Oxfordshire Canal Boat Hire

Banbury sits right on the Oxford Canal, so moorings put you close to the town centre. The famous Banbury Cross is a short walk away, and the canal basin has been redeveloped with shops and cafés. The town’s museum and nearby castle remains add a touch of history, while the traditional Banbury cake is worth seeking out if only for the name. A couple of hours ashore gives you the flavour without straying far from your boat.

Set on the banks of the Thames near Pangbourne, Beale Park combines landscaped gardens with a collection of animals and birds. It’s family-friendly without being overwhelming, and the grounds make for a pleasant wander even if you’re not tracking down every enclosure. Moorings on the Thames give easy access, and a couple of hours is enough to enjoy the highlights before cruising on.

A UNESCO World Heritage site and birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace offers a lovely day out. The palace grounds are ideal for picnics, and the Butterfly House, maze, and adventure playground will keep children entertained for hours.

This famous college in Oxford is a popular tourist attraction as well as a seat of learning! It is that one that inspired the Great Hall in the Harry Potter films. It is open to the public for tours, and many visitors come to explore its stunning architecture, gardens, and historic rooms. While it’s not always open for general dining (it’s primarily used for college events), you can visit the hall as part of the college’s visitor tour.

Hampton Court Palace is a magnificent Tudor and Baroque royal palace on the banks of the River Thames, just outside London. Famous as the home of Henry VIII, it offers a fascinating glimpse into 500 years of royal life. You can buy day tickets and take the opportunity to see the Tudor kitchens, stroll the grand Baroque apartments built for William III and Mary II, and get lost in the world-famous Hampton Court Maze. The palace’s gardens are equally impressive, so take a picnic or enjoy a bite to eat at one of the cafes on site.

Dating back to the 13th century, Newbridge is one of the two oldest surviving bridges across the Thames. It was built to carry packhorses, and the stone arches still give the crossing a medieval feel. There’s a riverside pub right by the bridge, making it an easy and pleasant stop for boaters. Moorings are available close by, so it’s a convenient pause whether for a quick look or a leisurely lunch.

Visitor moorings bring you within easy reach of one of England’s most famous cities. Oxford is all spires, quads and libraries, and even a short wander gives you the sense that half the country’s history was written here. The colleges are the real stars — some open their doors for a look around — while the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera are worth a pause, even if just for the photo. Two or three hours ashore lets you dip into the city’s atmosphere before retreating to the quieter pace of the canal.

The kids will love this attraction in the centre of Oxford! You can go underground to explore the crypt, step inside 18th century prison cells and climb the 101 steps of St Georges Tower. Take a guided tour and learn the history of this original 11th century motte-and-bailey fortress that has been a royal palace, a prison, and a military barracks over the centuries.

Located just a short walk from Henley Bridge, the River & Rowing Museum combines modern architecture with a broad mix of exhibitions. As you’d expect, rowing and the Henley Regatta feature strongly, but there are also displays on the River Thames, the town’s history, and even a family-friendly Wind in the Willows gallery. Visitor moorings in Henley make it an easy stop, and a couple of hours is enough to explore before heading back to the boat.

Thorpe Park is one of the UK’s major theme parks, with rollercoasters and rides aimed squarely at thrill-seekers. It’s a very different day out from the heritage stops along the canals, but for those who enjoy speed and spectacle, it delivers. The nearest moorings are around Chertsey or Staines-upon-Thames. From either, it’s about a 10–15 minute taxi ride to the park entrance.

Right in the centre of Banbury, Tooley’s Boatyard is one of the oldest continuously working dry docks on the canal system. Established in 1790, it’s now part museum, part working yard, with guided tours showing the forge, workshops and dry dock still in use today. It’s a rare chance to see the craft and tools that kept Britain’s waterways moving. Moorings in Banbury Basin make it an easy and worthwhile stop.

Visiting Windsor Castle is a journey through nearly 1,000 years of royal history. As the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, it has been home to 40 monarchs and remains an official residence of His Majesty The King. Highlights include the grand State Apartments filled with treasures from the Royal Collection, the beautiful St George’s Chapel, and the lively Changing of the Guard. You can visit all year round, the castle being open five days a week between Thursday and Monday.