Life is better
on the water.
Narrowboat holidays from Oxford. From £85/night. No experience needed.
Narrowboat holidays from Oxford. From £85/night. No experience needed.
About College Cruisers
College Cruisers is a long-established, family-run narrowboat hire fleet based right in the centre of Oxford, just minutes from the historic university colleges, restaurants and the railway station.
We offer relaxing holidays along the Oxford Canal and River Thames, with excellence in customer service and comfort at our heart. Our team provides full safety briefings and lock training, so even complete beginners feel confident from the moment they cast off.
All parties welcome: families, couples, larger groups and four-legged friends alike. Awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, our guests return year after year.
Find Your Boat
Answer a few quick questions and we'll show you boats that suit your group and are available for your dates.
We'll be in touch shortly to confirm your booking.
Our Fleet
Named after Oxford's famous colleges. ClickTap any boat to explore it in detail.
Guest Reviews
We had such a great time! The team showed us how to open locks and handle the boat. We were total novices and felt completely prepared within an hour.
A week with the family on Balliol was absolutely wonderful. The canal was beautiful and Carys went above and beyond when we had a minor technical issue.
Having hired from many companies over 50 years, College Cruisers is one of the very best. Standard of boats, location and customer service are all exceptional.
Keble kept me warm and toasty even when it unexpectedly snowed. A cosy, beautifully appointed little boat and a team who were friendly and incredibly helpful.
A beautiful week cruising to Cropredy and back for our 30th anniversary. Everyone at College Cruisers was fantastic. A truly wonderful way to see England.
Clean, comfortable and so well equipped. The log burner in late October was a real treat. Carys and her team couldn't have done more to make our week special.
Common Questions
Useful Guides
The Oxford Canal
One of the most beautiful and varied waterways in Britain, winding through meadows, Cotswold stone villages and market towns at a gentle pace that lets you truly take it all in. The canal connects Oxford to Coventry and has 43 easy-to-operate locks along the way.
