The Ridings Guest House

3.0 star property
Guesthouse with free parking, near University of Oxford
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Ridings Guest House

Dining
Lobby
Lobby
Double Room, Ensuite
Exterior

Reviews

6.4 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Room service
    Room service
  • Parking included
    Parking included
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
280 Abingdon Road, Oxford, England, OX1 4TA
  • Christ Church Cathedral
    3 min drive
  • Christ Church College
    3 min drive
  • Oxford Town Hall
    4 min drive
  • Oxford (OXF)
    21 min drive

Room options

Double Room, Ensuite

Highlights

TV
Cots/infant beds
Shower/bath combination
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
  • 15 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Twin Room, Ensuite

Highlights

TV
Cots/infant beds
Shower/bath combination
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
  • 12 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

Single Room, Shared Bathroom

Highlights

TV
Cots/infant beds
Hairdryer
Shower/bath combination
Coffee/tea maker
  • 12 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Oxford

At The Ridings Guest House you'll be within just a 15-minute stroll of Thames River and Thames Path. Highlights at this guest house include free in-room WiFi. .This smoke-free guest house offers free WiFi in public areas, a garden and tour/ticket assistance. Additionally, you'll find luggage storage. There's also the convenience of free self parking. .Within a 15-minute drive of this 3-property class South Oxford guest house, attractions include University of Oxford and John Radcliffe Hospital.

What's nearby

  • Christ Church College - 3 min drive - 1.7 km
  • Oxford Castle - 5 min drive - 2.7 km
  • New Theatre Oxford - 5 min drive - 3.0 km
  • University of Oxford - 6 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Bodleian Library - 8 min drive - 4.2 km

Getting around

  • Oxford Station - 10 min drive
  • Heathrow Airport (LHR) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Alchemist - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Isis Farmhouse - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Paperboat Cafe - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪The White House - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪The Fir Tree - ‬4 min drive

About this property

The Ridings Guest House

Guesthouse with free parking, near University of Oxford
As a guest of The Ridings Guest House, you'll find tour/ticket assistance, a garden, and room service (during limited hours). Public spaces have free WiFi. Free self parking is available.

This 3-star Oxford guest house is smoke free.

  • 5 guestrooms or units
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Garden
  • No smoking on site
The Ridings Guest House offers 5 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and a hairdryer. This Oxford guest house provides complimentary wireless Internet access.

Languages

English, French

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free offsite parking
  • Free uncovered self parking on site

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • No housekeeping service
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Garden

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Limited room service

More

  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; check-in end time: 7:30 PM
Late check-in subject to availability

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 7:30 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Barclaycard. Cash is not accepted. 

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.

Property is also known as

Ridings Guest House
Ridings Guest House Oxford
Ridings Oxford
Ridings Guest House Guesthouse Oxford
Ridings Guest House Guesthouse
The Ridings Guest House Oxford
The Ridings Guest House Guesthouse
The Ridings Guest House Guesthouse Oxford

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at The Ridings Guest House?

The Ridings Guest House offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

Is parking available at The Ridings Guest House?

Yep, The Ridings Guest House has a free self car park.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Ridings Guest House?

No, The Ridings Guest House does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Ridings Guest House?

Check-in begins at 2 PM. Check-out time is 10:30 AM.

Are pets allowed at The Ridings Guest House?

No, pets are not allowed.

The Ridings Guest House Reviews

Reviews

6.4
Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 166 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 47 out of 166 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 47 out of 166 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 30 out of 166 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 17 out of 166 reviews" "

7.0/10

Cleanliness

7.0/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

6.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Owner changed property last minute
I can’t actually comment on the Ridings Guest house as I didn’t stay there At 4pm on the day I was due to check in I was phoned by the owner & asked if I would go to their ‘twin guest house’ instead I was texted an alternative address & stayed in a place called White House View instead
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

B

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

6/10 Okay

Miss T

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Staff Helpful but room unappealing...
The staff were very helpful and accommodating as I needed to arrive later than advertised - efforts were made to communicate with me which was greatly appreciated. The bedding and bathroom were clean enough, but the building was a bit seedy, and room was smelly with old carpets and an alarmingly cracked ceiling. On first telephone discussion I had in advance, I was told only continental breakfast was available and included, but on the morning of my stay I was told my tarriff did not include breakfast at all, so information was inconsistent and could be made clearer one way or the other, plus I noticed full breakfast was available - but clearly not for me, so I had the added expense of finding and purchasing breakfast as an extra in the City Centre which I had not been expecting so disappointing.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
great location only a 20 minute walk into Oxford. Pleasant room.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Cassie

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Caroline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfortable and relaxing room
Very welcoming and lovely clean room.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
The house is a satellite and the staff are based at another house nearby so you have to text them to come over. There's parking for three in the front and house does not have a lift. The room was tight but the bathroom was excellent. It's half way between the town centre and the Park and Ride, so there was a lot of walking. Good services in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The owner was friendly and accommodating. Bed was comfortable.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
So sorry to have to leave this review, but our stay was exhausting and uncomfortable from the start. The guy who let us in was polite enough, but that was the last we saw of him. Constant traffic noise, inconsiderate and noisy guests, late at night. Beds extremely squeaky, lumpy, uncomfortable. Bedding dirty, dried food on spread, blood stains on the quilt cover. Towels unwashed, dirty and smelly, which would have been obvious to the management. Shower mouldy and tiles loose, need grouting, hot water tap cold, curtains not well fitting, let in light. Heating sporadic and not individually controlled. No room service, even though it's stated in the literature, no breakfast available either, unless you want to walk 15 minutes down the road to another venue, which wasn't an option for us as my mother has limited mobility. Fridge in the common room was full of mouldy food, 'tea and coffee facilities' consisted of two tea bags, two cups and a kettle. Broken lamp, wall plaster cracked in need of repair, heavy dust on all horizontal surfaces, filthy mirror. TV over head end of single bed was not safety chained to the wall, my mother had to sleep on the mattress on the floor as was fearful of it's robustness - at least it stopped the squeaking portable bed frame. Smoke alarms bleeped constantly, cigarette burns, mould on the net curtains, mould on the window mastic, windows stiff, some with broken handles. Dangerous extension cable to kettle. They did however empty the bins daily.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Definitely recommended. Lovely public rooms downstairs, with comfy sofas, large TV, bookcase, also conservatory to sit in. My room both scrupulously clean, well provided incl kettle etc. and deliciously warm, as was shared bathroom with good power shower. Courteous and helpful welcome from owner, incl. offered to carry in my luggage - not many places still do this! House itself was quiet and peaceful. My room faced Abingdon Road (constant traffic) which doesn't bother me at all, but others might like to know to ask otherwise. Property still undergoing refurbishment on stairs and top floor, so will be even better soon. Beyond the property: bus stop into/from town v nearby, or about 20 mins wallk to Cornmarket. There is parking in front for up to 4 cars. At worst you can park at Redbridge Park & Ride and walk 12 minutes. I had dinner at the Duke of Monmouth a few doors down, really good steak & salad where they catered brilliantly for my allergies. There's also a Tesco Express within walking distance for ordinary food shopping. The Ridings overall: a modest place to stay but has everything you need including cleanliness, and at an excellent price for near-central Oxford.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

8/10 Good

Stefanos

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Position of the hotel and hospitality
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2019

2/10 Terrible

J

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Really hate leaving bad reviews particularly as the main owner who greeted was very pleasant but this had to be my worst guest house experience in a long while. Smoke alarms kept bleeping (low battery voltage?) dreadful mattresses, room bin hadn’t been emptied, shared bathroom dingy, shower head broken, filthy toilet...the list goes on...not great particularly when you have to get up the following morning to give a music recital - I was exhausted! It’s such a shame as this could be a really, really nice place
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018

6/10 Okay

A

Liked: Cleanliness
Walking distance to Oxford but a very basic hotel. This hotel is super basic. The bathroom is shared and had mould in the corner. Fine for a night in a pinch, but just be aware.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
Very disappointed and will not stay again.
The manager was very pleasant however, I booked this guest house for free parking to realise that there are only 3 spaces of which the manager parks in one. First night i was lucky enough to have a call from him when he arrived to move his car. The next night, I return at 8 to find no spaces and had to park on side road. £75 per night, no breakfast, no en-suite and had to park on the road. Don't advertise free parking if you can't deliver. I got a much better hotel for next week in Oxford with Ensuite and breakfast included plus a big car park for just £10 extra per night. Also, breakfast only availabe from 8:30. If you can afford another £10 stay somewhere else.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Don't go there
Disgusting bathroom, no ventilation (scaffolding blocking windows), uncomfortable bed, the feel of a by-the-hour premises and people sleeping in the breakfast area. We left after the first night by 8:30 am. Felt dirty and cheap. But the charges and the misrepresentation on Expedia was most disappointing. Don't go there.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

4/10 Poor

lynsey

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wouldn't stay here again
Nowhere to park on arrival and had to sit outside with hazard lights on until a car moved. Only 3 spaces for a 8 room hotel???? No bath towels or hair dryer in room as expected and had to ring hotel to get them as staff could not be found anywhere. After nipping out for some food we arrived back in our room to the smell of sewage. It was coming up out if the shower drain. The manager came and gave it a quick clean but we spent the night with an awful smell. Couldn't open the windows either, except one a tiny bit (and it was a 27° day) because of scaffolding outside. Surely this is a health and safety risk? Woke up to the continued smell and a shower cubicle full of smelly water with bits in! I managed a quick shower once I got it to drain away but it filled up so quickly again my daughter couldn't shower. To top it all off the bathroom was grubby with brown stains on the wall by the toilet and scum around the shower. There was a damp stain on the bedroom wall too and little holes in the ceiling which made me rather uncomfortable as I can't figure out why they are there. All in all a horrible experience after a very long day that I could have done without. Not impressed at all.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

4/10 Poor

Michael

Disliked: Cleanliness
Good and Bad
Bathroom was disgusting - mould, sink plugged, toilet often impossible to flush. Rest of the place was ok,
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

6/10 Okay

Tamara

Ok
As another guest stated, one night was enough. You must pay extra for breakfast, but there was a spot to park. It’s about 25 minutes to Christchurch College. Very basic, but good nights sleep.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Dinah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
The guest house was easy to find and access was fine as I communicated with them in advance. The house is on a busy street and 30 min walk to downtown-driving is virtually impossible due to a severe lack parking. The room was very dated although it seemed clean . The bed was ok but not great. There is scaffolding on the building and workers were there by 7:30am on a Saturday.The owner did allow me to park there until 2:00pm on departure day.
Stayed 1 night in May 2018

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We did not end up staying at this hotel as all the windows were blocked by scaffolding, There was black mold around the window and in the bathroom. We requested a refund due to unsafe conditions. Requested a refund and asked for Expedia to assist with this, however to date have received nothing and no communication from Expedia. Can not believe a building that is unsafe to stay in is able to advertise on Expedia
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2018