The Store

It’s true what they say: Oxford truly does feel like going back in time. Not quite as twee as its rival Cambridge, but certainly as charming, coming for a day trip from London can only be made better by staying overnight. And if you’re doing that, why not stay slap-bang in the middle of it all, eh?

Well, that’s what you’ll get at The Store, a relatively new boutique hotel (from 2024), found inside what was an old Boswell & Co department store on Broad Street, with the city’s best bits right at your fingertips. In a city where the aesthetic, if you will, is delightfully old-school, The Store is a refreshingly modern place to stay – rather unlike the old churches, turrets and oldest university in the country right outside. 

What are the rooms like at The Store?

There are 101 rooms here, which come in Standard, Deluxe, Superior and Suite. And they are, well, rather lovely – thoughtfully designed with a Scandi feel, all deep reds, soft blues and pastel greens with rounded corners and soft furnishings. Oh, and my new favourite treat, Fatso marmalade chocolate, in the mini-bar. 

What you don’t get, if you’re in a high-street facing room, is marvellous bedroom views (I had a view of a McDonald’s and various other chains). But fear not – this is merely an excuse to spend more time at the rooftop bar, where you’ll get old-town Oxford views a-plenty. 

What is the service like at The Store?

These guys know their market – tourists, and lots of them. Meaning many, many people staying here will have never been to Oxford before. Thoughtfully, as soon as you check in, you’ll receive an automated email recommending local, mostly independent, restaurants in the area – including French restaurant and wine bar Pompette, where we had a fabulous dinner. Staff here are more than willing to make dinner reservations and order taxis for you – just ask. There is also a bespoke The Store map, which lists tourist attractions, food spots and the likes, and a staff member kindly walked us through the whole thing before we headed up to our room. 

What is the food like at The Store?

Really rather good – we were lucky enough to be here on a Sunday for Treadwell’s Sunday roast, which was enormous and came with all the trimmings – veg, potatoes, a whopping great Yorkshire, plenty of gravy and even a miso hispi cabbage, which was unexpected but delightful. The chicken was a highlight – incredibly succulent with crispy, flavourful skin. On other days you can tuck into a seasonal set menu between 12-3pm and 5.30-6.30pm (£26.50 for two courses or £31.50 for three), designed to be perfect for pre-theatre eating. The roast, however, should be followed by a long nap in your cosy room upstairs. 

Any other time, opt for their à la carte menu any other time, featuring small plates like smoked cheddar churros and crab arancini (we tried these – they were great), and classic mains, often with a twist – the likes of fish and chips, chicken schnitzel and cheeseburgers. Treadwell is also where you’ll have breakfast, which is classic buffet fare – pastries, jams, cereals, smoothies and perfectly nice coffee from a machine – with a very nice à la carte menu alongside. It’s an optional add-on, and there are plenty of places to try out locally, so if you’re not desperate for the full buffet experience, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you went elsewhere for brunch. 

Treadwell is no fine dining but it’s a friendly, fuss-free all-day spot with genuinely great classic dishes. I didn’t actually see a dedicated children’s menu (then again, I was sans child), but the restaurant feels exceptionally child-friendly thanks to the decor – one wall is covered in tasteful cartoon sketches – and big spacious seating areas. 

What are the bars like at The Store?

You’ve got two bars on offer here: the cocktail bar by the entrance, which has a cracking selection of cocktails, both classic and completely unique – ideal for starting off a fun afternoon or ending a sensibly early evening before teetering up to bed (it closes at 10pm on weekends). But the hotel’s crowning glory is the rooftop bar – I visited in December, which was certainly not the season for it, but if I came back I’d head there whether I was staying over or not. It’s one of the only rooftop bars in Oxford (and, likely good news, not one that gets frequented by students), so you’ll get some of the best views around – with genuinely excellent drinks. 

What are the facilities like at The Store?

The Store’s downstairs spa is undoubtedly one of the hotel’s highlights, featuring a steam room, sauna and thermal relaxation area with four cosy loungers. Here you can book one of the many treatments by either Oskia and Verden – everything from warm oil massages to facials and body scrubs to LED therapies. If you’re after a perfect little Sunday, book the Sunday Ritual package – a one-hour facial or warm oil massage, followed by a Sunday roast at Treadwell. Glorious. There’s also a gym, open 24 hours.

What is the area like around The Store?

Oxford is a pretty small place, but you couldn’t be in a better spot to get out and explore. Your top thing to do, of course, is to walk through the public grounds of the University of Oxford (or pay for a slot to see one of the colleges) – it’s as beautiful as you imagined. It goes without saying you should skip the chain restaurants directly outside. I recommend heading to The Covered Market, a lovely little market and food hall with fresh produce, breakfast, a wine bar and a fantastic bakery, Hamblin Bread, where I had the best sausage roll of my entire life. To while away an afternoon, spend a few hours at the Pitt Rivers Museum, go shopping at the remarkable Objects of Use, and grab a pint at the King’s Arms (it’s a few minutes from the hotel). For more recommendations, check out our guide to the best things to do in Oxford. 

DETAILS

Address: 1-5 Broad Street, OX1 3AG

Closest transport: Oxford Station is a 15-minute walk away

Expect to pay: From around £210 per night

Book now: Click here

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