The Crown And Thistle

The Crown And Thistle descritpion

In the center of Abingdon, The Crown and Thistle offers luxurious rooms with private bathrooms alongside its impressive restaurant and bar. This renovated Oxfordshire traveler's inn also provides free on-site parking and free Wi-Fi.
Each air-conditioned room includes a private bathroom, some featuring a decadent roll-top bathtub and all with complimentary toiletries. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, iPod dock, mini-bar, unlimited Wi-Fi and tea and coffee facilities.
The Crown and Thistle offers a full English breakfast each morning. The restaurant serves an extensive menu of classic British and Mediterranean dishes, along with tempting desserts and a children’s selection.
Abingdon is a 15-20 minute drive from both Oxford and Didcot, and offers walks by the Thames River in its town parks and at picturesque St. Helen’s Wharf. Blenheim Palace in Woodstock is just over 15 miles away, with Cotswolds destinations including Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water within a 40-50 minute drive.

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Facilities of The Crown And Thistle

Outdoors ：Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Activities ：Entertainment Staff | Evening Entertainment

Food & Drink ：Bar | Breakfast in the Room | Restaurant with Dining Menu

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Languages Spoken ：Italian | English

Reviews for The Crown And Thistle

Review 1：Lovely rooms, wonderful staff, fantastic breakfast. So convenient for a visit to Abingdon (or Oxford since the bus to Oxford is about a 2 min walk away).

Review 2：The room could have done with Brighter lighting..as it was a darkly painted room as well.! And maybe a large dressing room mirror

Review 3：Liked the location..and the hotel's quirkyNess.!

Review 4：No warning about the one way system and that we would need a map to find the hotel car park before setting off. The map needs to be on the booking advice. Confusion re who ordered breakfast 1st. 3 people ate and left before ours came and we ordered before they arrived! Perhaps that's part of the charm.

Review 5：Great room and facilities. Quite a climb to 2nd floor, we are over 60.(but that is not hotel's fault - need to go to gym) Breakfast quality great. The function room and service for the birthday bash was just fantastic - staff amazing and supportive, always there.

Review 6：The only downside was out bed: found it very uncomfortable and couldn't sleep well!

Review 7：Like the atmosphere of the building, everything was clean! Food excellent , staff very nice and professional!

Review 8：My "Executive" Room was half the size of a standard room. The only clothes storage space was a deep corner cupboard. No drawers at alL Lighting was dingy.

Review 9：the food and bar service were excellent

Review 10：Thoughtful and tasteful redecoration of a wonderful building. Food was of the highest quality, some of the best we've had in a venue of this type.

Review 11：Damp patch in bedroom. Noisy generator/air conditioner outside window - sounded like a train all night. No safe in room. Lighting in room very poor. Heating inadequate. Car park very small and tight

Review 12：Lovely food

Review 13：Very small room compared to last visit. Given a room on top floor which was nice but only had a shower so asked if there was a room with a bath ... Big mistake! Moved to the back of the hotel with obscured glass as view was overlooking the air conditioning units which made a terrible noise all night. In need of redecoration ... Rather tatty and obvious water stains on the ceiling ... Very disappointed as a very high price to pay ... Told yes it was expensive by the reception staff ... With a smile on their face ... Not impressed!

Review 14：Good location while visiting family

Review 15：Only one bath towel for two of us, bedside light not working (reported), no heating. A lot of noise from the bar (we could have been warned).

Review 16：It was convenient for what we wanted. We had to miss breakfast one day because we had to go out early. It was suggested we might get some fruit or something to take with us but we didn't see anyone to ask. We had to phone for the night porter to let us out.

Review 17：in the room - impossible network of lamps, light switches, cables disappearing behind furniture and either some of them didn't work or a bulb had blown, overall result was that room was dark and some of the sockets didn't appear any use for chargers etc

Review 18：great food / bar areas

Review 19：All round excellent service. Room was amazing, clean and so comfortable. Fabulous bathroom. The best thing was I've stayed in hotels before and the rooms are far to hot and the windows do not open, here the windows opened and had aircon in room so temperature was comfortable. I will definitely stay here again when visiting friends.

Review 20：The taxi driver had difficulty getting to the carpark as the official postcode did not show the way there. Only when we left, the local taxi driver told us that he could pick up and drop off on Bridge Road. Also hard to take luggage on cobbled path from the carpark.

Review 21：The staff was very good. When I came to Reception, I asked if I could leave my suitcases there for my son to carry upstairs. They immediately helped me. The same happened when I left. The location was excellent, and the beddings were comfortable.

Review 22：All of it. The staff were lovely and very accommodating, the room was fab , the breakfast excellent and the overall appearance of the hotel was stylish, up to date and comfortable

Review 23：Our room (no 7) was located adjacent to the kitchen extractors and were noisy all evening until the kitchen closed, on discussing this with the woman from reception, once we had tracked her down (there was no permanent staff member looking after reception, they may have been short staffed for the evening) in the bar, she sympathised but there was nothing she could do. We stayed in London the day after and the room was £20 more but the hotel and staff were far, far superior.

Review 24：Nothing at all

Review 25：The room was by far the best place I have ever stayed before. Absolutely beautiful. The staff were friendly and very helpful. Had very high cleaning standards and the variety for breakfast in the morning was brilliant. The lady serving us went above and beyond service. Would highly recommend staying here.

Review 26：The room was cold, not particularly clean, and run down and uncomfy. The price - just for me - for a tiny depressing room - was £139!! Why so expensive I have no idea!

Review 27：The guy working night shift who was really helpful and friendly when I needed an early breakfast because I was running the Abingdon marathon that day

Review 28：I loved this hotel - we had a fantastic room - amazing bath tub in the middle of an anti-room and a four poster bed. The breakfast was also excellent - even accommodating the need for a vegie breakfast.

Review 29：Wine a little overpriced. Room very small though adequate, hence my assessment of value for money. paint needs touching up here and there.keep up the high standards set when first modernised.

Review 30：Quirky hotel, full of character. Stylish modernisation.Comfortable bed, quiet, excellent situation right in centre of town. Friendly staff. Good food in restaurant, excellent breakfast.

Review 31：We had trouble initially finding the designated parking for the B&B and we unfortunately arrived later in the evening and the town was throwing a large carnival, which made it a bit more difficult to navigate. Once we found it, there was plenty of parking. :)

Review 32：Great attention to detail. Loved the mini fridge, tea/coffee set up, bathroom amenities, and room decor. The air conditioner was a welcome change and the bed was very comfortable. We had a large double and my husband and I shared it with our 2 month old baby girl with plenty of room to spare. There was no TV remote and upon calling the front desk, they sent up a spare within a minute or two. Excellent service! Bartender was well-versed and informed (even of the drinks he wasn't particularly fond of). Food was delicious. We had to leave the B&B by 6:30am and the night manager and staff was phenomenally helpful and even provided us with tea and freshly made (delicious!!!) croissants. They were amazing! Props to the pastry chef! Overall - great room, great food, great service! Even my husband (who hates to travel) wants to come back to stay here again. Highly recommend.

Review 33：Receptionist who 'gave' us an upgrade without asking. Would have been nice, but extra cost slipped on to bill without checking with us. Naughty!

Review 34：Beautiful atmospheric room, really quirky and a rolled top bath.

Review 35：The room could do with a plug socket near the full length mirror as we had to move furniture in order for me to dry my hair in front of it.

Review 36：We stayed in the bridal suite and it was lovely. The bed was comfortable and we had everything we needed.

Review 37：being tired , weary and some bad weather , tried to relax in the room ,but was thwarted due to lack of furniture. only one chair , executive room !!

Review 38：English breakfast

Review 39：Very friendly staff at reception and breakfast.accommodated our muddy walking shoes and transfered luggage withoout any fuss. Room was very nice.very relaxing.

Review 40：Being in the town and within walking distance of the venue chosen for a friend's 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration meal meant we did not have to use our car during our 2 night stay.

Review 41：Too little cereal choice at breakfast

Review 42：I liked the coffee in the room. And the complimentary things in the room. Also i like the staff, they were helpful.

Review 43：In the restaurant they were limited on staff, in the mornings there only seemed to be 1 person taking your order, bringing over your food, cleaning the tables. They seemed to very busy rushing around, that customer service dropped a bit, just general chit chat and acknowledgement of you staying at the hotel.

Review 44：Really like the history of the hotel, and the decor. The staff in reception were very nice and helpful. Having the Thames a stones throw is a bonus too, day trips on the boats, and some nice walks.

Review 45：If I were forced to think of a negative , all I could say say was there was no milk for our in room for coffee. But the inclusive breakfast, more than made up for this!!

Review 46：The whole concept and it's history!

Review 47：Had to order room service through an app that didn't work. The room was tiny. The internet was terrible. My room looked out into the pub courtyard, which was noisy. No body gave me a menu or asked what I'd like for breakfast and I was generally ignored.

Review 48：Comfy bed.

Review 49：No bad experiences at all.

Review 50：Beautifully renovated old coaching inn, with a lot of thought to detail. Bedroom and bathroom were tastefully furnished. The free water was very welcome.

Review 51：Small bathroom/shower. Iron but no ironing board. No everyday tea only Earl Grey and fruit. No skimmed milk only whole.

Review 52：Staff friendly. Good breakfast. Clean. Good mattress, pillows and sheets.

Review 53：I would have liked to know there was a wedding. The hotel is small and wraps around a courtyard, which in itself is lovely. However, the wedding guests were very loud, outside in courtyard, and kept me awake for hours, almost spoiling my weekend away. I do not think it would have mattered what room you were in, you would have heard it all. I would have chosen another hotel, if I had known.

Review 54：The room was small, but lovely

Review 55：on arrival the receptionist could not find our booking but this was quickly sorted out once I produced my print out confirmation booking

Review 56：The location,close to River Thames.Well appointed room with air con.Excellent food in restaurent and a really good freshly cooked breakfast.

Review 57：Food was overall good but steak was over cooked. Asked for rare the first bit was medium and went to well done. Everything else was great.

Review 58：Nice welcome great room , enjoyed upgrade of bath. Courtyard was lovely, helpful with partners gluten free /dairy free diet.

Review 59：Complaint about restaurant service fobbed off

Review 60：Hotel stay great breakfast in restaurant Appalling rude staff rolling eyes while taking order Slow (1hour 30mins ) for breakfast Staff passing boiling hot water over baby in a high hair just one of the shocking parts of service Hotel reception happy to acknowledge complaint but not really prepared to do anything to encourage us to return to the hotel

Review 61：breakfast service was very poor, food came cold or lukewarm, staff wear very unprofessional and rude ! also felt my complaint about staff was brushed aside

Review 62：the rooms were perfect and hotel staff were good. everything was nice a clean in the living quarters

Review 63：Unpleasant maître d'hotel,Jeremy Arnold, who when we complained about waiting 35-40 minutes for our meal was intent on a personal confrontation, and told us we were free to go elsewhere. Unfortunately, when the meal was served it was unedible (toast burned hard, and egg and fish not fresh), so we left and ate elsewhere. But this was the only bad experience of our 3-day stay.

Review 64：Most staff pleasant, helpful and efficient. A special mention for Roumanian waitress, Elena, who was rapid, cheerful and even remembered our breakfast preferences from day one on.

Review 65：easy access to the hotel rooms from entrances other than the main reception, making us feel vulnerable to people coming in off the street

Review 66：Staff Buildings Parking

Review 67：Restaurant overpriced and portions small. Trying to be too upmarket trendy. Food lovely but main courses especially small - asparagus meant two spears!

Review 68：Character hotel and room

Review 69：It was a pity that there was no lift, as I am disabled, but they were happy to recharge my mobility scooter in their bar overnight. At first it was a bit difficult finding my way to their car park.

Review 70：Being able to have a cooked-to-order breakfast at any time during the morning, so removing the pressure to get up in time for breakfast.

Review 71：I loved everything about it.

Review 72：Good location, excellent breakfast, wonderful reception. There was a problem with the reservation, I booked it for 1 adult and 2 children but on their records it came up as 1 adult. The lady at the reception got a spare bed in the room and didnt even charge for the extra breakfast. It was my birthday so I felt it was really kind on her behalf. The water in the rooms is excellent quality :-) I would recommend it to anyone!

Review 73：No bad experience but hotel quality let down by broken taps on first night (couldn't use the bath) and very dirty windows (outside) on second night - room 11. I

Review 74：Close to the town centre and close to the river for late evening and early morning walks.

Review 75：Found bathroom taps difficult to turn off and therefore difficulty in operating shower

Review 76：Bedroom and bathroom, good facilities in both. Service good and staff friendly. Plenty of gluten free options on menus but toast was very burnt at supper. Lovely large bath towels!

Review 77：The stairs were very narrow and not good for carting your luggage up and down we were on the top floor we did have help on arrival but not departure

Review 78：The room , breakfast and staff were exerlent

Review 79：everything was fantastic, but they didnt have any tissues in the room which I found odd as they had everything else including a sewing kit, emery board and shoe shine kit! but no tissues!

Review 80：I really loved this hotel. The room was beautiful and had a great bathroom with a huge bath and fantastic shower. It overlooked a quaint courtyard, the food in the resturant was fantastic and the service amazing. The waitress told us how to catch the bus to oxford brought us the weather map over and couldnt be more helpful. I was doing the themes walk with my mum , it was right on the path and by far the best hotel we stayed at so far.

Review 81：I changed from a single occupancy double room to a twin but this was not updated and we had a double bed with a fold out temporary bed option. We shared the double bed as the fold out was not comfortable. We had to wait an hour for breakfast on the sunday morning. We think the waiter forgot to put our order in.

Review 82：Staff were so helpful and hotel was charming, comfortable and well located

Review 83：My only gripe ,(apart from the bar prices!) Was that all the rooms are up steep and winding staircases and there's no lift. I can see how difficult this might be to provide but I think the hotel should come with a warning to those who have difficulty with stairs.

Review 84：Travelling with my aged mum, it was fantastic to find such a well equipped twin room. The beds were very comfy and we were delighted with the array of different lighting arrangements possible, the mini fridge, the TV etc. Breakfast was delicious and the service brilliant.

Review 85：Rooms were very small Overpriced (but prices are in line with other hotels in the area)

Review 86：Cleanliness Character Proximity to town Very good customer service Nice environment for breakfast

Review 87：Size of some of our 'standard double rooms' Shower may be difficult to use for an older person

Review 88：English breakfast (included in room rate) Comfort of the bed Location (very near of Thames river)

Review 89：Dust on the back of the tv and an ill placed toilet roll holder. But just niggles.

Review 90：The fresh milk and fresh ground coffee made a welcome change. The layout was quirky, attention to detail was spot on. Great atmosphere and great staff and food.

Review 91：Wish there were some tissues (Kleenex) somewhere in the room and the bathroom! Found drinks at the bar too pricey! Despite being a lovely place to stay, found the overall price was a bit too high. Quite difficult to find the hotel's (free) car park (hidden at the back)!

Review 92：Lovely room and the bathroom - spotless and with a character. Very spacious. VERY comfortable bed, It was a really cosy atmosphere in the room. Really liked the beams and the decor of the room. Lovely restaurant, and very friendly hotel staff.

Review 93：Not much there were incidents I could niggle over but I would be really nit picking and the atmosphere more than made up for them

Review 94：The lovely bed, staff, setting. Food was varied and gorgeous

Review 95：Nowhere to put anything in the bathroom. Had a steak roll in the bar first day and we were both ill afterwards (stomach cramps, nausea). Spoilt our stay. Breakfast waitress did not understand what we were saying and service very slow.

Review 96：Comfy bed, fresh coffee in room, everything you need for a short break.

Review 97：More detailed parking instructions beforehand would be helpful particularly for those arriving from the south across the bridge and confronted with so many decisions to make. For my part I parked my car free on a Sunday evening and walked to the hotel to find out where and how I could take my car and luggage to the hotel car park. A member of staff couldn't have been more helpful and I retraced my steps and parked within minutes. At a busier time and with families and friends involved I am sure that instructions and a detailed map regarding access to the carpark would be much appreciated.. One observation about the basic and inclusive continental breakfast that was presented on the table when I arrived offered various packaged cerials, fruit juice and yogurts as expected with one remaining croissant that disappeared and was not replaced . I did wonder at this point what else was on offer - should I stick with the continental breakfast -not knowing what else may be available ;would recommend providing details at the table - ie toast ? pastries ?fruit ? I really missed not having fruit as an option. My cooked option at an additional cost was excellent.

Review 98：The charm ,ambience generally of an old building with all of its history as well as appreciating many aspects of the recent conversion and overall design. The room could not be faulted in any respect. Wonderful shower, comfortable bed and so many details that were very much appreciated. Sheer luxury Service friendly attentive and professional Restaurant supper and breakfast were delicious and service excellent

Review 99：Windows cannot completely be opened due to security reasons. Some rooms face the ventilation of the kitchen (noise and smell).

Review 100：Nice large rain-like shower and cool bathroom. Good beds. Clean. Friendly staff. Good breakfast.

Review 101：Stayed for two nights but housekeeping didn't stock up toiletries or coffee, tea an d milk. Only a minor niggle.

Review 102：Comfy and quirky room, with plenty of room. Great location.

Review 103：On a saturday night with our room above the street it was quite noisy. Also there was a scratching/scrapping in the roof.

Review 104：Really nice room in a great location, dinner and breakfast in the restaurant were both great. Some of the lovely original features are retained in the decor but a recent refurbishment meant everything felt clean and new.

Review 105：Difficult to find anything wrong.

Review 106：The room was amazing and friendliness of the staff was superb. The food in the restaurant was fantastic and huge choice for breakfast. Highly recommended.

Review 107：The room was beautiful and felt luxurious. Bed was super comfy and really enjoyed the food. Highly recommend for a couples weekend. Will definitely be going back.

Review 108：None

Review 109：We liked the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff and the general ambience of the hotel. We enjoyed both breakfast and dinner and thought the quality of the food was excellent (much better than in its Chef and Brewer days)

Review 110：Beware the cobbles in the courtyard if wearing high heels!! Armchair or sofa in the room would make it perfect!!

Review 111：Helpful staff. Lovely room(6) the bridal suite apparently- brilliant shower in en- suite plus bath in the room! Best cooked breakfast we've had in a hotel - perfect poached eggs.

Review 112：Nothing. Will definitely stay again if in the area.

Review 113：This former coaching hotel has been sympathetically and nicely refurbished to modern standards. Bedroom was quiet and comfortable with mini bar/fridge and nice coffee and real milk. The staff are very attentive and helpful. Breakfast was very good.

Review 114：Rather a lot of steep stairs.

Review 115：Quiet room on upper floor. Good buffet breakfast and good evening restaurant with friendly waiters. A careful restoration of an old building.

Review 116：I found the map to get us to the car park inadequate. It was very difficult to turn the taps of the bath on and off due to the positioning of the bath. I felt that the crockery and cutlery was the cheapest of the cheap and did not provide for a good experience.It was far too expensive,

Review 117：The hot water in the bath and the quality of the breakfast due to a good chef

Review 118：The wifi didn't work at all while we were there. But it didn't spoil our trip. The wifi in town was poor too. Just a bad place for connection.

Review 119：Loved the hotel as a whole. Great room. Comfy bed. Lovely bathroom. Fantastic food. Great location. Close to Oxford and easy to get to by bus. Enough nightlife for a young at heart 45 years of age couple! Great service.

Review 120：Breakfast was really good, other than the service which was slow given the few customers. No explanation was offered and we wern't asked how our meal was. Room for improvement there.

Review 121：Hotel had a lovely layout and the refurbishment really shows. The room was excellent with a comfy bed and fantastic shower. Not sure I understood some of the other complaints about them being dark. Food and service for the evening meal was first rate.

Review 122：parking not easy to find - ask for sat nav code, and it needs lighting. the building is old with creeky floorboards and rooms are small with noisy aircon and extractor fan

Review 123：The staff are welcoming, and try hard to provide great service. The rooms have extras such as fresh milk and toiletries,

Review 124：Parking is difficult to find so find the directions before traveling

Review 125：Friendly staff Excellent breakfast Recently updated room Central location Old building looks fabulous

Review 126：Nothing really. could have had a clock in the room and some where to sit apart from bed, small settee or something, but room was excellent.

Review 127：The room was great. friendly staff. lovely decor and general atmosphere, walking distance to everything we wanted. Food good. We had a great weekend and we are sure we will be back.

Review 128：my toiletries were not given everyday (but i guess I encounter the same problem with other hotels as well)

Review 129：I love the design the of the room. The room is big and comfortable. the staffs were very nice and helpful. The foods were very good and the town is beautiful and full with nice people.

Review 130：Prices of alcohol meanness of complimentary items, lack of teabags, previously used bath toiletries. Having to ask for butter for toast at breakfast, not enough cutlery at breakfast, poached eggs tasted of vinegar. Very dark room even with all lights on.

Review 131：Location near Thames Path. Good carpark Evening meal good Staff efficient.

Review 132：Noise from road at night was only criticism but it wasn't loud after 12

Review 133：We had a spontaneous one night break and it was fantastic!we had the best meal of our lives and the staff were all exceptional!the only slight criticism was the noise from the road at night but the bed was so comfy it didn't really bother us!amazing stay would highly recommend!

Review 134：The room was very small and cramped......in the bathroom you had to step sideways past the basin to get into the shower........also it was very noisey .....at breakfast I don't eat fried food and asked for beans on toast....they don't have beans....so I asked for scrambled egg on toast which came as a scrambled egg sandwich with no butter on the toast......not a great place to have breakfast...

Review 135：I loved the individuality of each room. Our room's floor sloped so I think our heads were slightly lower than our feet.

Review 136：grear location, staff, building. Sketchy wifi

Review 137：Small room , but was last minute booking and understood to be the last room available. Would go again .

Review 138：Tastefully renovated, full of character. Excellent food.

Review 139：Car park is tricky to get to - get the postcode for it from the hotel before you set off

Review 140：Very clean and comfortable hotel. Good food in the restaurant. A hearty breakfast was included in the price. Good service from Reception and waiting staff.

The Fine Print

Guests should use the ZIP code OX14 3JE to locate the inn's parking lot.