Discover all the sights from the water on these River Cruises in Oxford! What makes these boat tours of Oxford unique is that there's no traipsing around the city on foot to do, you'll be shown the sights from the comfort of a motor launch, making it an ideal activity for couples, families and small groups alike.
All boats depart from a lovely little decked docking area at the water's edge next to the famous Folly Bridge in the centre of Oxford for an afternoon on the calm waters of the Thames that runs right through the middle of the town. We advise booking early for this one, as it is always really popular during the main summer tourist season in Oxford.
The basic river cruise route lasts 50 minutes and takes you on one of the busiest stretches of the Thames at Oxford, with punts, university rowing boats and private pleasure cruisers all sharing the waters around these parts. Your captain knows this itinerary well and will be regaling you with knowledgeable facts and stories to accompany the sights you get to see, from the famous university's to the ancient bridges.
The longer Spirit of Oxford river cruise lasts around two and a half hours and you'll follow in the path of Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll, who was known to take the exact same route to Godstow via Port Meadow and Binsey, taking inspiration from the flora and fauna alongside the River Thames that he encountered on the way.
These river cruises in Oxford offer several departures per day during high season. Boats used are Edwardian-style river launches, capable of taking up to 50 passengers on the sightseeing tours of historic Oxford. Fully restored with a teak interior, the launch is both quiet and comfy, as it's electric powered. A wonderful way to see this lovely University town.