Mrs p curtis Fantastic time. boat was spotlessly clean on pick up . Staff where very friendly and help full. Would recommend this holiday with this company 10/10

A get away for parents, with kids joining later Having been on my bucket list, finally getting away for a few days without the kids on a canal boat sounded like bliss. We were fortunate to find the College... read moreHaving been on my bucket list, finally getting away for a few days without the kids on a canal boat sounded like bliss. We were fortunate to find the College Cruisers website and booked a week on Magdalen. Booking was simple and Carys was super helpful. We arrived on Oxford a bit early and left the car at the boatyard for a spot of lunch and to stock up on food and drink. Top tip - take lots of nibbles as it's hungry work! We were shown round the boat what to do in an emergency, how to steer, operating locks, mooring (tieing up!) and generally made to feel very welcome. Then after a little practice, off we headed north out of Oxford. The boat was very well equipped from bedding to cheese graters and more. Our lighter for the wood burner ran out but 57p for a box of matches is nothing for a roaring fire on a cold evening 🙂 We spent three days heading north up to Cropredy, north of Banbury, where we met up with Family, turned the boat round and my 10 and 12 year old joined us. Our dog loved jumping on and off the boat at various locks and bridges, and all of the pubs we stopped at were dog friendly, with great food. There were plenty of places to moor along the canal, and lots of pubs. We did miss one shop... Having been on my bucket list, finally getting away for a few days without the kids on a canal boat sounded like bliss.
We were fortunate to find the College Cruisers website and booked a week on Magdalen. Booking was simple and Carys was super helpful.

We arrived on Oxford a bit early and left the car at the boatyard for a spot of lunch and to stock up on food and drink. Top tip - take lots of nibbles as it's hungry work!

We were shown round the boat what to do in an emergency, how to steer, operating locks, mooring (tieing up!) and generally made to feel very welcome.

Then after a little practice, off we headed north out of Oxford.

The boat was very well equipped from bedding to cheese graters and more. Our lighter for the wood burner ran out but 57p for a box of matches is nothing for a roaring fire on a cold evening 🙂

We spent three days heading north up to Cropredy, north of Banbury, where we met up with Family, turned the boat round and my 10 and 12 year old joined us.

Our dog loved jumping on and off the boat at various locks and bridges, and all of the pubs we stopped at were dog friendly, with great food.

There were plenty of places to moor along the canal, and lots of pubs. We did miss one shop so do make sure you have stocked up well otherwise you 'have' to have another pub meal 🙂

The boat was sturdy enough to withstand the knocks of a novice, but comfortable for an evening of cards, reading and relaxing. There was plenty of room, storage space and even the dogs bed had a choice of spaces.

As first timers we thoroughly loved it and know that we will be back on the canals again soon! More read less

Very nice. Very friendly staff. Good boats. Great service. Superb family holiday. Good value. Dogs welcome.
Absolutely brilliant.
Thank you very much! Recommend to everyone!!!

Perfect trip for our mini-moon After holding out on booking the trip to see what the weather would be, we booked on a Monday for a Tuesday through Saturday trip and all the booking details... read moreAfter holding out on booking the trip to see what the weather would be, we booked on a Monday for a Tuesday through Saturday trip and all the booking details were handled perfectly by Carys over the phone. We were greeted on Tuesday by Charlie, a wonderful chap from Donny, at the yard who gave us a comprehensive and enjoyable introduction to canal boating on our boat, the Hertford. He really put us at ease with what was going to be involved for the following days, this being our first experience of boating, and may sure we felt confident in the various tasks involved.

We managed to get as far Hayford before turning around and heading back, which was perfect for the 4 night duration. The most beautiful countryside starts near Thrupp and continues north - at this point we recommend following Charlie’s advice and going as slow as you can to really enjoy the scenery.

We dropped the boat off on Saturday morning feeling both elated and exhausted. I can’t imagine this will be the last time we’ll do this and hope the next trip will be with College Cruisers again as they’re a wonderful team with great boats and deserve continuing success! read less

Very nice. Very friendly staff. Good boats. Great service. Superb family holiday. Children loved it! Good value. Dogs welcome.
Absolutely brilliant.
Thank you very much! Recommend to everyone!!!

A great family company, relaxing break Returning to college cruisers for a break was a seriously good idea. They are great quality & well maintained boats on this beautiful stretch of water. The team are on... read moreReturning to college cruisers for a break was a seriously good idea. They are great quality & well maintained boats on this beautiful stretch of water. The team are on hand and helpful from the first contact when booking until drop off at the end of the trip. Thank you for a relaxing time. (the perfect Covoid break, vertically no contact with other humans!) read less

Great people, lovely boats. All round very welcoming wonderful way to spend a few days relaxing.

We are quite frequent renters and this was by far the best experience to-date. We had the Pembroke and as the advert says, you would never know it was... read moreWe are quite frequent renters and this was by far the best experience to-date. We had the Pembroke and as the advert says, you would never know it was a rental. Easy check in and check out, well maintained and great ammenities on board (large fridge by boat standards, two toilets, large kitchen and dining area, etc.). We would happily rent this boat (or one of the others) again. read less