Voco Oxford Thames

One for history lovers, this bucolically peaceful riverfront manor house began life in medieval times as the headquarters of the Knights Templar, and opened as a hotel in 2019.

The hotel pairs contemporary furniture and design with exposed brick walls and original beams; it feels slightly mismatched in some places, but works particularly well in the impressive Crusaders Bar and Lounge – ideal for a post-sightseeing cocktail before dinner in the slick Napier restaurant.

The location of the hotel – on the banks of the River Cherwell – is ideal for anyone who wants to explore Oxford, without being right in the centre. The dreaming spires of the city are just a few minutes’ drive away

The hotel has a private jetty, from where you can hire punts or take boat trips, and the river path is a great choice for gentle walks – it’s a lovely hour-long stroll along the river to the city.