Name: Oxford River Cruises
Rating: 5.0

Oxford River Cruises

The Folly, 1 Folly Bridge, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 4LB, England

1-90 Years

Paid

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Oxford River Cruises offers relaxing and scenic boat trips along the River Thames in the heart of Oxford. Since 2004, it has provided tranquil sightseeing experiences with knowledgeable skippers and elegant river boats. Each cruise offers a unique way to see Oxford’s famous landmarks, nature and university rowing life from the water.

Visitors can choose from the 45-minute Oxford Experience Cruise, Afternoon Tea Cruise, Cruise & Dine, Picnic Cruise, Evening Cocktail Cruise, Cruise & Tasting, and Spritz Cruise. Cruises pass highlights such as Folly Bridge, Christ Church Meadows, university boathouses, Iffley Lock, Folly Island, Port Meadow and Osney Lock, with options including afternoon tea, picnic hampers, cocktails, Prosecco, Champagne and a six-course tasting menu at The Folly restaurant. Private Bespoke Luxury Boat Hire is also available for birthdays, family celebrations and company outings aboard electric river boats accommodating up to 10 passengers.

Prices start from £19 for Adults (12+) and £14 for Children (Up to 11 years) for the Oxford Experience Cruise. Afternoon Tea Cruise costs £54 for Adults and £35 for Children; Cruise & Dine £89 for Adults and £45 for Children; Picnic Cruise £64 for Adults and £39 for Children; Evening Cocktail Cruise £24 per person; Cruise & Tasting £129 per person; and Spritz Cruise £29 per person. Private boat hire ranges from £220 Off Peak (£350 Peak) for 1 hour up to £900 Off Peak (£1,375 Peak) for a full day (up to 8 hours).

Oxford River Cruises provides a peaceful escape from the busy city streets while showcasing the beauty of the Thames. With sightseeing, fine dining, cocktails and picnic options, there is something for couples, families and groups. It is an ideal way to experience Oxford from a calm and memorable riverside perspective.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Oxford Experience Cruise: We journey through a fascinating stretch of the river as we cruise down the university regatta course towards quaint Iffley village. We pass ancient Folly Bridge, Christ Church College & Meadows, and the University rowing houses. Known locally as The Isis, this is one of the busiest and most colourful stretches of the Thames. Rowing eights, punts, university boats and large pleasure cruisers come together in a lively display of all that the river has to offer.
Afternoon Tea Cruise: A sumptuous afternoon tea is the perfect accompaniment to a relaxed outing exploring the beauty of the river. Travelling down the university regatta course we pass Christ Church meadows, and the university college boathouses on our way to Iffley Lock. This is a vibrant section of the river, with training rowing crews, punts and pleasure boats. Passing through the lock at Iffley is an experience in itself – the river scenery and fascinating buildings combine to form a picture perfect location.
Cruise & Dine: Combine the unique, tranquil experience of a river cruise with a stunning three course meal in the charming surroundings of The Folly restaurant. Board one of our elegant Edwardian River boats and enjoy the highlights of river life in Oxford accompanied by a glass of Prosecco. Passing landmarks such as Folly Bridge, Christ Church meadows and the university boathouses. Finish your journey at The Folly where you will enjoy a thoughtfully conceived and prepared menu of fresh food and the best seasonal ingredients.
Picnic Cruise: Our Oxford Picnic Cruise combines sightseeing with a leisurely picnic on a relaxing journey exploring the hidden gems of the city. Nothing makes a trip feel more like a pleasurable adventure than a traditional British picnic basket, packed with treats to share as you take in the sights and sounds of the beautiful outdoors. This small group cruise aboard one of our elegant electric river boats takes you along the route that Alice Liddell and Lewis Carroll took when composing ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’.
Evening Cocktail Cruise: Setting sail in an Edwardian River Launch just as the sun is waning in the sky, you can experience the wonderful changing light and distinctive calm of evening on the water, cocktail in hand. Choose from a selection of cocktails freshly prepared by skilled bartenders at The Folly. The cruise is a classic tour of the River Thames as it meanders around Oxford. Enjoy the tranquillity as you gently drift past Christ Church meadows, and experience the serenity of the river winding down as we pass the university boathouses.
Cruise & Tasting: Your evening starts aboard one of our elegant Edwardian River boats enjoying the highlights of river life in Oxford accompanied by a glass of Champagne. Follow this with an unforgettable 6-course tasting menu at The Folly restaurant. Showcasing the very best seasonal dishes. The Folly provides a unique riverside dining experience in the heart of Oxford. Featuring spectacular dishes such as Tuna Nikkei Ceviche with soy tiger’s milk, red onion & watermelon, and Lamb Pave with wild garlic & pea risotto, roasted vegetables and rosemary jus.
Spritz Cruise: Setting sail in an elegant Edwardian River Launch while the river is alive with daylight, you can take in wide-open views, gentle breezes, and the easy calm of the Thames in the daytime — spritz in hand. Choose from a selection of spritzes freshly mixed by the team at The Folly. The cruise follows a classic stretch of the River Thames as it winds around Oxford. Enjoy the unhurried pace as you glide past Christ Church Meadows and soak in the peaceful scenery near the university boathouses, all bathed in natural daylight.

What to see

Oxford Experience Cruise

45 minute sightseeing tour
From £19pp Off Peak, £24pp Peak times
Take in the beauty of Oxford whilst cruising down the university regatta course
See ancient Folly Bridge, Christ Church college and meadows, the college boat houses and Iffley Lock
Hear the history of the river from your knowledgeable skipper
Public cruise daily March to November

Afternoon Tea Cruise

1.5 hour sightseeing river cruise
Enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea served aboard
From £54pp Off Peak, £64pp Peak times. £39pp for under 12s
Cruise along the university regatta course
View the university boathouses and Christ Church Meadows
Sail through Water Meadows and spot wildlife around Iffley
Travel through ancient Iffley Lock
Private options available
Public cruises March to November

Cruise & Dine

Exquisite three course meal at The Folly restaurant
45 minute pre-dinner cruise aboard an elegant Edwardian river boat
Complimentary glass of Prosecco aboard the vessel
From £89pp Off Peak, £99pp Peak times. £45 for under 12’s
See Folly Island, Christ Church meadow, university boathouses and regatta course
Available March to October
Lunchtime or evening availabilities

Picnic Cruise

3 hour sightseeing tour
Picnic hamper aboard
From £64pp Off Peak, £74pp Peak Times. £39pp for under 12
Pass through Osney Lock
Stunning scenery at Port Meadow
Short stop at a historic riverside pub
Christ Church meadow and college glimpses
University boat houses
Private options available on request
Public cruise daily April to October

Evening Cocktail Cruise

Carefully crafted seasonal cocktail of your choice from The Folly menu
From £24pp Off Peak, £29pp Peak times
45 minute cruise aboard an elegant Edwardian river boat
See Folly Island, Christ Church meadow, university boathouses and regatta course
Available March to October

Cruise & Tasting

Exquisite Six Course Tasting Menu at The Folly Restaurant
40 minute pre-dinner cruise aboard an elegant Edwardian river boat
Complimentary glass of Champagne aboard the vessel
£129 per person
See Folly Island, Christ Church meadow, university boathouses and regatta course
Available April to October

Spritz Cruise

Handmade Spritzer of your choice
From £29pp Off Peak, £34pp Peak times
45 minute cruise aboard an elegant Edwardian river boat
See Folly Island, Christ Church meadow, university boathouses and regatta course
Available March to October

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Oxford Experience Cruise

Adults (12+): £19
Children (Up to 11 years): £14

Afternoon Tea Cruise

Adults: £54
Children (Up to 11 years): £35

Cruise & Dine

Adults (12+): £89
Children (Up to 11 years): £45

Picnic Cruise

Adults (12+): £64
Children (Up to 11 years): £39

Evening Cocktail Cruise

£24 Per person

Cruise & Tasting

£129 Per person

Spritz Cruise

£29 Per person

Pricing URL: https://oxfordrivercruises.com/river-cruises/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Bespoke Luxury Boat Hire

From birthday parties, family celebrations or company outings, to a simple relaxing trip with friends. Our professional skippers are at your service. Taking care of all practical aspects of your outing, leaving you to enjoy and savour the experience. Bacchanalia, Golden Slumbers, Pantalaimon and Little Ox are all lovingly crafted electric river boats, each with a capacity of up to 10 passengers. All four boats offer full length canopies and clear side windows to protect from inclement weather. In good weather, we keep them as open as possible so you can enjoy the beauty of the river and the simple pleasure of quietly gliding through the water.

Peak/Off Peak