Oxford

15 Best Oxford River Cruises

The Thames cruises past the boathouses: sightseeing runs along the regatta course, afternoon-tea sailings and the river view of a city built facing away from it. The crews row past at training pace most mornings.

1.Oxford: Guided Sightseeing River Cruise

Experience Oxford from the water on a 45-minute electric river cruise past Folly Bridge, Christ Church Meadows, and Iffley Lock—relaxing, informative, and eco-friendly.

Most Popular★ 4.6

“We had a great trip on the Oxford Sightseeing River Cruise, an electric powered boat, with our local guide Max. Max was very informative and amusing as he described the various landmarks and history of Oxford and the Thames. We enhanced the trip with a…”

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4.Afternoon Tea Sightseeing River Cruise in Oxford

Enjoy a relaxing 1.5-hour Thames river cruise in Oxford with afternoon tea, offering scenic views, live commentary, and a romantic atmosphere.

★ 5.0

“We thoroughly enjoyed this tour, catching up and experiencing a relaxing cruise along the river in Oxford. The tour guide Dexter was great, a young, charming and bright Oxfordian to lead the tour. The sandwiches and scones were exquisite, and we had plenty of tea…”

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5.Oxford: Sightseeing River Cruise with Afternoon Tea

Enjoy a 1.5-hour scenic river cruise in Oxford with afternoon tea, passing historic landmarks, Rose Island, and lively punts, all led by knowledgeable guides.

★ 4.8

“We had a lovely time and it was the perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Rory was a fab guide and the afternoon tea was tasty and plentiful. Really appreciated the way the tables were set up so you were only seated with your…”

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6.Oxford Sightseeing Picnic River Cruise

Discover Oxford via a relaxing 3-hour river cruise with a picnic lunch, picturesque views, and engaging guides. Ideal for peaceful, authentic sightseeing.

★ 5.0

“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”

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7.River Cruise with Three Course Riverside Restaurant Dining

Discover Oxford by water with this scenic Thames river cruise topped with a three-course dinner at a charming riverside restaurant. Enjoy stunning views, friendly guides, and excellent food for a memorable experience.

★ 5.0

“The boat tour was a relaxing way to end a busy day. Our boat driver was fun and informative. The dinner was great!! The food was wonderful and really exceeded our expectations! You want to eat at this restaurant!!”

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10.Evening Cocktail Cruise in Oxford

Experience Oxford’s beauty on a 45-minute evening cruise with cocktails, guided commentary, and scenic views along the Thames, perfect for a relaxed evening.

★ 4.5

“Staff were very helpful indeed prior to the event. The cruise was a gentle, calming experience which we enjoyed very much.”

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12.Oxford: River Cruise with 3-Course Meal

Experience Oxford's beauty from the water with a scenic river cruise, complemented by a delicious 3-course meal at The Folly, all for around $120.

★ 4.8

“Fun cruise past the boathouses and an excellent diner :) Highly recommended as an evening cruise when the university rowboats are out training. However, do not expect to view the city from the water. It is just a small stretch of the river with houseboats…”

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13.Oxford | Alumni-Led Walking & Punting Tour w/opt New College

Discover Oxford’s iconic sights and university life on this alumni-led walking and punting tour, with optional New College entry, for an authentic experience.

★ 4.5

“Our walking tour with Daisy was supposed to be with two other people but they didn’t show up so we had a personalized tour. Daisy was so lovely and gave us a perfect introduction to several colleges, including funny student anecdotes and examples. Finished with…”

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14.Shared | Oxford University Punting Tour

Experience Oxford from the water with a guided, chauffeured punting tour passing iconic landmarks, colleges, and scenic gardens for a relaxing 30-minute adventure.

★ 4.5

“Amazing Charlie was the best. Very attentive and helpful and kind. It was lovely Very enjoyable would do it again”

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More Oxford River Cruises

Explore Oxford

College cloisters, Hogwarts corridors and punts past the boathouses.