Oxford River Cruise and Six Course Tasting Menu

Drift past Oxford's colleges, then taste your way through a seasonal menu on the water

A 2.5-hour river cruise and dinner combining a 45-minute Edwardian launch journey along the Thames with a six-course tasting menu at The Folly Riverside Restaurant in Oxford. The cruise passes Christ Church College, Christchurch Meadows and the University boat houses while a glass of Champagne is served; you then disembark for your meal either inside the restaurant or on the floating river terrace. A wine pairing is available to add to the tasting menu, or you can choose from the wine list.

Step-by-step itinerary

River cruise and six-course tasting

• Board Edwardian River Launch
• Cruise along River Thames
• Pass Christ Church College and meadows
• Enjoy complementary glass of Champagne
• Disembark at The Folly restaurant
• Dine six-course tasting menu

The Experience

The experience starts with boarding one of the elegant Edwardian River Launches for a 45-minute cruise along the Thames. You'll pass Folly Bridge, Christchurch Meadows, the University boat houses and part of the Regatta course while a complementary glass of Champagne is served. The timing often catches the river as the light softens in the late afternoon, which is when the water and the college buildings show their best.

After the cruise, you disembark at The Folly, where the six-course tasting menu unfolds in charming surroundings. You can choose to dine inside the restaurant or on the floating river terrace, depending on the weather and your preference. The menu showcases seasonal dishes, and the kitchen can prepare a vegetarian option if you need one. A wine pairing (£39 per person) is available to complement each course, or you can select from the comprehensive wine list yourself.

The whole outing runs 2.5 hours from start to finish. Dress code is smart casual, and the minimum age is 18. Service animals are welcome, and public transportation options are available nearby if you're traveling without a car.

What’s included

• 45-minute river cruise on an Edwardian launch along the Thames.
• complementary glass of Champagne during the cruise.
• six-course tasting menu at The Folly Riverside Restaurant.
• choice of dining inside or on the floating river terrace.
• vegetarian menu option available.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Oxford River Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a shared evening experience that combines sightseeing and fine dining without splitting your time between two separate venues — the river and the meal flow into each other, so you're not traveling between locations or managing two separate reservations.

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Top questions

What do you see on the river cruise in Oxford?

The 45-minute cruise passes Folly Bridge, Christchurch Meadows, Christ Church College, the University boat houses and part of the Regatta course along the Thames. A glass of Champagne is served while you're on the water.

Can I choose where to sit for dinner at The Folly?

Yes, you can dine either inside the restaurant or on the floating river terrace, so you can decide based on the weather and what you prefer for the evening.

Is there a vegetarian option for the tasting menu?

A vegetarian option is available for the six-course tasting menu; let the operator know when you book if you need it.

How long does the whole experience take?

The river cruise and tasting menu experience runs 2.5 hours total, including the 45-minute cruise and the meal at The Folly.

Can I add wine pairings to the meal?

A six-course wine pairing is available for £39 per person to accompany the tasting menu, or you can choose from the restaurant's wine list instead.