Lovely trip and excellent service Six friends rented "Balliol" to sail up the Thames from Oxford over a long weekend. The boat was excellent, very well equipped and comfortable. It has been newly refurbished. College... read moreSix friends rented "Balliol" to sail up the Thames from Oxford over a long weekend. The boat was excellent, very well equipped and comfortable. It has been newly refurbished. College Cruisers were very helpful, friendly and gave lots of good advice. Someone came with us for the first half an hour or so, so we felt confident about operating the boat. Heading up the windy twists and turns of a great river like the Thames was a joy. I'd highly recommend College Cruisers. read less

Thank you! We have had an excellent few days in a great boat. Excellent service throughout.

A Great Holiday Afloat We chose the Oxford Canal because it has a good supply of pubs and locks - both of which make for an interesting trip.

Carys and her team gave... read moreWe chose the Oxford Canal because it has a good supply of pubs and locks - both of which make for an interesting trip.

Carys and her team gave us a warm welcome and provided a well-equipped narrowboat. As reasonably experienced canal boaters, we were given just the right amount of instruction. Handing back the boat was very straightforward. We will use College Cruisers again when the opportunity arises. read less

First time narrow boater The good ship Exeter was very comfortable for 5 of us (it does apparently sleep 10 but that would be VERY cosy). It was spotlessly clean and very well equipped.... read moreThe good ship Exeter was very comfortable for 5 of us (it does apparently sleep 10 but that would be VERY cosy). It was spotlessly clean and very well equipped. The hand over and explanation was very clear and all the staff at the yard were really helpful. I would definately recommend college cruisers. We were lucky with the weather, the scenery was glorious and a very good time was had by all. read less

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

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

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

An Amazing Experience! My husband and I spent an enchanting week on the boat, the Somerville, cruising north on the Oxford Canal. This was our first time, and we weren't... read moreMy husband and I spent an enchanting week on the boat, the Somerville, cruising north on the Oxford Canal. This was our first time, and we weren't sure what to expect, however we were given amazing instructions on maneuvering the boat and locks. The Somerville was comfortable, clean and had everything you could possibly need. Carys and Charly as well as the rest of the crew were amazing! So helpful, and supportive, we could not have asked for more. The trip was so peaceful, beautiful and the towns we stopped , charming, and so much fun, especially our pub stops. We were able to stop and shop for provisions, and explore the areas. Everyone on the canal was friendly, kind, helpful, it was pure joy! If you're looking for an experience of a lifetime, we highly recommend College Cruisers, you will not be disappointed! We cannot wait to go again, and try a different route! read less