Luxury Apartment with river views in the city centre
Studio Melissa has use of Folly Bridge House’s funky wet room, which it shares with one other studio. Recently designed like the cabin of a ship, with a quirky stained glass window, you can stand under the shower and spy on the river life below.
What you gain in this studio is the full, tall-ceilinged, big windowed extent of the original Georgian house. The Dutch-born artist Charles Gassner offers a spectacular abstract acrylic painting above the mantel piece. The water theme is maintained by a dazzling pen ink drawing on the southern wall: ‘Currents’ by Paul du Toit.
In Studio Melissa you can sit back in an antique South African stinkwood armchair with cowhide seat and look south and east over the river and footbridge to the pool beyond where canoeists disappear mysteriously into a tunnel in Folly Bridge, emerging far downstream, out of sight. Folly Bridge House has been beautifully restored by a potter and a writer. It has 7 self-contained studio apartments (for more information on the whole house search for follybridgehouse). Each apartment is hung with objects from the owners collection of contemporary paintings, sculptures and ceramics. Each is equipped with the elegant necessities of city living, including fibre optic broadband and flat screen TV. Folly Bridge House strives for an Eco and Fair Trade ethos.
Only ten minutes walk from the High Street, the colleges of Oxford University and the shops, restaurants and cinemas of the New Westgate Centre, Folly Bridge House lets you be in the bright lights in a moment and yet return to the tranquillity of the river.
FBH is perfect for individuals, couples or groups of colleagues, seeking the epicentre of the city but wanting something different. Folly Bridge House caters particularly to visiting academics.
Oxford’s most fashionable riverside restaurant, stands across the courtyard. The Folly offers a discount to our guests. Across the road is the famous old Head of the River Pub.
There is superfast fibre optic broadband, a flatscreen TV/DVD and hairdryer. The latest in ventilation systems removes cooking smells, steam and Oxford’s notorious damp climate from the apartment replacing them with fresh, warmed air from above the trees at a rate of 180 cubic metres per hour.
The studio is furnished with double bed, a round dining table with chairs and a comfortable armchair. The wardrobe has a mirror glass door, a hanging rail, and 3 drawers. It is W50xD60xH236.
Melissa s kitchen is equipped with stainless steel worktop, double induction hob, full-sized undercounter fridge, combination convection oven/microwave/grill and all the elegant necessities of city living.
Clothes washing and drying/ironing facilities are provided on the lower ground floor. Gated parking in front of the house, is available at extra charge.
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Important information
You need to know
Property # 8975525
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
About the area
Oxford
Located on the waterfront, this apartment is in South Oxford, a neighbourhood in Oxford. Oxford Ice Rink and Waterperry Gardens are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit Bicester Village and Covered Market. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Iffley Road Track or Temple Cowley Pools. Power boating and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and hiking nearby.
Does Luxury Apartment with river views in the city centre have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Luxury Apartment with river views in the city centre?
As of 9 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Luxury Apartment with river views in the city centre on 1 June 2026 start from NZ$174, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Luxury Apartment with river views in the city centre pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Luxury Apartment with river views in the city centre?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Luxury Apartment with river views in the city centre?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Luxury Apartment with river views in the city centre?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Luxury Apartment with river views in the city centre located?
Located in South Oxford, this apartment building is within a 5-minute walk of Thames Path and University of Oxford. Thames River and New Theatre Oxford are also within 1 mile (2 km). Oxford Station is 18 minutes by foot.
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
I stayed here over an induction week for work and loved the location on the Thames. The room is a little small and has a shared bathroom, but if you just need a base to sleep in then it’s great. Estera, the housekeeper, was lovely and easy to contact at all times.
Lovely hosts and excellent housekeeping. Beautiful, thoughtful space with eco-friendly amenities and impressive, unique art. Ideally located, gorgeous views. Could not recommend higher.
Caroline M.
Stayed 29 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 August 2023
Hi Caroline, I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay. It was lovely to have you with us.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Maria
1 November 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
What a fantastic place to stay in the centre of Oxford! We stayed in studio Melissa with its double aspect view of the river. How beautiful to wake up to these views in the morning. The shared 'wetroom' was compact but the shower is lovely and the additional heater welcome. The ability to park at the property is a huge bonus.We wouldn't hesitate to book again.
I was studying at Oxford and was unfamiliar with the city but found this gem of a place to stay, Folly Bridge House, which was centrally located. Catriona and her housekeeper were responsive. I would stay there again. I loved having a water view.
Christie D.
Stayed 31 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 August 2022
Thank you for your lovely review. We are passionate about Folly Bridge House so it makes us very happy when our guests have a good time.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Darren W.
10 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, location
Disliked: Check-in, communication
Whilst the room, property and location were amazing, the house keeper was great, kind and considerate, the communication before arrival was really poor. Messages ignored and didn’t know how I was going to access the property until I arrived.
The location of the cozy studio apartment (wet-room bathroom share/outside of the apartment) along the River Thames is perfectly located within 10-20 minutes (walking) to Center Oxford. Everything you would need in the kitchen area is provided and any concern is quickly dealt with in a professional matter by the apartment building staff. Having a laundry area downstairs made my two months stay (last time I stayed for three months) possible. And the internet service was the top reason for me coming back since as a professor I hold online courses with students, and I require the best internet connection between England and the United States. My only suggestion that both Vrbo and apartment building provide a detailed "payment charge/and payment given invoice," needed by my university to reimbursement for the rent paid in full. Normally in the USA, we cannot get reimbursement for rental costs unless we have an official invoice.
Beautiful property in a fabulous location. Highly recommend.
Really enjoyed my stay here, such a great central location. And lovely room.
Amy B.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 October 2021
I'm so glad you had a good time. It means a lot to us. Catriona
About the host
Hosted by Folly Bridge House Manager
I am a writer and photographer and my partner is a potter. Folly Bridge House in hung with artworks and sculptures from our collection of 20th and 21st century art. These days I live just upstream from Oxford on an island in the Thames but I love coming into the city. My passion now, in this era of climate change and global inequality, is to see how far one can make something beautiful and luxurious and at the same time contribute to an environmental and fair trade ethos.
Why they chose this property
Folly Bridge House is in the extraordinary position of being in the historic centre of Oxford, close to the restaurants, the university and shops but you step through the little door in our large wooden gates and you feel in a haven of peace with the calming effect of the river flowing by, the garden and flowers and herbs, which guests are invited to pick. In a minute you are on the Thames National Path walking upstream to the ruins of the nunnery at Godstow or downstream to the Isis Pub and Iffley. You can take a boat to the ancient town of Abingdon or Gerry's Ferry to Port Meadow and the Perch and the Trout Pubs. If shopping, and cinemas and restaurants are more your thing - the new Westgate Centre is a 10 minute walk up the north bank of the river.
What makes this property unique
I had known Folly Bridge House for many years, and never imagined that one day one might be able to live in this historic building with view over one of the oldest parts of Oxford.
At Folly Bridge House we have a Manager Housekeeper and a wonderful team of cleaners. They are regularly available to help with any queries, to offer a cleaning service if you require and to make sure the flowers are always fresh on the landings.
For longer stays ie those who come for the academic term or year, there is the option of not paying if you go away (so long as you have somewhere to store your things).
Languages:
English, French, Russian
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests