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2-star hotel Check-in 12:00 · Check-out 10:30

The Saracen's Head Hotel, Highworth

Enjoy a 4.3-rated stay at The Saracen's Head Hotel in Highworth, featuring cozy guestrooms, a restaurant, 2 bars, garden, free Wi-Fi, and free parking near Swindon.

High St, Highworth, Nr Swindon SN6 7AG, United Kingdom View on map
8.6/10
Very Good Based on 522 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Breakfast Free parking Kid-friendly Restaurant
What recent guests emphasize

Comfortable pub accommodations with friendly service and hearty food

Guests appreciate the traditional charm, welcoming staff, and quality pub meals, while noting that some rooms could benefit from updating. The location in historic Highworth is ideal for exploring local attractions.

Guests often praise

  • Friendly, attentive, and sociable staff creating a welcoming atmosphere
  • Hearty, home-cooked meals and a good variety of traditional pub food and drinks
  • Comfortable beds and cozy, warm rooms with included amenities like Wi-Fi and TV
  • Convenient central location within the market town and near popular countryside attractions
  • Good value for the price, particularly for short stays

Worth knowing

  • Rooms are basic and somewhat dated; some guests mention worn carpets, blinds, and minor odors
  • The hotel has no air conditioning, fitness center, or pool, and is not pet-friendly
  • Breakfast includes cereal and toast; a full cooked breakfast is available at extra cost
  • Noise from bells on the hour may affect light sleepers
  • Parking is free and the property is smoke-free

Best for

  • Visitors looking for a traditional English pub experience with accommodation
  • Travelers on short stopovers seeking good food and friendly service
  • Guests wanting to explore nearby attractions like Cotswold Wildlife Park and local historic sites
  • Those who prioritize a central village location over modern hotel facilities
  • Families, as the property is kid-friendly and offers spacious communal areas
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About this property

Welcome to The Saracen's Head Hotel, Highworth

Situated in the traditional market town of Highworth, The Saracen's Head Hotel offers a classic pub experience combined with guest accommodations. The building dates back to at least 1825, reflecting local heritage and providing a setting that appeals to visitors interested in history and countryside charm. Located 7 miles from Swindon, it is well placed for exploring surrounding attractions such as the Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens and the Uffington White Horse.

The hotel features guestrooms with private facilities, though some reviews note that certain rooms could benefit from refurbishment. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, complimentary parking, and breakfast options, with a restaurant and two bars available on site. The garden and beer garden add to the relaxed atmosphere, making it a suitable stopover or a base for leisurely visits. It is family-friendly but does not accommodate pets and lacks air conditioning, a pool, or fitness facilities.

Guest feedback highlights a welcoming and sociable ambiance, with attentive staff and hearty home-cooked meals often praised. Portions are generally described as generous, with a variety of menu options. Some comments mention that while the rooms are comfortable and warm, occasional issues like noise from nearby church bells and dated room features may affect light sleepers or those seeking modern accommodations.

Its central location in Highworth provides easy access to nearby cultural sites and nature spots, along with an array of similar lodging options within a few miles. The property is accessible from several major airports within two to three hours by car or public transit. Overall, The Saracen's Head Hotel suits guests looking for traditional pub atmosphere, local character, and straightforward amenities in a historic market town setting.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Breakfast
Free parking
Kid-friendly
Restaurant
Bar
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Pool
Air-conditioned
Pet-friendly
Airport shuttle
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

VH
Vivian Hughes Apr 06, 2026
10

My uncle and I stopped here for lunch. And we were glad we did. A good menu - something for everyone really. I opted for the chicken and ham pie, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables (nice to get a traditional wholesome meal rather than fast food). The pie was deep and really well filled with big chunks of chicken in a nice creamy sauce and topped with pastry. All cooked just perfect. We had Arkells 3B beer which was smooth and tasted really good. We were served by AJ and his colleague who were attentive and friendly. I recommend the Saracens Head, and we will return soon.

D
Debbie Mar 26, 2026
10

I stayed in one of the single rooms. Perfect for what I needed. Very cosy & warm, comfortable bed, Clean linen & towels, good shower, kettle, tea & coffee, TV & Wifi. I had a fantastic view of the carol concert in the square. Breakfast: Cereal, toast, hot/cold drinks included. You can pay £11 for a full fried breakfast. I had the vegetarian one which was lovely, poached eggs were perfect. Great price of £35 for the night. I would definitely stay again. Next time I will bring some ear plugs as the bells outside chime on the hour and I'm quite a light sleeper

TC
Traci Cunningham Feb 16, 2026
8.0

A really lovely old building. Nothing is straight! Basic room but really in need of a refurb. The carpets were very badly stained as were the broken blinds. Such a shame. If the rooms were as welcoming as the staff and were refurbished, we would be happy to pay twice as much as we did. Okay, for a one night stopover. Super meal in the evening too and breakfast was good. Great service, too. Reasonable rates. Super village. Well worth a visit.

NV
Neil Vest Feb 15, 2026
10

This is a superb pub with a great landlord and landlady , sublime staff . Frequented by friendly sociable people who simply enjoy life and interact with each other so well, it's touching .Been again and once again, brilliant . Enjoyed a fabulous meal there as well.

PM
Peter McCrindle Feb 14, 2026
10

Very cosy pub with extremely tasty foods. Portions are huge! I had a freshly bakes wholemeal bread roll with salmon and cream cheese for ££9 adding optional obion

AL
Andy L Feb 12, 2026
10

Room was a little bigger than it looked in the photos. Bed was very comfortable, beer was good, beer garden was great. Toilet a bit run down but all working well. Just a bit of an odour in the toilets possibly drainage. I would go back it was nice and the staff all pleasant.

RK
Rolph Klijn Jan 19, 2026
8.0

Nicely located in the center of the historic city. Friendly personal. Great for a night when you are traveling through.

AD
Ashley DILLIS Jan 14, 2026
10

We had a really nice and chilled time away here! Lovely village, amazing beer and food at this pub! The rooms are really good just need some work to make perfect but it wasn’t bad by any means! Manager and staff were great! We often speak about coming back for the food and beer which is 10/10, home cooked food! We will be back in the future for a few days away! Local to a lot of places within the hour and perfect location! Thankyou for having us! See you again soon

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find The Saracen's Head Hotel, Highworth

Swindon, United Kingdom

Set in the traditional market town of Highworth, this traditional pub with rooms dating from at least 1825 is 7 miles from Swindon.

  • Swindon Street 4 min Walk
  • Brewery Street 2 min Walk
  • Stapleton Close 5 min Walk
  • Heathrow Airport 1 hr 20 Car · 2 hr 7 Transit
  • London Gatwick Airport 1 hr 55 Car · 2 hr 49 Transit
  • London Stansted Airport 2 hr 12 Car · 3 hr 8 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Swindon. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens 1 reviews

Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

Bradwell Grove, Burford OX18 4JP, United Kingdom

4.7 · Wildlife Park
Uffington White Horse 363 reviews

Uffington White Horse

Faringdon SN7 7QJ, United Kingdom

4.6 · Mountain Peak
Kelmscott Manor 565 reviews

Kelmscott Manor

Kelmscott, Lechlade GL7 3HJ, United Kingdom

4.7 · Museum
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