Etain O'Carroll
Travel Writer
Etain O’Carroll is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Oxford with a passion for wild places, human stories and how travel affects the world
Hotel Review
Old Parsonage Hotel, Oxford
WHAT WE LOVE...
A favourite with visiting academics and the parents of graduating students, the Old Parsonage has been hosting guests for over 300 years. This 17th-century stone building sits on the edge of the old city, the bells of the parish church of St Giles acting as a backdrop to your stay. Oscar Wilde once took up lodgings here and a touch of his decadence and hedonism remain in the eclectic art collection, deep hues and soft velvets of the ground floor. The guest rooms are more restrained with smart, contemporary design, impeccable, but understated styling, and muted lighting. The central location offers easy access to all the city sights, while free-to-borrow, Dutch-style bikes will get you further afield.
Your expert reviewer
THE DETAILS
Location
You can nip around the corner to Jericho for hip bars and cocktail lounges, live music venues and an arthouse cinema.
The hotel is centrally located with plenty of bars and cafes and the Oxford Canal nearby.
By car: around 1 hour 30 minutes from London or Bristol and just over 3 hours from Manchester. There is free parking at the hotel.
By train: around 50 minutes from London Paddington, 1 hour 20 minutes from Bristol Temple Meads and 2 hours 45 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly. Oxford station is about a 15-minute walk away. thetrainline.com
Style & Character
Popular with couples, visiting diplomats and doting parents of graduates, the intimate feel is suited to discerning adults. We love the clever combination of period detail and contemporary style and the understated luxury of the rooms and suites.
Service & Facilities
We love exploring the city like a student on a classic urban bicycle available to borrow for free from the hotel.
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Private library
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Walled courtyard
- Free-to-borrow bicycles
Rooms
We love the light-filled Junior Suite for its additional space, sumptuous bed, free-standing bath and views of St Giles Church. With the hobbit-height doors, exposed beams and quirky character of the four rooms in the original house, you can easily imagine Wilde here.
Suites, Junior Suites, Superior Deluxe, Deluxe, Classic, Small Double and Accessible Rooms
Facilities include: tea and coffee-making facilities, fresh flowers, smart TV, Wi-Fi, marble bathrooms, Noble Isle toiletries, linen bathrobes
Food & Drink
Afternoon tea here is a treat, served by the fire in winter or on the wisteria-clad terrace in summer. Don't miss the venison loin served with cavolo nero, buttered carrots and spiced quince.
The Parsonage Grill & Bar: one of The Sunday Times' top restaurants in the UK. Bohemian, arty, gentleman's club feel, classic bistro food. Open 7am-10pm. Mains from £17.
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Rooms available from £256 per night
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