Overview

This is one of the nicest 5 star hotels we have reviewed for you, a pleasure to be able to have this as our 100th review for Euans guide, and all we can say is instead of taking coffee at one of the usual high Street tat, why not enjoy that ! This is a delight, take our word for it, and when visiting Oxford, do find time to come for a short break to this delightful hotel. There is so much to enjoy that we have had to offer you TWO REVIEWS, PART ONE is to show you the main hotel and all that it offers, while PART TWO will show you the grounds, and a bit about Sandford on Thames itself. It’s history is very interesting, so please enjoy our notes for you. 18 families lived at Sandy Ford, as recorded in the Doomsday book of 1086, and it took many years of slow growth before the area developed. During the mid 1100’s a small church was built on a hill in Sandford. In 1136 the Knights Templars started to gain power and wealth in Oxford when Queen Matilda, wife of King Stephen of England, gave them a Manor in Cowley, Oxford, and they quickly grew to become land owners. Then in 1239 Sir Thomas de Sandford gave land to the Knights Templars, and in 1240 they were given the important Manor at Sandford- on- Thames, and they established this as their headquarters, which they used, to be able to look after their properties and land in Hands and Berkshire, along with their many possessions in Oxford. Sir Thomas also founded St Andrews church, next to the Manor House. In 1307 charges of heresy were then made, and during 1308, they were being suppressed and brought on trial and many knights were then imprisoned. By 1338 most of their possessions had long been lost, and everything else was under the order of the Knights hospitallers. Finally King Henry V111 dissolved the Order of the knights in 1324 and gave their land and properties of Sandford to Sir Thomas Wolsey But he died in 1530, and the Manor passed into Kings hands. In 1542 Edmund Powell bought the lands, and built a new Manor House, and that stayed in the hands of the Powell family until 1760. Much of the later history of the land around Sandford is unknown, although we do know that one previous person who lived in the Sandford area was a priest, George Napier (Napper) who lived here in 1550. He had been born in Holywell, Oxford in 1548, moving with family to Sandford in 1550, and by 1579 he was being educated to become a Catholic priest. Under false accusations, he was arrested near Woodstock, taken to Oxford castle, and condemned to death, to be hung, drawn and quartered. He was executed on November 10th 1610 when 62 years of age. His mutilated quarters were placed at the four gates of Oxford, but his body was secretly buried in the chapel of the Knights Templar in St Andrews church, at Sandford on Thames, Oxford. Following the Powell family, the Manor passed on to the Walter family, and then on to the Duke of Marlborough. The name Sandford suggests a river crossing, and ferries are part of its history. In 1644 during the civil war, troops crossed the river Thames to join the battle of Cropedy. The book “Three men in a boat” by Jerome K Jerome was published in 1889, which recounted a boat trip made by himself and three friends along the Thames, where he Describes Sandford as a “very good place to drown yourself”. Referring no doubt to the strong currents and eddies that flow along the Thames, which sadly claimed the life of the adopted son of J.M.Barrie, who wrote of course the inspired book of Peter Pan. Property in the area lived on as Manor Farm Temple farm, and became the property of Magdalen college Oxford in 1900. IThe Manor then became Temple farm country club, until it was burnt down in the 1900’s. It was restored as part of the Four Pillers hotel group, and then in 2016 became part of the De Vere group of hotels. In 2019 it was bought to become part of the IHG group of hotels, and named as Voco Oxford Thames hotel, this being the third hotel to join Voco family. It’s only three miles out of Oxford centre and it’s 38 independent colleges. It is beautifully situated on the banks of the Thames, set in 30 acres of lovely grounds, with a walled garden you can enjoy. The hotel offers some lovely views from some of the rooms, but most simply overlook car parks. Rooms in the college wing are the oldest, some even having the original fire places, while the garden wing has more up to date rooms, looking out to the river or lawns. All public rooms are on the ground floor, including four disabled rooms, as the only lift available is for rooms 200 to 210. It’s spacious glass roofed conservatory is open for large functions, with afternoon tea, and even dinner that may be taken, as well as the use of another restaurant area. Crusaders bar and lounge is still an medieval room with open beams, beautiful area to enjoy a drink or two, with casual dinning over a light lunch thats available at very reasonable cost. The hotel has a beautiful heated pool in plain elegant colours, and is part of the Leaf spa, with sauna, and steam room, and it has a fitness centre which sadly is upstairs so no use to a disabled person, and during the summer months, a tennis court is there to be used. Outside, the courtyard offers a safe place for young ducklings to be brought up before taking to the waters of the Thames. We know that a bee colony was introduced in the grounds to produce honey to be used in the restaurant, but not sure if still in use. And a 1920’s St Johns barge sits on the waters edge on the banks of the Thames, nice place to sit to relax, take photos, and a pleasant backdrop for wedding photos. OUR REVIEW Driving through the outskirts of Oxford, some three miles from city centre, we drove along a well kept drive which looked nice with the gateway (photo 1) to arrive at a pleasing car park with three disabled bays overlooking the yellow Cotswold stone buildings that await you. (photo 2). A beautiful pathway led you to the main door (3) which had a pull handle door, but it’s all on the flat (4). Once inside you come to the very pleasant reception desk (5) and my first words were “Oh wow ! ) The Crusaders bar and lounge was so appealing and attractive (photo 6) and there is a seating area up the stairs where you can eat or drink (7) but each table had the menu laid out, and the prices were very reasonable with a good choice of dishes. Looking back away from the bar towards the fire (8) which looked so inviting on our cold wet early March day. A courtyard conservatory style room just off the main Crusaders lounge overlooked a delightful courtyard (photo 9). Beyond this a beautiful stone wall classy passage leading to bedrooms. (10). Another corridor leading towards the suites and toilets, again an attractive and well decorated area, (11) Alongside the large conservatory room, ( a large business function was taking place in there so unable to take photos of conservatory ) the lovely parquet floor led towards the toilets (12) with a wide disabled toilet door that needs to be pulled towards you (13) With plenty of room in the toilet, spotlessly clean. Grab rails are there to support you (14). Next to the stannah chair lift on the staircase are the ladies and gents rooms. Nearby we found a lift that will take you up to your rooms of 200 to 210 (16). Another modern corridor (17) led towards more rooms, but looks just so homely with the furniture there. The Kennington room looks as if it may be used for private functions, as well as for use as a restaurant (18) with seating overlooking the river Thames and the old St Johns barge (19).

Transport & Parking

We arrived after by-passing Oxford, driving along a well tendered parkland of tall trees that lined the drive, and parked up very close to the hotels entrance, where three disabled bays await you. A delightful brick paved path leads you towards the lovely entrance, and you know by now you are going to enjoy your visit here.

Access

Although a bit of a push away from the entrance, it’s worth the effort, it looks delightful anyway. It’s on the level, with a pull handle doorway, that leads into the hotel. Everything you need is then on the level, and easy to get around, so make sure you take time to have a good look around the public rooms and outdoor areas.

Toilets

We give 3.5 stars as it’s a bit of a ride to find the toilets, and although on the level, it’s a bit of a nuisance. However, the disabled public toilet is large, very clean and well looked after, just simple plain tiled walls and flooring, but it has its grab rail and plenty of room to turn around in there.

Staff

Top marks, it’s a pleasure for them to work here, so they are going to make your visit as nice as possible.

Photos