Life is better
on the water.

College Cruisers is a family-run narrowboat hire company based in the heart of Oxford, operating from a beautiful base on the Oxford Canal just minutes from the city centre. We have been welcoming guests aboard for over 30 years, and our passion for the waterways is as strong as ever.

We are one of Oxford's most highly regarded holiday companies, having won TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence in 2017 and 2018 and receiving five-star ratings from hundreds of guests across every review platform.

Our base

We operate from Combe Road Wharf, Oxford OX2 6BL — a peaceful, easily accessible spot just off the Botley Road, with free parking available for the duration of your holiday. We are approximately 1.5 miles from Oxford city centre and a short taxi or bus ride from the railway station.

Our team

College Cruisers is run by Carys and her family. Our small, dedicated team knows every inch of the Oxford Canal and will give you a thorough and friendly briefing before you set off. We genuinely love what we do, and we think it shows.

The Oxford Canal

The Oxford Canal runs 77 miles from Oxford to Coventry, passing through some of England's most beautiful countryside — market towns, ancient villages, waterside pubs and rolling meadows. It is one of the most popular canals in the country, and one of the most rewarding for first-time boaters.

Our hire price is fully inclusive — we don't believe in hidden extras. Here is everything that is included in the price of every College Cruisers holiday.

On the boat

Before you depart

• Expert tuition — a full, unhurried briefing covering boat handling, locks, mooring and safety. No experience needed.
• Lock training — hands-on practice at the first lock with one of our team alongside you.
• Route guides & maps — detailed canal maps plus our personal recommendations for pubs, moorings and things to see.
• Emergency contact — a direct number for our team, available throughout your holiday.

Not included

• Food and drink
• Towels (please bring your own)
• Mooring fees at paid visitor moorings
• Any damage beyond normal wear and tear (covered by our damage waiver scheme)

Bookings & deposits

• A 25% deposit is required to confirm your booking. The balance is due 6 weeks before your departure date.
• Bookings made within 6 weeks of departure require payment in full.
• We accept payment by bank transfer, credit card and debit card.

Cancellation policy

• More than 6 weeks before departure: deposit forfeited.
• 4–6 weeks before departure: 50% of total hire cost.
• Less than 4 weeks before departure: full hire cost payable.
• We strongly recommend taking out holiday cancellation insurance.

Security deposit

A refundable security deposit of £200–£500 (depending on boat) is taken on arrival by card. This covers any damage beyond normal wear and tear and is returned within 7 days of your return, subject to inspection.

Who can hire

• The lead hirer must be 18 or over.
• No prior boating experience is necessary — full training is provided.
• Children are welcome on all boats.
• Pets are welcome on selected boats — please ask when booking.
• Maximum party size must not exceed the boat's stated sleeping capacity.

On the water

• Speed limit on the canal is 4 mph — please observe this at all times.
• Smoking is not permitted inside any of our boats.
• Boats must be returned by 09:00 on the final day of hire.
• College Cruisers reserves the right to refuse hire or terminate a holiday where these conditions are not observed.

One of the joys of a narrowboat holiday is how little you need to bring. The boat is fully equipped — here's our recommended packing list.

Clothing

• Layers — canal weather can change quickly, even in summer. A warm fleece and a waterproof jacket are essential.
• Old shoes or wellies — towpaths and lock sides can be muddy. Bring footwear you don't mind getting dirty.
• Non-slip shoes — important for moving around the boat safely.
• Casual, comfortable clothes for everyday wear on the canal.
• Swimwear if you plan to use the swimming holes or lidos along the route.

Bedding & bathroom

• Bed linen and pillow cases are provided for all fixed beds.
• Towels — please bring your own. Bath towels and beach towels.
• Toiletries and personal hygiene items.

Food & drink

• We recommend doing a main food shop before departure — the nearest supermarkets are a short drive or taxi from our base.
• The canal passes many excellent village shops and farm shops where you can top up along the way.
• Cooking equipment, pots, pans and utensils are all provided on board.

Other essentials

• Waterproof bags or dry bags for valuables.
• Sun cream — you'll be surprised how much time you spend on deck.
• A good book or two — canal life is wonderfully relaxing.
• Binoculars for wildlife spotting.
• A portable Bluetooth speaker if you enjoy music on deck.

Useful apps & guides

• Canal Planner or Waterway Routes — for route planning and lock information.
• CRT Waterways — for live stoppages, locks and sanitary station locations.
• We provide paper maps and our own route notes — but these apps are a helpful complement.

One of the great pleasures of the Oxford Canal is the string of excellent waterside pubs along its length. Here are our favourites — all accessible by boat, most with good moorings directly outside or nearby.

Heading north from Oxford

Mooring tips

• Most canalside pubs have 48-hour visitor moorings — more than enough for an overnight stay.
• Arrive by early afternoon in peak season to be sure of a mooring spot.
• Always check CRT notices for any mooring restrictions before travelling.
• We include our personal mooring notes and pub recommendations in your departure pack.

College Cruisers is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, and your rights under UK GDPR.

Who we are

College Cruisers is a trading name operating from Combe Road Wharf, Oxford OX2 6BL. You can contact us at 01865 554343 or by email.

What data we collect

• Enquiry & booking data — name, email address, phone number and the details of your booking request when you submit our enquiry form.
• Communication data — any correspondence you send us by email, phone or post.
• Website usage data — anonymous analytics data (pages visited, time on site) if analytics tools are active. No personally identifiable information is collected at this level.

How we use your data

• To respond to your enquiry and process your booking.
• To contact you regarding your upcoming or past holiday.
• To send occasional updates about availability or offers, only where you have indicated you are happy to receive these.
• We do not sell, rent or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.

Legal basis for processing

We process your data on the basis of legitimate interest (responding to your enquiry and fulfilling a booking contract) and, where applicable, consent (marketing communications).

How long we keep your data

Booking and enquiry records are retained for up to 7 years for accounting and legal purposes. Marketing consent records are retained until you withdraw consent. You may request deletion of your data at any time.

Your rights

• Access — you may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction — you may ask us to correct inaccurate data.
• Deletion — you may ask us to delete your data, subject to legal retention requirements.
• Objection — you may object to processing based on legitimate interest.
• Portability — you may request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at 01865 554343.

Cookies

This website may use cookies for basic functionality and anonymous analytics. No advertising or tracking cookies are set without consent. You can disable cookies in your browser settings at any time.

Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.