Canal Wharf, Station Road, Lower Heyford, BICESTER, OX25 5PD, U.K.
Phone: 01869 340348 Or 0845 4561781 (local rate)
Holiday in style on the Canals & River Thames with Oxfordshire Narrowboats
We are a family owned & run company staffed by well trained canal enthusiasts who themselves holiday on our boats.
We have gained a reputation for top quality boats, personal service and high standards of cleaning and maintenance, which will make your holiday a time to remember with pleasure. We are often told by our customers that our boats are the best on the canals.
Our boatyard is normally open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and from March
to October we are also open on Sundays from 11am to 5pm. You are welcome look at
our boats and talk about boating before you book but please make sure you
telephone beforehand during the boating season so that we can let inform you of
what boats are in the yard.
Self steer day boats for up to 10 persons Two to twelve berth self-drive Narrowboats on the rural South Oxford Canal
Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the
beautiful, rural and friendly South Oxford Canal and Upper Thames. Narrowboats
are easy to operate and we explain how everything works when you arrive for your
holiday.
A canal holiday is one of the safest holidays on water. The speed limit is 4 miles an hour on the canal, 5 miles an hour on the Thames, and the Oxford Canal is only about 3ft. deep. We provide buoyancy aids free of charge.
Although mooring is more restricted on the Thames, on the canals you can moor nearly anywhere on the towpath side, provided you don't moor on bends or next to bridges and locks.
Finally in the unlikely event of your having a problem, we provide a 24 hour telephone and breakdown service - not just an answerphone - so that you can get any difficulties sorted out as quickly as possible.
About the boats
Our
boats have been individually designed to be stylish, comfortable, easily handled
by novices and suitable for people of all ages. They all have gas fired central
heating which heats the radiators, provides lots of hot water for sink, basins
and shower and warms the airing cupboard.
The galley is well equipped with all the glasses, crockery, pans and cutlery you need, together with a full-sized cooker and a good sized fridge with a small freezer compartment. We can also arrange for a grocery order to be delivered to the boat ready for when you arrive.
All the boats are fully insulated, with doors between all cabins, flush toilets, at least 6' 1" headroom, more space per person than most hire boats, lots of storage space and a radio cassette player. There is a set of waterproofs for the helmsman in case it rains, and a raised seat so that you can steer in comfort.
All our boats have been built with safety in mind. In particular, all boats are built with raised sides to the front outside seating area, and with seating and a rear guard rail at the back of the boat for extra safety. There is also plenty of seating for all inside the boat.
You
won't have to worry about filling up with gas or diesel as we supply more than
enough to last your whole holiday. Although all our boats have a large water
tank, you will need to top it up daily.
All our boats are licensed for British Waterways canals and rivers. Thames licences can be purchased from any Thames lock keeper.
We provide a comprehensive manual on all our boats, so that you can check anything you need to know - from how to turn off the central heating to the opening times of local shops.
We are almost unique in offering:- totally inclusive holiday fares including towels, bedding, all fuel, parking, cancellation insurance etc.
About the South Oxford Canal
The South Oxford Canal, which has single width locks, is famous for its lift bridges. Today most of them are only used by local farmers and many are left permanently open for boats to pass.
James Brindley, the original Engineer for the canal, designed it to minimise the number of locks. The result is a winding canal which is never in a hurry to get anywhere.
At its northern end the canal joins the Grand Union, which provides the link with the North Oxford Canal and at its southern end the South Oxford Canal passes through the centre of Oxford and joins the River Thames at Isis Lock. Halfway along the canal, the historic town of Banbury, famous for its cross and cakes provides a useful and pleasant shopping centre.
Places to see
OXFORD - Apollo Theatre, Blackwells Bookshops, Colleges, Ice Rink, Leisure Centres, Museums & Art Galleries, Oxford Playhouse, Shops & Covered Market, Sightseeing Tours, The Oxford Story
BLENHEIM PALACE, HAMPTON GAY, KIRTLINGTON, ROUSHAM HOUSE, AYNHOE PARK, BANBURY, CLAYDON, CROPREDY, FARNBOROUGH HALL
PLUS: Village pubs, walks, beautiful countryside with varied flora & fauna including kingfishers, herons, badgers & many more.
Dayboats
Daydream is a practical wheel steered launch style Narrowboat At 27ft long she
offers a large front area with roll up covers for adverse weather, and the
steering position is located here too. Towards the stern is a cabin and separate
toilet compartment. She even has a chimney which emits simulated smoke! Fully
refitted for 2004 with water, flush toilet and washbasin
Maximum 10 persons
Hire charges:
Low season: Weekdays £90/day - Weekends £110/day
High season: Weekdays £110/day - Weekends £125/day
For further information please visit our website:- http://www.oxfordshirenarrowboats.co.uk
or Email: info@oxfordshire-narrowboats.co.uk
Oxfordshire Narrowboats
Canal Wharf, Station Road, Lower Heyford, Bicester, OX25 5PD.
Phone: 01869 340348 or 0845 4561781 (local rate)
