Old Parsonage Hotel

The Old Parsonage is an independent five-star hotel owned by Jeremy Mogford, the restaurateur and art collector who also owns the Old Bank Hotel.

Prior to being converted to a boutique hotel, the rooms in this 17th-century building were let to university students and Oscar Wilde is known to have stayed here in the 19th-century. The building was never actually a parsonage, although there was a parsonage on the same site in the 14th century.

The reception area is welcoming and features a large stone fireplace.

The hotels 35 air-conditioned guest bedrooms include comfortable beds, a work desk, flatscreen television, Bluetooth DAB radio, a minibar with complimentary mineral water, fresh flowers and an en-suite bathroom with walk-in showers, underfloor heating and bathrobes.

Two of the ground floor rooms are adapted for guests with wheelchairs and these rooms feature Nespresso coffee machines.

Suites are larger with separate living and sleeping areas and also feature Nespresso coffee machines and extra TVs.

Free Wi-Fi wireless internet access is available throughout the hotel

There is a library on the first floor for the exclusive use of guests, which opens onto a small terrace. The library has a collection of books (curated by Philip Blackwell) that include books about Oxford as well as books on art, culture, food and politics, among other topics. The library has comfortable sofas and it is a lovely spot to relax with a book on a rainy day.

As it is a small hotel in a historic building there is no lift so disabled guests are not able to enjoy the library upstairs.

The Parsonage Bar and Grill has an excellent bistro-style menu that focuses on a modern take on British classics overseen by its chef, Allan McLaughlin. The main dining room has an agreeable clubby feel with original art on the walls and a warm log fire in the bar area and there is also an outdoor dining area that is lovely on a sunny day. There is an excellent breakfast menu but it is not included in the standard room rate. The hotel restaurant also does a great afternoon tea and it is known for its Sunday roast lunch.

Guests have free use of bicycles, which is the perfect way to explore Oxford. The hotel also runs its own free walking tours of Oxford using the hotel’s own in-house guide.

Because it is such a small and intimate hotel with attentive staff and extensive lounge areas (the bar, restaurant and library) and original art hanging on the walls, the Old Parsonage has a real clubby feel. It is just like staying at an exclusive club, something that the average person would not normally be able to experience.

It is an expensive hotel, but Oxford is an expensive city and you’ll pay a lot to stay at any of the better hotels near the city centre. If you’re paying a lot anyway, you may as well pay a little more to stay at one of the best.

Although not right in the heart of Oxford, the location is perfect in many ways. It is just a short walk to most of Oxford’s top sights but hidden from the hustle and bustle of the tourist centre.

The hotel is just north of the city centre near Keble College. It is a 10-minute walk to Carfax Tower and the heart of the city centre. The Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum are both a five-minute walk from the hotel, the Ashmolean Museum is a seven-minute walk and the main tourist area of the University of Oxford (where you can find the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin) is a 10-minute walk.

The hotel has free on-site parking, but space is limited. If parking is important it is best to call in advance to reserve a spot.