Oxford To Banbury
LEAVING OXFORD
Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Oxford, your journey now takes you northward towards Thrupp, immersing you in the enchanting world of North Oxford. As you glide along, catch glimpses into the lives and gardens of locals, offering a unique perspective on canal-side living. Be mindful as you pass through the bustling canal community in Oxford, showing respect for the moored boats that serve as people's homes.
Upon reaching Wolvercote, your first lock awaits, signaling the start of action for your crew. Just before the lock lies The Plough Inn, a perfect overnight stop on your return journey, conveniently close to our boatyard. Alternatively, consider the Anchor at bridge 240 or mooring opposite our boatyard, a mere 15-minute stroll from the city center. Many opt to return to Oxford a day early to delve deeper into the renowned university city.
Following the operation of Wolvercote lock, it's wise to have at least one crew member disembark as you approach the first lift bridge, followed by another shortly after, and then Dukes Lock. Once past these obstacles, regroup on board and continue your journey.
After two more locks and approximately two hours of cruising past Kidlington and Yarnton, you'll encounter another canal community at Langford Lane. Show courtesy and reduce speed as you pass, respecting the residents' homes. Around the bend, the picturesque village of Thrupp will soon come into view, marking the next chapter of your canal adventure.
THRUPP
Thrupp welcomes you with its charming canal-side setting and two delightful eateries, The Jolly Boatman and The Boat, conveniently located near visitor moorings. Take care as you pass by the numerous private boats moored along the canal. Thrupp is a bustling hub for both walkers and boaters, with easy access to catch a bus on the main road for a visit to nearby Blenheim Palace in Woodstock. Fun fact: scenes from the beloved Inspector Morse series were filmed right here in Thrupp, including at the house just outside our boatyard gates in Oxford!
As you glide beneath yet another lift bridge and along the scenic Thrupp Wide, you'll enter the serene Cherwell Valley. The canal's contour design becomes evident as you spot the Shipston-on-Cherwell church perched on the bank to your left. The canal gracefully curves around the churchyard while the River Cherwell flows alongside, offering picturesque views of meadows to your right.
Approaching Shipston Weir lock, with its distinctive diamond shape, the canal merges briefly with the River Cherwell for about a mile. Keep to the right to avoid collisions, especially around bends where visibility may be limited. Take advantage of another excellent opportunity for a dog walk up to Bakers lock, where the river diverges from the canal under a charming iron bridge, only to rejoin later and run parallel to Banbury.
Continuing onward through Bakers Lock, you'll pass the bustling marina at Enslow. Exercise caution as you navigate past these boats, as they are treasured possessions of their owners. Keep an eye out for boats undergoing maintenance out of the water. Beyond the marina lies the winding hole – just remember, it's not at the marina itself!
KIRTLINGTON
As you journey forward, the route becomes enveloped in woodland, creating a natural tunnel for you to navigate through. To your left, the river now accompanies your path, adding to the serene ambiance. Continuing gently onward, the canal guides you towards Pigeons Lock, where you'll pass by Kirtlington golf course – keep an eye out for the swans who've made the tee their home.
Ahead, Pigeons Lock beckons, offering an opportunity to disembark and stroll into the village of Kirtlington, about a mile away. Here, you'll find two excellent gastro pubs – The Dashwood and The Oxford Arms – perfect for a special occasion or simply a satisfying meal.
Beyond Pigeons Lock, you'll encounter a charming tea room on your right, a delightful spot for indulging in a homemade cream tea on Sundays. As you pass through, you'll enter a magical realm of water and trees reminiscent of Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons. Kirtlington quarry awaits, inviting children to explore its wooded paths and expansive open spaces, complete with information boards and the chance to discover dinosaur fossils. It's an idyllic setting for an evening barbecue, offering a sense of tranquility beneath a star-filled sky.
Moving on to Northbrook Lock, you'll bid farewell to the hidden wooded section, greeted by the surrounding hills and easily accessible river. Exercise caution as you navigate a tight bend with a picturesque stone bridge, remaining vigilant for boats approaching from the north. As the canal begins to ascend and locks grow deeper, Dashwood Lock treats you to breathtaking views of the sprawling countryside. Delightful glimpses of the River Cherwell accompany your journey, dotted with charming mooring spots and a sense of exploration as you weave through the reeds.
LOWER HEYFORD
Your next destination awaits at Lower Heyford, offering a brief connection to the real world. The nearby train station provides convenience for dropping off or collecting crew members. Oxfordshire Narrowboats boasts a well-stocked shop, while Kizzies bistro offers a tempting spot for lunch. For those seeking a leisurely stroll, a charming circular walk awaits around the delightful village of Lower Heyford.
Continuing your journey, progress is slow and steady as you navigate past moored boats and a narrow canal section. Once again, peek into the back gardens of locals and pass by an intriguing, rickety treehouse. As you approach a lift bridge, consider a detour to The Bell for refreshments or a well-cooked evening meal, crossing the canal for a warm welcome.
The canal meanders northward through the picturesque Cherwell Valley, embarking on the ascent with locks becoming increasingly remote. Traverse through water meadows where curious cows may wander down for a closer look or even dip into the canal.
Beyond Heyford Common Lock, your journey leads you through the scenic Cherwell Valley towards the village of Somerton. Here, you'll find ample space for an overnight stay by the meadow, ideal for a barbecue under the stars (don't forget to stock up in Banbury for the return journey). Don't be surprised to wake up to curious neighbors as inquisitive cows saunter over to greet you.
SOMERTON
As you navigate between locks, keep an eye out for a collection of wooden sculptures by Michael Fairfax, skillfully crafted from old lock timbers. Adorned with a poem titled "Lock" by James McKendrick, these sculptures add a touch of artistry to your journey.
Somerton Lock awaits, boasting the title of the deepest lock on the canal. As you ascend 12 feet within its confines, take a moment to appreciate the magnificent view that unfolds once the lock is filled and you've risen to the surface.
Beyond Somerton Deep Lock, the canal continues its picturesque route towards Aynho. Flanked by the flat floodplain of the River Cherwell on one side and railway lines on the other, you'll catch sight of the impressive viaduct. Protected from winter flooding by an embankment, the canal offers a splendid viewing platform to admire the surrounding countryside.
AYNHO
As you approach Aynho, glide past the moored canal boats with care, maintaining a leisurely pace. Here, you'll find the excellent Great Western Arms, a charming pub and restaurant conveniently situated right alongside the canal. Another option is the Duke of Clifton, though a bit of a walk from the canal, they may offer collection from your boat upon request.
Continuing past Aynho Wharf, the canal passes beneath another unique lift bridge, offering some inviting overnight moorings. At Aynho Weir, marked by another diamond-shaped lock, the River Cherwell intersects the canal, presenting a striking contrast in water color.
A short distance ahead lies Nells Bridge. If you're on foot, exercise caution as you cross the bustling main road to reach the lock. Take special care when cruising with children and pets, as there's no gate separating the towpath from the road, and the lock entrance is narrow. Just beyond Nells Lock, you'll come across The Pig Place – true to its name, it offers moorings, a farm shop, and delicious food, renowned for its hearty breakfasts. Once through, your journey continues onwards to Banbury.
BANBURY
The canal once again becomes woody and seemingly remote but you will suddenly become conscious of the roar of traffic as you pass under the M40 motorway. Happily you are soon able to leave this behind. King’s Sutton Lock is soon upon you, with its delightful lock cottage and pretty surrounding countryside, before you head through to the outskirts of Banbury, and into the hustle and bustle of the town centre. (You can moor in the town centre with shops galore just outside your window!)
Banbury is full of history and it is well worth spending time exploring and restocking the fridge for your return or onward journey. It also has a large park with playground, plenty of dog-friendly areas and interesting conservation zones.
If you are only with us for a short break this is where we suggest you turn around and begin your journey South, back to the dreaming spires of Oxford. The journey home will be every bit as interesting; you will be able to call in on the pubs you missed or even re-visit ones you enjoyed. Moor in the place where someone said “that would be a good spot to stop”, but just that bit too late for you to put the brakes on. And don’t forget to barbecue on the meadow at Somerton Mill. See you back in Oxford!
Our Customer Reviews
Amazing time had! Massive thanks to Carys and her team - especially Chris as he made the information session entertaining and made sure we were confident!
Would absolutely do this again on another trip!!
We were given a helpful map with recommended stopping points, which made exploring the scenic canal so easy and enjoyable. It was such a treat to slow down and take life at a gentler pace for a few days.
Carys and the team were fantastic, so friendly and attentive, nothing was too much trouble. A brilliant family-run business that we’d highly recommend. Thank you for a wonderful holiday
I phoned a number of boat yards and was quoted weeks before they could help! College Cruisers had one of their engineers on our boat in less than an hour and booked into their marina with a minimal of delay. Having determined that we needed a new alternator, they loaned us a used one as a stop-gap until a new one could be fitted - no charge for the loan!
Their whole team was knowledgeable, amazingly friendly and helpful. I cannot recommend them enough; if I need any assistance in the future, they will definitely be my first port-of-call.
College Cruisers are ideally located at the end of the Oxford Canal. Even though many canals are closed this year, due to a lack of water, boats leaving from their marina have navigable access to a long stretch of the canal. Additionally, the River Thames is only a few hundred meters away.
Also, because of the short distance to a lock, clients benefit from lock navigation training - something few other charter companies can offer.
Our dealings with them could not have been more pleasant. The owner was extremely accommodating and kind when we experienced an illness in the family that required adjusting our plans, and when we had a minor mechanical difficulty, they dispatched a gentleman (who had to make a long trip) to rectify the problem. He was so nice and interesting we almost asked him to join us on the trip!
The boats themselves were very well stocked with (in our case) the necessities of cooking and baking that we were quite happy to make our (gourmet )meals on the boat when no pub was available.The boats were clean and beds were comfy and we had a great training session and introduction on how to operate the boats efficiently. Everyone we dealt with was very friendly, helpful and accommodating and we would highly recommend using this family operated company for your Narrowboat experience. The Oxford canal was a beautiful and a less busy canal than others we have been on, and we never had any problems finding a beautiful and quiet spot to moor for the night.
A thorough and friendly intro to the boat and off we went with top tips, detailed maps / guidebook and many thoughtful additional touches like firewood/coal, waterproofs for the inevitable rain and ice in the freezer for the equally inevitable G&Ts.
Such a beautiful part of the world to explore with herons, nesting swans, birds of prey above and ducklings below. Great pubs and restaurants along the way too.
Highly recommended - you won't be disappointed by Carys and her team at College Cruisers.
A very special thank you to The College Cruisers team who were absolutely lovely to us, especially to my autistic, boat enthusiast, son Thomas.
The team at College Cruisers was friendly and helpful. The pre-brief was excellent and prepared a novice for navigating the locks and canal system.
Highly recommend this wonderful excursion to anyone, novice or pro, and recommend College Cruiser!
Thank you Carys and your team.
We look forward to returning again next year.
The team at the yard in Oxford showed us how to open and close locks and the basic handling of the boat .
We were very impressed with our boat,it had all we needed for a great break
The canal is very picturesque although its shallow in places and care must be taken near moored craft ..
All in all a lovely break on a very nice boat .
Highly recommend
Funafloat Ltd trading as College Cruisers Registered in England and Wales
No: 03469314
VAT: 685699260