Boat Trips, Sightseeing & Dining Cruises

Oxford River Cruises provides a range of luxurious boat trips, sightseeing tours and unique dining cruises along the same stretch of the River Thames as that 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.

The Edwardian style craft used by Oxford River Cruises provide a luxurious, comfortable and intimate setting for an unforgettable river experience.

If you would like to privately hire one of our boats for a special occasion please contact us or see our Private Charters page for more information.

Dates of public sailings are available on the River Cruise Diary Page

Private cruises are available on any day

Lunchtime Picnic Trip
Afternoon River Experience
Sunset Picnic Trip
Mad Hatters Tea Party
Large Groups
School Trips

Lunchtime Picnic Trip

Our lunchtime picnic cruise combines Oxford sightseeing with a gourmet 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.

The trip passes through Osney Lock (one of the deepest on the Thames) and there will be an option to stretch your legs, perhaps by taking a stroll to visit mysterious Godstow Nunnery or the Trout Inn at Wolvercote (featured in many Inspector Morse episodes and Brideshead Revisited).

Your gourmet picnic lunch in locally sourced from some of Oxfords finest caterers. Exact contents depend on the availability of the freshest of produce but will include all the fine staples of the traditional English picnic.

The Lunchtime Picnic Trip costs £45 per person (catered) or £30 (self catered).

Dates of public sailings are available on the River Cruise Diary Page

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

The cruise departs from our moorings at the The Perch Inn, Binsey Lane. Departure is at 12.30pm. The cruise lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

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River Experience Sightseeing Trips

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

The trip takes in one of the most interesting and beautiful stretches of the River Thames. Departing from our moorings at The Perch Inn we follow the river as it skirts majestic Port Meadow, a vast area of common land that has remained little changed since prehistoric times. At the top of Port Meadow is Godstow, where Alice and Lewis Carroll picnicked together and composed Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Heading downstream we have views of the 'dreaming spires' of Oxford. We share the river with horses, cows and bird life in abundance. A complimentary glass of wine (and soft drinks) are served for your enjoyment during the trip.

The Afternoon River Experience costs £15 per person.

Dates of public sailings are available on the River Cruise Diary Page

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

The cruise departs from our moorings at the The Perch Inn, Binsey Lane. The cruise lasts approximately 1 hour.

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Sunset Picnic Trip

Little can compare to the beauty and romance of gliding gently through the slow running water of the Thames, dining on our gourmet 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 gourmet picnic, dining on the freshest produce 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 Trip costs £45 per person (catered) or £30 (self catered).

Dates of public sailings are available on the River Cruise Diary Page

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

The cruise departs from our moorings at the The Perch Inn, Binsey Lane. Departure is at 6pm (5pm during September). The cruise lasts approximately 2.5 - 3 hours.

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Mad Hatter's Tea Parties

Many of our trips follow the same stretch of river that inspired the first telling of the classic story of Alice in Wonderland.

In celebration of this enduring and fantastic tale we are delighted to offer Mad Hatters Tea Parties afloat. If you have ever dreamt of taking a bite out of an ‘Eat me’ cake, or gulping down a 'Drink Me' bottle while gliding down the river looking out for that mysterious white rabbit, this trip could be for you. Differing versions of the trip are available for children and adults.

Our Mad Hatter's Tea Parties operate on a private hire basis throughout the season.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

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Boat Trips for Groups Travel Organisers

We have a variety of enjoyable scheduled boat trips ideal for group travel organisers.

Our cruises for large groups are detailed below. If you plan to bring a number of groups to Oxford we have discount and incentive schemes available for group travel organisers making multiple bookings. Historical commentary can be provided by eminent local historian and author, Mark Davies, at an additional cost.

1. River Experience Trip
We take in a fascinating stretch of River as we head south towards Iffley lock. This is one of the busiest and most colourful stretches of the Oxford Thames (the stretch locally known as The Isis). Rowing eights, university boats and large pleasure cruisers come together in a lively display of all that the river has to offer. As we head downstream there is plenty to see. We pass along the length of Christchurch Meadows up to the college rowing houses and beyond. Approx. 45 minutes.

2. Rose Island Trip
As River Experience Trip but extended to include passage through Iffley Lock and into the beautiful countryside surrounding Oxford. We make our turn at picturesque Rose Island. Approx 90 minutes.

3. Port Meadow Trip
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 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. The trip passes through Osney Lock (one of the deepest on the Thames). Approx. 90 minutes.

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School Sightseeing Trips and Educational Tours

No one doubts the value of school trips to the education and personal development of young people but they require a major amount of planning. Oxford River Cruises is experienced at providing safe, informative and enjoyable boat trips for groups.

We will be delighted to work with you to create a memorable day and can design trips concentrating on various natural, historical and literary aspects of the river.

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