Oxford Cherwell Punting: Guided Boat & Waterfowl Feeding

Drift downriver while an experienced punter steers and you feed the waterfowl

A guided punting trip on the Cherwell in Oxford, where an experienced punter propels and steers the boat while you sit back and watch the river unfold. You'll drift past the gardens of Wolfson College and the Dragons preparatory school, with the option to bring a picnic and feed the swans, ducks, moorhens and geese that live along the banks. The guide handles all the poling so you simply enjoy the green scenery and the rhythm of the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Relaxing punting trip on river Cherwell

• Board punt with experienced guide
• Enjoy chauffeured trip along river Cherwell
• View gardens of Wolfson College and Dragons School
• Feed waterfowl from picnic if desired

The experience

Punting on the Cherwell is one of Oxford's oldest leisure traditions, and this trip puts you in the boat without needing to learn the pole yourself. An experienced punter does all the work, propelling the flat-bottomed boat downriver while you settle in and watch the colleges and gardens slip past. The route takes you along the backs of Wolfson College and past the Dragons preparatory school, where the riverbanks are lined with the kind of green space that makes Oxford feel removed from the city around it.

You're free to bring a picnic and feed the waterfowl as you drift: swans, ducks, moorhens and geese gather along this stretch of river and are accustomed to visitors. The guide will point out the landmarks and the wildlife, keeping the pace unhurried so you can take it all in. The whole outing runs about an hour, long enough to feel like a proper afternoon out but short enough to fit around the rest of a day in Oxford.

What’s included

• An experienced punter to guide and steer the boat.
• the flat-bottomed punt itself.
• and a leisurely hour on the Cherwell with time to watch the riverside scenery and feed the waterfowl.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day102 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Walking tour company

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and delivers the commentary live, so you'll hear the stories of the colleges and the river as you drift past them. This works well for anyone who wants to relax on the water without learning to pole a boat themselves, and for families with young children or anyone who prefers to sit back rather than do the physical work.

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Top questions

Can I bring food and feed the birds on the Cherwell?

Yes, feeding waterfowl from the boat is allowed and encouraged. Swans, ducks, moorhens and geese live along the river and are used to being fed. Bringing a picnic means you can eat while drifting and share scraps with the birds, though the operator asks that you avoid touching the waterbirds themselves, as some are protected species.

What does the punter actually do on the boat?

The punter stands at the stern and uses a long pole to push the boat along the riverbed, steering and propelling you downriver. You sit in the boat and relax while they handle all the physical work, so you don't need any experience or strength to enjoy the trip.

Which Oxford landmarks and colleges does the route pass?

The Cherwell trip takes you past the gardens of Wolfson College and the Dragons preparatory school, drifting through the green spaces and riverside views that make this stretch of Oxford distinctive. The guide will point out the sights as you float past.

Is this punting trip suitable for young children?

Infants and small children can come along: infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and small children sit with an adult in the boat. The pace is relaxed and the boat is stable, making it a gentle outing for families, though children should be comfortable sitting still for about an hour.