About Benson

Benson is located at the quiet and rural end of the Thames where the river is flanked by rolling countryside and farmland and quaint villages. Moorings are easy to find and the distance between locks is slightly greater than at the river’s eastern end – which means more cruising. The dreaming spires and universities of Oxford is a 6hr cruise to the west of Benson. Or, head east and in 6hrs you’ll be in Henley-on-Thames, home of British rowing. Royal Windsor is 12 hrs from Benson.

From Benson it is:

  • 15hrs (22 locks) to our base in Chertsey

View our Benson base on Google Maps

What you get on the base

Facilities

Toilets and showers 

Wifi

Extras & options for your cruise

The following extras are available to prebook or purchase locally at this base. A reduced fee will apply to items that are prebooked. Please see 'Vacation Extras' for more details about each extra. Restrictions apply.

 

Practical extras

Early check-in & late check-out

Boat cleaning

Parking - (see 'Travel info' tab)

Car transfer (see 'Travel info' tab)

Eco cleaning pack

Lantern

Top-deck cushions

Fun extras

Bike hire

Special occasion gift baskets

Opening hours

Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat: 9am – 5pm. Tue and Thu: 10am – 4pm. Sun: Closed | If there is no one at the base at a specific time during these hours, the phone number below will be diverted and an alternative number will also be displayed at the base.

Address

Le Boat Benson Waterfront Benson
Oxon
OX10 6SJ
United Kingdom

Telephone

+44 (0) 1491 824 067

Travel to Benson

By train

Closest train stations:

  • Cholsey: 8km
  • Reading: 20km
  • Oxford: 20km
  • Didcot: 16km

By Road

Be prepared

It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with local road rules and abide by them. Most European countries have a list of compulsory equipment that you must take with you. For driving advice and a list of the equipment you'll need, please visit https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe

 

Directions

The Benson base is situated on the A4074 between Oxford and Reading. From London take the M40 and head west, exiting at junction 7. Turn left onto the A329 and follow signs towards Wallingford. Stay on the A329, passing through Little Milton, Stadhampton, Newington and Warborough. At Shillingford, turn left at the roundabout onto the A4074 towards Reading. Follow this road for 0.9miles until you reach another roundabout (you’ll see a McDonalds and a BP garage ahead of you). Go straight over and continue for another 0.4miles. The entrance to the base is on the right hand side, look out for the sign that says ‘WATERFRONT’.

Car rental

  • Eurodrive UK: Riches Sidings, Lower Broadway, Didcot OX11 8AG, UK (15 Min from the base)
  • Oxford: Hertz Ferry Hinksey Rd, Osney, Oxford OX2 0ES, UK
  • Reading : 6-8 Commercial Rd, Reading RG2 0QZ, UK
  • Gatwick airport 
  • Heathrow airport

Parking

Secure parking onsite (pre-bookable extra – fee applies).

No van or trailor space.

By air

Closest airports:

  • London Heathrow : 61 km (M25)
  • Gatwick : 120 km (M25)

To book a taxi to or from the base you can contact the number below.

 

Triple A Cars’ (+44 (0) 1189 504 030 | [email protected])

 

Approximate price (4 passengers) from:

 

  • Heathrow Airport £76
  • Gatwick Airport £106
  • Reading Train Station £39

Arrival at Benson

For more details about:

  • when to arrive at our bases
  • what to expect when you arrive 
  • how to prepare for check-in
  • what happens on your final day when you return your boat

visit our 'arrivals' page.

Local info

Payment Means

Please note that your security deposit, engine hours deposit (see compulsory costs) & any extras added at the base and are required to be paid in local currency by card. Our bases accept Visa & Mastercard, but not American Express. 

Hotels

The Crown Inn - Tel: +44 (0) 1 491 838 331.

The Three horseshoes - Tel: +44 (0) 1 491 838 242

The George Hotel - Tel: +44 (0) 1 491 836 665

The Boat House - Tel: +44 (0) 1 491 833 188

The Opium Den - Tel: +44 (0) 1 865 248 680

 

Restaurants

The Three Horseshoes – Tel: +44 (0) 1 491 838 242

The George Hotel – Tel: +44 (0) 1 865 340 404

Stoneys – Tel: +44 (0) 1 491 836 249

The Opium Den - Tel: +44 (0) 1865 248680

 

Shopping

There are restaurants, shops and a greengrocer all nearby. There is no bank at Benson but there is a cash back facility at the supermarket.

 

Supermarket opening times: Monday – Thursday 8.00am to 7.00pm Friday – 8.00am to 8.00pm Saturday – 9.00 to 6.00pm Sunday – 9.00am to 5.00pm

 

Fishing

Fishing is allowed but the close season is between 17th March – 16th June. A Fishing License is required and is available from any main or sub post office, it is recommended that you obtain your license before you leave home. Cost is approximately £6.50 for a licence covering 8 days (children under 12 do not require a licence).

 

Electric car charging points

In nearest village (Wallingford), 1,5 mile from base. (2,5 km)

'Pod Point' Lupton Rd, Wallingford OX10 9BS