Benson RETURN via Oxford 3-Night Itinerary
Set off from Benson on a leisurely cruise on the River Thames, following a round-trip route along peaceful stretches of water framed by rolling hills and lush farmland. Your itinerary leads to Abingdon, a historic market town where pretty gardens, riverside walks and local museums offer plenty to explore. Continue on to Oxford, England’s famous city of learning, where centuries of academic tradition blend with lively cafés, galleries and stunning architecture along the water’s edge. As you make your way back to Benson, enjoy the river from a fresh perspective. Perfect for both first-time and seasoned boaters, this relaxing journey combines cultural highlights with the simple pleasures of life on board.
Suggested Itinerary
Arrive at base
2pm – 3pm
After you have arrived and checked-in, we’ll show you to your boat as quickly as possible. Spend time settling in, freshen up and await your pre-departure briefing which will be given by one of our base technicians. They will familiarise you with the boat’s domestic systems and give you a hands-on demonstration of the boat controls and how to operate it. They will make sure you are comfortable and confident controlling the boat, as well as navigating the waterway, before you set off.
Food for the journey: While part of your crew is settling on the boat, you can buy some provisions and food for any meals you decide to enjoy on board. There’s a Co-op Food only a 2-minute drive from the base, and bigger supermarkets (Waitrose and Lidl) in nearby Wallingford if you prefer – only a 7-minute drive away.
Benson > Clifton Hampden
5:15pm – 6:30pm
Approx. 1 hr 15 mins | 1 lock
Moor up at the overnight moorings just before Clifton Lock. Enjoy the serenity of the surroundings – the gentle sound of flowing water and wide skies make this a perfect first night on board. Alternatively, if time allows, carry on up to Abingdon. There are plenty of great overnight moorings in the centre of the town.
Dinner at Barley Mow, Clifton Hampden
7pm – 9pm
Barley Mow is a 10-minute walk from your mooring and serves excellent food alongside a good selection of drinks. It’s a lovely first stop on your journey. Bookings recommended: barley-mow/book
Overnight in Clifton Hampden
Breakfast on board
7am – 8am
Clifton Hampden > Abingdon
8am – 10:10am
Approx. 2 hrs 10 mins | 2 locks
Explore Abingdon
10:30am – 12:30pm
A picturesque market town full of character, with over 56 historic buildings from the 17th century and earlier, and archaeological evidence of settlement going back 6,000 years. Abingdon is considered Britain’s oldest continually inhabited town. Explore historic Abingdon with a stroll around the remains of the Abbey and through the impressive 1920’s folly in the Abbey Gardens. The County City Hall Museum is also worth a visit, if just for the panoramic views from its roof. Despite its ancient roots, it’s also known for MG car manufacturing and for pioneering free public wi-fi in the UK.
Lunch at The Nag’s Head, Abingdon
12:30pm – 1:30pm
A must-visit restaurant! Situated on the Abingdon bridge, The Nag’s Head showcases an array of fresh, season dishes prepared with a careful blend of locally sourced ingredients. With a buzzing atmosphere and views worth writing home about, you’ll not be disappointed.
Bookings recommended: thenagsheadonthethames.co.uk | 01235 639023 | Closed on Sundays.
Abingdon > Oxford
2:10pm – 5pm
Approx. 2 hrs 50 mins | 3 locks
The approach to the city is delightful, as tree-lined banks gradually give way to the spires and domes of this historic city.
Explore Oxford
5:15pm – 7pm
Soak up the atmosphere of Oxford, the renowned City of Dreaming Spires. With over 900 years of academic history, the city is rich in culture and architecture. Explore the magnificent Christ Church College, the Bodleian Library, or the Radcliffe Camera, or simply wander the cobbled streets and enjoy the cafés and boutiques.
Dinner at The Folly, Oxford
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Dine riverside at The Folly, an eclectic, eccentric, relaxed and sophisticated restaurant, showcasing the very best of Oxford. Enjoy dinner with the river flowing past the terrace and the elegant spires that rise around you. Bookings recommended: the-folly.co.uk/book-now
You can now book a private dining dome, offering a unique private dining experience for couples, families and small groups of friends. For bookings: the-folly.co.uk/dining-domes
Overnight in Oxford
Breakfast at The Paper Boat Cafe, Oxford
8am – 9am
Enjoy a perfect farewell to Oxford at this charming riverside café, known for its excellent coffee and unforgettable breakfasts. Treat yourself to freshly baked pastries and soak up the relaxed, local atmosphere before you set off. Just across the bridge from The Folly Restaurant. Closed on Mondays.
Take a peek at their socials: Instagram
Oxford > Abingdon
9:30am – 12:20pm
Approx. 2 hrs 50 mins | 3 locks
Lunch on board, Abingdon
12:30pm – 2pm
Abingdon > Benson
2pm – 5:25pm
Approx. 3 hrs 25 mins | 3 locks
Explore Benson
5:30pm – 7pm
Before dinner, enjoy a walk into Benson village, which is very pretty.
Dinner at Waterfront Café, Benson
7pm – 9pm
Conveniently located at our Benson base, this friendly riverside café is perfect for a relaxed bite after your 3-night cruise. Enjoy homemade dishes, freshly baked cakes, and lovely Thames views from the outdoor deck of the Waterfront Café. No bookings necessary.
Take a peek at their socials: Instagram | Facebook
If you’ve already sampled their delights, we can also recommend the Three Hourseshoes. Bookings recommended: +44 (01491 838242 | threehorseshoesbenson.co.uk
Overnight in Benson
Top tip: If you have a few extra hours and would like to explore one more stop, Wallingford is just a 30-minute cruise downstream and makes a lovely place to spend the night. Be sure to set off early the next morning to return by 08:30am in time for your 9am departure.
Breakfast on board
7:30am – 8:30am
Enjoy your final breakfast on board before tidying and vacating your boat by 9am (unless you have booked and paid for a late-checkout).
Depart Benson
4 or 5 night alternative
With an extra night or two to enjoy, spend a little more time in Oxford and explore the sights you may have missed, such as the magnificent Christ Church College, the Bodleian Library, or the Radcliffe Camera. For something different, hire a punt on the River Cherwell or visit the Oxford Botanic Garden, one of the oldest in the world. Once back in Benson, Wallingford is only a 30-minute cruise downstream and offers the grounds of Wallingford Castle to explore.
Alternatively, you could take a day trip to London. Buy a ticket from Oxford and use the Underground to explore the city’s many corners. London is alive with history, culture, and world-famous landmarks – and most of its museums and galleries are free to enter.
This itinerary is a suggestion only
This suggested itinerary is an indication of what could be accomplished, and your ability to accomplish it, is not a contractual obligation of Le Boat. Le Boat is unable to guarantee when your pre-departure briefing will take place and in some cases it will not be given until the morning after your arrival. In these instances, you will need to adapt the itinerary outlined to accommodate a later departure. All cruising distances and times are approximations and are subject to local navigation restrictions at the time you cruise, planned or otherwise, which may also require you to deviate from the itinerary shown. Please check advertised opening times of sights, attractions and restaurants to avoid disappointment – some may need to be booked in advance. All meals, entry fees and tour tariffs are payable at your own expense. Attractions, restaurants and even locks and/or stretches of the waterway may be closed or can close without notice.
We’d love to hear from you
We’ve tried our very best to ensure the accuracy of the information we’ve provided. If you have followed all or some of this itinerary and have found something isn’t quite right, or perhaps you have some helpful tips and pointers that we could add which might be useful to your fellow boaters, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at: itineraries@leboat.com
Image credits
Benson Lock: Benson Lock by Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons | Poliphilo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons | The River Thames at Abingdon-on-Thames by Mat Fascione, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons | Barley Moy – chefandbrewer.com | The Follow – the-folly.co.uk