Lunchtime Picnic Cruise

Our lunchtime picnic cruise combines Oxford sightseeing with a leisurely picnic lunch and a relaxed experience of river life.

We travel through the city past famous landmarks including Christchurch College and Meadows, the University boathouses and regatta course, the Head of the River and Folly Bridge . From the river we take in a side of Oxford's heritage rarely seen by visitors to the city. Quaint Osney Island, well-loved allotments and gardens and majestic and ancient Port Meadow are off the tourist trail but represent some of Oxford's most beautiful and intriguing scenery. Port Meadow, a vast area of common land, has remained little changed since prehistoric times and supports plants and bird-life in abundance. At the top of Port Meadow is Godstow. Godstow was the ultimate destination of Alice Liddell and Lewis Carroll when they followed an identical route to our trip while composing 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'.  It is also the site of Trout Island, an inspiration for another of Oxfords literary icons, C S Lewis, and his stories of the land of Narnia.

Your picnic lunch is provided by riverside restaurant, No.1 Folly Bridge, and typically includes marinated chicken, a selection of salad, cheese, quiche, gala pie and bread and butter. Followed by scones, strawberries and cream and indulgent cakes.*

The Lunchtime Picnic Trip costs £45 per person and £30 for children under 16.

The cruise departs from our moorings at 'No.1 Folly Bridge', Folly Bridge, Oxford,

OX1 4LB. Departure is at 12.30pm. The cruise lasts approximately 2.5 hours. This cruise must be booked by 5pm the day before travel.

Private versions of this cruise are available on any day (a surcharge applies for groups of less than 8 people). This trip operates between April and October.

*exact contents depend on availability - see Ratty's Hamper

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River Experience Cruise

If your time in Oxford is limited but you still wish to experience a taste of river life this one hour tour is designed for you.

We take in a fascinating stretch of River as we cruise down the university regatta course towards quaint Iffley village. We pass ancient Folly Bridge, Christchurch College and Meadows and the university rowing houses. This is one of the busiest and most colourful stretches of the Thames (the stretch locally known as The Isis). Rowing eights, punts, university boats and large pleasure cruisers come together in a lively display of all that the river has to offer.

The River Experience Cruise costs £9 per person and £6 for children under 16.

The cruise departs from our moorings at 'No.1 Folly Bridge', Folly Bridge, Oxford,

OX1 4LB. The cruise lasts approximately 50 minutes. Cruises usually depart at 11am, 2.30pm, 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

This cruise operates between March and December. During November and December cruises only depart at 11am and 2.30pm.

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Sunset Picnic Cruise

Little can compare to the beauty and romance of gliding gently through the slow running water of the Thames, leisurely dining on a picnic, as the sun sets.

Evening on the river can be truly magical. Cruising quietly we witness a wonderful natural display. The abundant bird-life is at its most active in the evening and as daylight begins to slip away horses and cows make their way across the meadows to take a last drink of the cooling waters of the Thames. The river itself is vibrant and busy with rowers, narrow boats and cruisers all adding to a rich tapestry of colour and activity.

Our launch is a unique vantage point from which to enjoy this scene. This evening trip offers the finest hospitality that you will find afloat. You will enjoy a generous picnic in the comfortable surroundings of a purpose built river launch.

After a long and leisurely dinner and as the light begins to fade we return to our moorings where passengers disembark with lasting memories of their wondrous evening on the river.

The Sunset Picnic Cruise costs £45 per person and £30 for children under 16. The cruise runs on specified dates between May and September. If your preferred date can not be booked online please call us to check availability.

Private cruises are available on any day (a surcharge applies for groups of less than 8 people). This trip operates between May and September.

The cruise departs from our moorings at 'No.1 Folly Bridge', Folly Bridge, Oxford,

OX1 4LB. The cruise usually departs at 6pm (5pm in September) and lasts 2.5 hours.

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Alice in Wonderland Cruise

This unique cruise follows the route taken by Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell in a small rowing boat almost 150 years ago, when the timeless tale of Alice in Wonderland was created.

Departing the city centre we pass famous landmarks including the Head of the River and Folly Bridge . From the river we take in a side of Oxford's heritage rarely seen by visitors to the city. Quaint Osney Island, well-loved allotments and gardens and majestic and ancient Port Meadow are off the tourist trail but represent some of Oxford's most beautiful and intriguing scenery. Port Meadow, a vast area of common land, has remained little changed since prehistoric times and supports plants and bird-life in abundance. At the top of Port Meadow is Godstow. Godstow was the ultimate destination of Alice and Lewis Carroll and is the site of their famous picnic during which Carroll created his story. Godstow is also the site of Trout Island, an inspiration for another of Oxfords literary icons, C S Lewis, and his stories of the land of Narnia. The tour passes through Osney Lock (one of the deepest on the Thames).

The Alice in Wonderland Cruise is £25 for adults and £15 for children under 16.

The cruise departs from our moorings at 'No.1 Folly Bridge', Folly Bridge, Oxford,

OX1 4LB. Departure is at 12.30pm. The cruise lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

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