Britain's Smallest Hotel Opens in Former Victorian Toilet Oxford

Britain's smallest hotel, The Netty, has opened beneath St Giles in Oxford, transforming a former Victorian gentlemen's toilet into a boutique accommodation with just two 30-square-meter suites. The hotel underwent a lengthy 17-year renovation after the original facilities, built in 1895, closed in 2008 due to safety concerns and remained unused for 11 years. Owned by Oxford entrepreneur Gwyn Harries-Jones, The Netty retains original features like floor tiles and incorporates local craftsmanship and cultural elements to offer guests an immersive experience reflecting the site's unique history. Each suite is accessible via its own street-level staircase, and the design balances vintage character with modern comfort, inspired partly by the Ashmolean Museum's collections. Hotel manager Ana Pinheiro highlighted the hotel's intention to provide guests an intimate and atmospheric stay that invites them to appreciate Oxford's beauty. The name 'The Netty' derives from an old Geordie term for an outhouse, emphasizing its heritage and distinctive charm.