Old Bank Hotel

Slap bang in the centre of Oxford, on the buzzy High Street, the Old Bank is an absolute gem – a former Barclays Bank converted into a 42-room luxury boutique hotel.

The spacious, light rooms, lively Quod restaurant and contemporary art on the walls are all winning points, but the real X-factor is the location; most of Oxford’s highlights – the Bodleian, Ashmolean and the world-famous colleges are all just outside the door.

Once you’ve seen the sights, retire to the Old Bank’s wonderful library lounge, which opens out onto the pretty Italianate terrace.