔 Is Oxford a nice place to stay?

Yes, Oxford is a stunning town! Home to the famous Oxford University plus many other unique attractions like the Ashmolean Museum, this city will offer you an incredible experience! 

🔝 What is the best area of Oxford?

The City Centre is the best area to stay in Oxford! The area hosts the main attractions (like Oxford University), the best restaurants, and unique luxury hotels like Old Bank Hotel. 

❓ Who owns the Randolph Hotel Oxford?

Graduate Hotels, an American chain of hotels owns at the moment, the famous Randolph hotel. 

🏨 Which are the best hotels in Oxford City Centre?

⏳ How long should I stay in Oxford?

I’d recommend spending between 2 to 3 days, maybe even 4 if you want to take a day trip.

🚶 Is Oxford a walkable city?

Yes, Oxford is a super walkable city! It is not only pedestrian-friendly but also bike-friendly.

🏨 What are the best places to stay near Oxford?

Final thoughts on where to stay in Oxford

What a place! I’m sure you’ll have fun visiting Oxford and want to go back here!

I hope this post and my insider tips helped you decide where to stay in Oxford, England and which hotel to pick. 

The list of Oxford hotels is pretty long and I know better than anyone how hard it is to pick your favorite. So here are my top-rated 2 favorite options, both located in the City Centre: 

If I were you I would book my hotel a few months in advance. As I mentioned, tourists from all over the world come to visit this historic city and the accommodations sell out super fast!

Enjoy your holiday in this magical town! 

Safe travels, 

Victoria

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