Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House - Our hotel history

A building steeped in history, the main hotel was the birthplace of explorer, treasure hunter and polar medalist Francis Howard Bickerton in 1889. The hotel’s restaurant ‘Frank’s’ has been named in his honour.

The adjacent Elm House is the former home of British pilot and aerial photographer Major George W Allen. Now it occupies 15 stunning bedrooms and private gardens available for exclusive hire.

The Coach House has since become one of our most sought-after bedrooms and looks out onto the spectacular grounds on which these three beautiful buildings sit.