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3-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 10:30

The Old Black Horse

Stay at The Old Black Horse, a 17th-century inn in Oxford offering free Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, and easy access to Bodleian Library and Ashmolean Museum.

102 St Clement's St, Oxford OX4 1AR, United Kingdom View on map
7.8/10
Good Based on 189 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Free breakfast Parking Restaurant Airport shuttle
What recent guests emphasize

The Old Black Horse Guest Highlights

Visitors appreciate the blend of historic charm, comfortable accommodations, and friendly service at this 17th-century inn, alongside its convenient location for exploring Oxford.

Guests often praise

  • Spacious, clean, and comfortable rooms with thoughtful upgrades over time
  • Helpful and welcoming staff providing excellent service and local guidance
  • Quality food, especially the highly-rated Indian mixed grill and other pub fare
  • Free parking and good noise insulation despite a lively surrounding area
  • Great location near Cowley Road, Oxford city centre, and popular attractions

Worth knowing

  • The inn is not pet-friendly and does not have a fitness centre or pool
  • Some external noise is noted due to nearby ambulance traffic, but rooms generally insulate well
  • The pub downstairs maintains a relaxed atmosphere and is quieter than many nearby bars
  • Breakfast and Wi-Fi are included, enhancing convenience for guests
  • The venue suits shorter stays, with rooms described as straightforward rather than luxurious

Best for

  • Visitors seeking a historic inn with modern comforts and a welcoming pub atmosphere
  • Travelers wanting easy access to Oxford’s cultural sites and lively neighborhoods
  • Guests looking for good-value accommodation with included parking and breakfast
  • Couples or small families on short breaks exploring Oxford and nearby areas
  • Food lovers interested in authentic Indian cuisine and traditional pub meals
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About this property

Welcome to The Old Black Horse

Located on St Clement's Street in Oxford, The Old Black Horse is a 17th-century coaching inn that offers straightforward rooms with free Wi-Fi and full breakfast included. The property combines the traditional charm of an inn with the convenience of a pub, restaurant, and bar on site, providing a practical base for visitors looking to explore the city.

The accommodation is praised for comfortable, spacious rooms that help reduce noise from the lively street outside, though guests should expect some ambient noise due to nearby ambulance traffic. Free parking and a welcoming atmosphere add to the appeal for those arriving by car. Check-in begins at 15:00, with checkout at 10:30.

The Old Black Horse is set in a vibrant area near the bohemian Cowley Road neighbourhood, known for its diverse eateries and music venues. Notable nearby attractions include the Bodleian Library, Ashmolean Museum, and Christ Church, all within easy reach for cultural sightseeing enthusiasts.

Guest reviews highlight the helpfulness of the staff and the quality of the food, particularly the highly recommended Indian mixed grill. The property tends to attract visitors seeking a casual, no-frills stay with a traditional pub experience, suitable for couples or small groups looking for local character without extensive luxury facilities.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Parking
Restaurant
Airport shuttle
Bar
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Pool
Pet-friendly
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

JW
Joe Wall Mar 23, 2026
10

My family and I stayed at the OBH in late Sep 2023 for five days. We had a great experience. Our room was big enough for the three of us and was very comfortable. The pub downstairs does not get loud even on the weekends. The best part is the free parking. St Clement's street is loud due to the amount of ambulance traffic but the rooms seem to insulate most of the noise. The location is fantastic for walking around Oxford.

DM
David Moss Mar 14, 2026
10

What a lovely place it was to stay here, landlord and staff was absolutely amazing and I stayed in room 13, which was again amazing couldn’t fault it, so spacious and clean. I would highly recommend this place All day long. 5 stars for me. And thanks again for your help with directions into Oxford Centre

MS
Mick Spruce Mar 11, 2026
10

Great little pub stay located close to everything. Quaint rooms but perfectly suitable for a couple of days for one or two guests. Had read complaints about noise but there was little to none out of hours during our three night stay. Friendly staff who are all very helpful and welcoming. Would definitely stay again!

AS
Aman S Mar 04, 2026
10

Stay here last week, the room was amazing very big and spacious, the staff were also very helpful and nice! The food they serve is 10/10, the tandoori mixed grill is just perfect, and is the best I’ve had in Oxford. Would definitely recommend this place to others and stay here again in the future!

EM
Emyr Morris Feb 24, 2026
10

I've stayed here many times over the past thirty years and oh my! As always, a very warm welcome from Pete and his staff. The Tandoori Mixed Grill, Dhal and Garlic Naan that was waiting for us was superb. A lovely selection of lagers and ales to choose from to wash it all down. The room (room 10) was newly refurbished, spotlessly clean, a lovely en-suite with a very functional kitchen area - which was an unexpected bonus. We made good use of the kitchen on our last night to use up the leftovers from our picnic/bbq on the previous day. Lovely beds, not to firm and not too soft. When I first stayed here - approx 30 years ago under the previous owners - the rooms were dated and old fashioned Pete has, over the years, worked very hard to constantly upgrade and upkeep the rooms. I had stayed in this room previously but since then it has been extended, made larger and much better suited for a short break. The OBH is well located, it is at the end of Cowley Road with its wealth of cafes, cinema, restaurants and shops. Just a five minute walk over the Magdalen Bridge, you will find yourself in the city centre. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend staying in the Old Black Horse to anyone. Thank you very much! Diolch yn fawr!

RP
Ravi Parekh Feb 23, 2026
10

Hands down best Indian mixed grill I’ve had in my time. Everything was cooked to perfection. Great atmosphere inside, staff are great and friendly. Would 100% recommend to anyone.

BK
ben kiff Feb 11, 2026
8.0

Decent place to drink around St Clements. A few of the other bars around arent really my type of place and kind of geared towards students but the old black horse is your typical pub and tends to be what I prefer.

BW
B Williams Jan 12, 2026
10

We had a wonderful stay at The Old Black Horse Inn with our two boys! Pete, the owner, went above and beyond, not only during our time at the Inn, but also with thoughtful recommendations beyond it for our family’s time in Wolverhampton for a soccer match. The accommodations were very comfortable, rooms were spacious, beds were comfortable, pricing was great, and the bar downstairs was a perfect touch too! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to watch Liverpool’s opening match for the season there (Pete is also a Liverpool fan, go here for match days, it’s fun!). It was exactly the kind of Inn we had hoped for during our stay in England. The location is fantastic — plenty of restaurants and pubs within walking distance, plus Oxford University and the Botanical Gardens are just a short stroll away. We also found it to be an ideal base for exploring: Puzzlewood, the Cotswolds, and Bourton-on-the-Water were all within about an hour’s drive. Highly recommend The Old Black Horse Inn. If we make our way back to Oxford, England again, we will only stay here. Incredible, incredible hospitality that made our trip in England so memorable.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find The Old Black Horse

Oxford, United Kingdom

Bohemian neighbourhood known for Cowley Road Carnival, global eateries & bands at O2 Academy Oxford.

  • Oxford 29 min Walk
  • St Clements Street (Stop C) 1 min Walk
  • St Clements Street (Stop A) 2 min Walk
  • Heathrow Airport 1 hr Car · 1 hr 23 Transit
  • London Gatwick Airport 1 hr 35 Car · 2 hr 20 Transit
  • London Stansted Airport 1 hr 41 Car · 2 hr 42 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Oxford. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Ashmolean Museum 11,688 reviews

Ashmolean Museum

Beaumont St, Oxford OX1 2PH, United Kingdom

4.7 · Museum
Bodleian Library 1,141 reviews

Bodleian Library

Broad St, Oxford OX1 3BG, United Kingdom

4.6 · Library
Christ Church 1,561 reviews

Christ Church

St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1DP, United Kingdom

4.5 · College
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