Oxford Canal
Oxford Canal boat hire, direct from owners
One of the oldest and prettiest contour canals in the country, winding from Oxford up through Cropredy and Napton to Braunston.
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Where to cruise on the Oxford Canal
Oxford to Thrupp
Out of the city in an hour and into open countryside, with lift bridges and a famous towpath pub at the end.
Thrupp to Lower Heyford
The Cherwell valley at its best. Narrow locks, water meadows and almost no road noise.
Banbury to Cropredy
A town centre mooring right by the shops, then five easy locks to one of the friendliest villages on the cut.
Napton Flight
Nine locks climbing to the summit level, with wide views back over Warwickshire.
The Oxford Canal is managed by the Canal & River Trust.
Oxford Canal hire, the practical bits
Do I need a licence to hire a boat?
No. The owner holds the boat's licence and the hire endorsement that lets it be hired out. You just turn up and cruise.
Do I need experience?
No. Every owner runs a hands-on handover before you set off, covering steering, mooring, locks and the safety kit on board.
How is BoatStays different from a hire fleet?
You book the owner's own boat and deal with them directly. They know the water, the moorings and the good pubs, and you get their number for the whole trip.
Are the locks hard work?
The southern Oxford is narrow beam, so the gates are light and single-handed working is normal. Most take five to ten minutes.
The southern Oxford is shallow at the edges. Moor where the bank is piled and you will avoid grounding.