Oxford Sightseeing Picnic River Cruise
Recommended by 97% of travelers
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Oxford, England
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Admire Oxford from the water on this cruise, and see a side to the city that many travelers miss. Float along the tranquil Thames River as your skipper points out places of interest such as Christchurch College, the Meadows, Port Meadow, and Folly Bridge—which you can enjoy without having to jostle the land-based crowds. A picnic lunch midway keeps you fueled throughout.
- Learn more than you would on your own with insight from your skipper
- Enjoy the flexibility of either a morning or afternoon departure time
- A small-group tour ensures a relaxed feel throughout
- Check out the city from a unique vantage point on the water
What's Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Picnic lunch
- Professional skipper
- 3-hour river cruise
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Folly Brg, Oxford OX1 4JU, UK
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
River Thames (Pass By)
Christ Church Meadow (Pass By)
Folly Bridge (Pass By)
Port Meadow (Pass By)
1
Osney Lock Hydro
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Oxford River Cruises (Pass By)
2
The Folly Restaurant
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Stroller accessible
- Infant meals not included
- Service animals allowed
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Near public transportation
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Hashim_A
We had an amazing time on the river cruise from start to end. The captain, Ash, and the trainee (apologies I forgot her name!) made the experience enjoyable, safe and entertaining.
The picnic hampers were delicious and beautifully presented in the baskets. A selection of sandwiches, quiches and scones were provided.
The views along the River Thames were exceptional which was the cherry on top!
All in all, I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a relaxing activity in Oxford!
Reviews
4.9
based on 279 reviews
mark_w, Aug 2025
The skipper was outstanding. Three hours of great food and wonderful conversation. The history of the water and area were fully explored. Can’t recommend highly enough
Zydrune_B, Jun 2025
A lovely and relaxing afternoon on the river. There was plenty of food and great views. We met some nice people on the boat and our skipper Rory was brilliant and easy going.
Hashim_A, May 2025
We had an amazing time on the river cruise from start to end. The captain, Ash, and the trainee (apologies I forgot her name!) made the experience enjoyable, safe and entertaining.
The picnic hampers were delicious and beautifully presented in the baskets. A selection of sandwiches, quiches and scones were provided.
The views along the River Thames were exceptional which was the cherry on top!
All in all, I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a relaxing activity in Oxford!
David_P, Aug 2024
The whole cruise was nice. The skipper gave us a guided tour which added to the interest. He was very pleasant and lively. We were given a picnic in a hamper which was filled with goodies.
During the cruise we moored our boat and stopped off at a historic pub before returning back again.
Louise_G, Aug 2024
The picnic was delicious and the seating comfortable. The riverside was beautiful and varied. We saw water birds, forests, punters and locks. Lovely afternoon
Rhonda_M, May 2024
The Picnic River Cruise was fantastic. We were fortunate to have the small electric boat and it's skipper all to ourselves for our 5pm cruise. So we marvelled at the lovely picnic basket provided as we happily consumed its contents, chatted to our Skipper (Ash) and enjoyed the beauty and peacefulness that was the Thames.
We viewed lots of long boats, people rowing (or attempting to!!), going through the lock and generally having a very enjoyable relaxing time. Well worth doing this cruise. Loved it :)
Martha_S, Oct 2023
Beautiful, calm and informative! Captain was friendly and very knowledgeable! Scenery was divine! A wonderful way to learn more about Oxford from the water! The picnic was delicious too!
SharonCampbell_C, Aug 2023
A lovely way to spend an afternoon on the river around Oxford. Super picnic and excellent guide, so relaxed and very informative. Highly recommended.
Ann_H, Jun 2023
Fabulous trip on the river around Oxford. Laura our skipper was excellent pointing out local things of interest as we silently glided along the waterways. Delicious picnic provided added to the enjoyment.
Matt_B, May 2023
Crew was very friendly and nice. Food quality was great. Managed to see a heron, which was nice. Pub was good.
Gillian_B, May 2023
Passing through the lochs was a novel experience. The food was excellent and skipper good fun.The weather helped but the boat was comfortable anyway
George_T, Oct 2022
The guide was a fount of interesting information, and the tour gave us an unexpected perspective on Oxford.
Rhiannon_B, Oct 2022
Fantastic experience. Our skipper was incredible and so accommodating with our 4 month old baby and massive buggy! Highly recommended!
Mike_E, Sep 2022
A great afternoon picnic cruise. Friendly staff, comfortable boat, and excellent food. The entire event was professional, informative, low key, and relaxing. Oscar was a superb Captain and tour quite. A perfect way to end our stay in Oxford.
Mariel_F, Aug 2022
Our guide, Chris, was fantastic. He was funny and was very knowledgeable. Our group was so friendly and the picnic was really special and delicious. This was certainly one of the highlights of my stay in Oxford.
Barb_K, Jul 2022
Very quaint and enjoyable. Nick was an excellent guide. Lunch was lovely as well. Would recommend this
Andrew_B, Jul 2022
Booked this for my partner bday we both absolutely loved it the picnic basket was just a wonderful touch and crusing down the Thames was just idyllic thank you was a great day .
Just one downfall was stopping for half a hour on way back to follys one or two wanted the toilet so had to go into a pub which some people felt uneasy going into a pub to use the toilet so had to buy a drink and only having half a hour isn't long enough.
Apart from that excellent experience
Caroline_B, Jul 2022
Calm and enchanting experience with a feel of escaping for just a few hours could have been anywhere in the world....
Nicholas_A, Jul 2022
Knowledgeable and friendly skipper.
Fresh and delightful food.
Highly recommend for an enjoyable, peaceful and care free afternoon in Oxford
sharon_m, Jul 2022
Had previously done this trip a few years ago and it was excellent.
This time the boat broke down on the river - the young skipper wasn’t able to contact anyone to help as no-one answered any of her calls!
Thankfully my husband managed to lean over the side of the boat and free us off from a tangled rope around the propeller and we were able to limp back - Back at the mooring and not even a Thank you from any of the staff there!
Solfrid_K, Apr 2022
Thie rivercruise was a very wonderful happening. The skipper had so much to tell about the cruise, area, river and history. I really recommend this cruise for all visitors to Oxford.
Angela_L, Apr 2022
Very nice food hamper and drinks. Good skipper with just enough info and silence to enjoy scenery. Very nice trip thank you!
Philippa_D, Oct 2021
Trip to celebrate the life of a much loved husband and brother. Great trip, great guide, really lovely day. So well taken care of. Thank you
Margaret_M, Sep 2021
The whole river cruise was a delightful experience. Nick our captain was lovely and informative in an amusing way.
Gail_A, Sep 2021
What a way to spend a Saturday afternoon! The boat was a lovely small intimate one so it was like having your own private party. The food was delicious, quiche, sandwiches, scones and cream and strawberries. All home made served in wicker baskets which added that special something. A trip on the river with gentle music, lapping waves and even the sun. Brilliant.
Andrea_T, Jul 2021
The guide was absolutely fantastic. He had a story for every situation.
The picnic was great. We had a great evening.
Susan_W, Jul 2021
It was a evening cruise with rain unfortunately . This didn't deter from the enjoyment the other customers were lovely and we bonded straight away. We had George who said it was his first week ( that cant be true ) apart from being handsome and charming - pointed out lots of things out on the river and shared stories of oxford student traditions etc.
George was amazing with a family with three young children.....so much patience with them and answering their questions.
George made it fun for all.
My only disappointment was the picnic which wasn't really as advertised - three finger sandwiches ....a piece of quiche and 2 scones with jam and cream and a small dish of strawbs to share. Also we were given a jug of a soft drink but no glass of wine as advertised
Violeta_G, Jun 2021
Was amazing! The guide(a skinny, blond guy) was very cool! He had nice jokes and great information..
Elisabeth_G, Jun 2021
What a wonderful way to spend an evening, absolutely wonderful, highly recommend. Excellent customer service, beautiful location, gorgeous boat, gorgeous tasty picnic
Tom_W, Jun 2021
Very relaxing and interesting. The operator was quite knowledgeable and helpful. Picnic was very nice and the cool lemonade was lovely as the day was hot.
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