day boat trips marlow to henley

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Henley-On-Thames is not only a beautiful and historical town in Oxfordshire, but it is also one of the most stunning nature spots in the UK. Whether it’s the amount of wildlife, amazing countryside walks, or the amazing river Thames running through it. There is so much to see and do in the area.

In this blog post, we will highlight the three most popular routes that we do at the Henley Boating Company as well as what there is to see and do along with them.

Henley to Sonning

Henley boating route 1..

The route from Henley-On-Thames to Sonning is one of our most popular routes and can be done in around 3-4 hours (unless you want to stop off for lunch). Starting off at Henley we will head towards Shiplake, a small little village on the banks of the river.

At Shiplake, there is a small cafe that sells ice creams and beautiful views. Slightly further down the river you will reach Wargrave, where you will be able to stop off at the famous George & Dragon pub and sit outside for a drink or lunch whilst taking in the beautiful river views. The rest of the trip consists of just the river and yourselves. With beautiful scenic views along the meandering river.

Once we reach Sonning you will be able to stop off for a spot of lunch or a quick pint, before jumping back on the boat and heading back to Henley

Henley to Marlow

Henley boating route 2.

This is one of the longer trips we normally take with a distance of around 9 miles, however, it is one of our favorite ones. Starting off in Henley, we will head down the river towards the Hambleden lock the first of three on the way to Marlow.

Interesting fact | The first-ever Oxford and Cambridge race took place between Hambleden Lock and Henley-On-Thames.

After the Hambleden Lock, we will pass through two further locks, a beautiful meandering river section before reaching the town of Marlow. Here you can stop off for lunch, a drink, or just a walk around this beautiful town. This is one of our favourite stretch of the river and we highly recommend it to anyone.

Hambleden to Henley

Henley boating route 3.

This is one of the shorter charters that we take at the Henley Boating Company with it only taking around 2 hours to complete. This is great for an afternoon trip down the river with family and friends (great for families who don’t want to spend all day on the river).

This Charter takes you down the famous Henley Regatta stretch of the river where you can see (from the water) the section of the river that the rowers take to each year. Additionally, you will be able to pass by Temple Island, a beautiful Island along with the Regatta Course

More from our blog:

The importance of keeping the river thames clean, meet jim – founder & captain, henley regatta 2021 update, henley royal regatta 2020 | boat hire, chartered vs self-drive boats, feed the (water) birds, rnli mayday appeal, what has happened over the lockdown at the henley boating company, what are the rules of the river, river safety tips for your kids this summer, contact info.

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Please fill out the form below. ‘Rivertime’ Wheelchair accessible Passenger Boat can carry up to 12 passengers. Operating on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames and Bisham Abbey, Marlow.

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Things to do near Marlow

Not only can Marlow offer you many delights, it is also a great base to get around to visit many local attractions.  Here we have a selection of great days out, all within an hour or so from Marlow.  They are listed in order of the typical time it takes to drive from Marlow.

If you think we have missed anything, please contact us .

It is recommended that you contact each entry for opening hours and pricing details.

Our reviews

We are working our way through the day trips, Our most recent review is for the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre – totally phizz-whizzing fun for all the family! You can read our review here www.mymarlow.co.uk/2017/05/roald-dahl-museum/

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Stanley Spencer Gallery

Cliveden House

The Hell fire Caves

West Wycombe Park

Hughenden Manor

River and Rowing Museum

Greys Court

Bekonscot Model Village

Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Chiltern Open air Museum

Windsor Castle

Go Ape – Bracknell

Natural History Museum at Tring

Wellington Country Park

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Dinton Pastures Country Park

(30 mins drive from Marlow,  RG10 0TH –  Directions here  )

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You are here: Things to Do > Boating on the River Thames > Boat trips

Boat trips on the River Thames

The River Thames offers so much history along its banks. To truly enjoy sightseeing on the River Thames then sit back and let someone else take the helm! Sit and relax as beautiful scenery glides by on a River Thames boat trip or cruise and enjoy the commentary on the sights along the river!

Passenger Boat Trips

Passenger boat operators offer a variety including day trips, round trips, stopping or one-way services. As well as the scheduled services, you might enjoy a themed river cruise. Choose from a spot of sightseeing with wildlife watching or party nights and seasonal day trips, to name but a few!

The main cruising season for the non-tidal Thames (outside of London) is April-September but each operator may have sailings and cruises outside of this time including special events so please check availability with the business.

Here's some of the key boat operators along the Thames:

Oxford: Salters Steamers

Reading: Thames Rivercruise

Henley: Hobbs of Henley

Windsor, Maidenhead and Runnymede: French Brothers

London to Greenwich: City Cruises

Themed Public Cruises

There are so many choices for boat trips on the Thames. Choose from jazz cruises, wildlife cruises, children's cruises and more. See the list below to see what's available.

A selection of Boat Trips on the Thames currently available at various locations including: 

Salters Steamers , boat trips from Oxford , Alice in Wonderland Cruise and Lunchtime Picnic Cruise.

Thames Rivercruise , Reading    is offering 45/60/90 minute cruises and Wednesday and Saturday Evening Sundowner Fizz Cruises.

• Thames Experience 45 Minute Round Trip Cruise  - Take a look at the riverside homes, countryside and the Thames as it passes through Reading with refreshments on board as you watch the wildlife pass as the boat glides along the Thames.
• Thames Experience 60 Minute Round Trip Cruise – Ideal for families, it leaves Caversham behind and heads to the countryside reaching two islands – Apletree Eyot and Poplar Island.
• Thames Explorer 90 Minute Round Trip Cruise -  Cruise from Caversham Pier through twists and turns to Mapledurham Lock and Weir. This is the river as it should be, tranquil and stunning in Wind in the Willows Country.

All above: weekends from 1 April to 29 October, daily Easter Holiday, May Half Term and School Summer Holiday 24 Jul-1 Sep (no cruises 21-29 Aug). 

• Other cruises: Shiplake or Goring Cream Tea Cruise, Goring Circular Cruise, Afternoon Tea, Sunday Lunch or Saturday Sundowner Cruises.

Hobbs of Henley   operates 1 and 2 hour cruises from Henley and themed ticketed cruises.

• Jazz & Afternoon Tea Cruise  (4 Aug 24) – Enjoy the sounds of a traditional jazz band on a three hour cruise whilst enjoying a delicious English Afternoon Tea.
• Vintage Themed Afternoon Tea Cruise  (12 May, 21 Jul, 25 Aug, 15 Sep) - Cruise the Thames on one of the most spectacular vessels, The New Orleans and sample the most incredible afternoon tea whilst doing so!
• Midsomer Murders Cruise with Afternoon Tea  (1 May and 5 Jun 2-4pm) - Aboard The Waterman, these are hosted by a specialist guide who’s knowledge on the TV sensation is superb and enjoy a delicious afternnon tea. Discover many murderous locations along the Thames and which episodes they featured in, the perfect cruise for any fans of this show!
• Henley Regatta River Cruise  (4 July, 11am - 5pm) - Sail the regatta course on-board Hibernia from 11am – 5pm, enjoying a welcome glass of Pimms, canapés, a buffet lunch and afternoon tea. 
• Atul Kochhar’s Henley Festival Cruise  (14 Jul, 7 - 10.45pm) - Aboard ‘The New Orleans’ enjoy the finest Indian cuisine provided by Atul Kochhar’s team. One of the first British-based Indian chefs to receive a Michelin star. Cruising up and down the Henley stretch of the Thames, enjoy the atmosphere of the Henley Festival from the river. The fireworks can be viewed from the open upper deck which will give you the most perfect view point for them!
• Eighties Silent Disco during the Rewind Festival (16 Aug 7-11pm) - Aboard The New Orleans for this fun Eighties night! Put your headphones on and hit our dance floor as you listen to some fab Eighties tunes! This event takes place during Henley’s Rewind Festival so you will be able to take in the sounds and atmosphere from our upper deck during this cruise. The price also includes a cocktail (or mocktail) on arrival and a buffet meal.
• Purdy's Gin and Jazz Cruise  (23 Aug, 7.30 - 10.30pm) – Aboard The New Orleans, is the incredible singer/songwriter Purdy and her band who will be providing sultry Jazz under the stars. Ticket includes a Mr Hobbs G&T on arrival and a fabulous buffet. 
• A Ghoulish Halloween Murder Mystery Cruise (31 Oct, 7-10.30pm) - Step aboard The New Orleans for a scary night to remember, our special Halloween murder mystery cruise for everyone who likes dinner with a fright! Partnering with Little Chico Productions.
• Christmas cruises - Christmas Lunch and Christmas Party Night cruises.
• Santa Cruises - The brilliant Bertie Slippers will have everyone roaring with laughter and he will be adding some magic, balloons and puppets to the children’s entertainment and Santa will be in his grotto bearing gifts for all the children!  

French Brothers   is operating 40 mins and 2 hour cruises from Windsor, Runnymede to Windsor and Runnymed hop-on-hop-off service. 

• Windsor 2-hour round trip – Leaving Windsor Promenade, passengers can enjoy excellent views of Windsor Castle and Eton College. After passing Windsor Racecourse, the boat passes through Boveney Lock and passes Sutherland Grange, The Willows and Bray Film Studios.
• Victorian Paddle Steamer Runnymede hop-on hop-off trip – Daily 29 Mar -18 Apr, 25 May-28 Sep.  Weekends only 15 Apr - 24 May, 9-29 Sep. Board the 'Lucy Fisher', a replica of a Victorian paddle steamer at the Runnymede Boathouse and cruise upstream to the Bells of Ouzeley, which is featured in Jerome K. Jerome's "Three Men in a Boat". Pass the Memorials, and onto the Runnymede Pleasure Grounds.
• Windsor 40 min Round Trip – Daily to 27 Oct, Weekends 28 Oct - 22 Dec. This short cruise goes upstream to Boveney Lock & returns with fantastic views of Windsor Castle, Eton College, Mill House, Windsor Racecourse & the Brocas Meadows.
• Runnymede to Windsor Service – Daily 29 Mar - 29 Sep. Leaving from the Runnymede Boathouse, the boat will cruise upstream through Old Windsor Lock and continues through the pretty villages of Old Windsor and Datchet. Travelling through the grounds of Windsor Castle, the boat then passes through Romney Lock and arrives in Windsor.
• Royal Steamboat Voyage - 19 May, 16 Jun, 22 SeptA nostalgic cruise of discovery through the Queen's back garden on a  beautiful  and  genuine  Victorian steam launch. Departing from Runnymede in the morning you will pass through Old Windsor Lock and the pretty village of Datchet. Salute our Monarch's flag as we steam along past the grounds of Windsor Castle. In the afternoon the boat returns to Runnymede. Enjoy either a hearty lunch or afternoon tea.

City Cruises  in London offers sightseeing cruises, dining cruises and Showboat evening cruises. 

• Sightseeing cruises - depart daily every 30 to 40 minutes from piers at Westminster, London Eye, Tower and to Greenwich.
• 24h Hop-On Hop-Off River Pass
• Thames Lunch Cruise – Tues-Sun. Enjoy a delicious two course lunch on a relaxed mini voyage through the heart of London: 2-course meal, 1 hour 45 minutes river Cruise, Commentary, Glass of Moët & Chandon (Champagne Package)
• Afternoon Tea Cruise – Thu-Sun.  See the best views in London while you tuck into tea, scones and all the trimmings of a traditional afternoon tea on the Thames.
• London Dinner Cruise – Wine, dine and dance on this great dinner cruise on the Thames. See spectacular views of London’s iconic sights including the magnificent London Eye, Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge and the recently lit bridges as part of the Illuminated River project, whilst enjoying show songs and top hits. Includes: A three-hour cruise, Four-course meal, Welcome drink, Dancing till late, Half bottle of wine per guest.
• London’s Evening Cruise – See great views of London's riverside landmarks and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a trip through the heart of central London – on a boat. You can choose between being on the open-air upstairs deck or in the saloon, which has big windows. Includes: Sparkling wine or soft drink, Selection of cold canapés served throughout the evening, Background music, 2 hour river Cruise
• London’s Jazz Cruise on the Thames – Fridays. Enjoy jazz and dinner on the Thames on a journey up and down the river, with great views of landmarks including Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and more. Includes: 3 hour cruise with our quintet ChiJazz playing jazz, Glass of sparkling wine, 3-course meal with choice of dishes, Cash bar offering Champagne, Pimm's, wines and beers.
• Halloween Murder Mystery Cruise  
• Fireworks Night Cruises  
• Christmas - Thames Christmas Dinner Party , Thames Christmas Lunch Party , Christmas Day Sightseeing ,  Christmas Day Lunch Cruise
• New Year - New Year's Eve Gala Dinner , New Year's Eve Stargazer Cruise , 

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The Flamingo Hiker

Walks Ideas & Inspiration For Londoners

Marlow To Henley Walk Via The Thames Path

4 June 2023 By Lily

For a leisurely stroll with stunning scenery and breathtaking views, look no further than the Marlow to Henley walk via the Thames Path! This 9.6-mile (15.5 km) stretch of the Thames Footpath takes you past some of the most idyllic villages and countryside of the UK while winding along the picturesque River Thames. With an estimated walking time of 3 hours and 40 minutes, it’s the perfect outing for visitors and locals alike. So break out your walking boots, and get ready for an adventure you won’t soon forget!

In this article, I go through 2 different trails you can follow to join Marlow to Henley following the River Thames. The first one is the shortest, starting on the Eastern bank and crossing over to the Western Bank at Temple Lock. The second trail is slightly longer, as you remain on the Eastern Bank until you reach Hembleden Lock, jumping from riverside paths to meadows and forested routes. Take a look at the table below for more information!

At A Glance

In a hurry? Check out the table below detailing the stats of the 2 walks from Marlow to Henley-on-Thames. All you have left to do is to pick the one you like. In this post, I go into more detail about each walk.

Logistics of the Marlow to Henley Walk

• Distance : 9.6 miles (15.1 km)
• Total Ascent : 62 ft (19 m)
• Highest Point: 147.8 ft (45 m)
• Lowest Point: 85 ft (26 m)
• Duration:   3 hours and 40 minutes
• Difficulty : Intermediate
• Distance : 10 miles (16.1 km)
• Total Ascent : 135.5 ft (41 m)
• Highest Point: 206.6 ft (63 m)
• Lowest Point: 88.5 ft (27 m)
• Duration:   4 hours
• Train from London Paddington to Maidenhead and change at Maidenhead for a train to Marlow. The journey takes more or less 50 min depending on how long you have to wait at Maidenhead.
• For the return, take a train from Henley-on-Thames to Twyford and change at Twyford for a train to London Paddington. The journey can take between 50 min to 1 hour and a half depending on the waiting time at Twyford
• This is a linear walk so you need to book both journeys separately
• Comfortable clothing and footwear. Please note that you are mainly walking on paved paths so a pair of trainers with good cushioning is sufficient
• Packed lunch if you don’t want to go to the pub at the end of a Sunday Roast
• Rain cover if rain is forecasted as the path is exposed
• Headcover, sunscreen and sunglasses if the sun is out for the same reason as above
• The Bell on Bull Street , Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Highlights of the Marlow to Henley Walk

• Marlow Suspension Bridge
• River Thames
• Hambledon Lock
• Henley on Thames

Marlow to Henley Walk Guide

So now we covered the basics, let’s get to the walk!

Our journey starts in Marlow , a lovely Georgian town on the bank of the River Thames. Situating in the Chilterns, an Area of Outstanding Beauty, this charming place has a lively town centre with listed buildings, shops and restaurants. At the end of the eighteenth century, Marlow became a trendy destination, attracting new residents such as Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.

When you come out of the train station, make your way towards the Thames. You pass by Marlow Road, the continuation of the High Street , where you can find places to stop for a coffee before starting the walk.

You pass by All Saints Church before arriving at Marlow’s most iconic landmark: the Suspension Bridge . Designed by William Tierney Clark in 1832, the bridge is a smaller version of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest, also conceived by the same architect.

Go down on the right of the suspension bridge to get to the Thames Path toward Henley-on-Thames.

Temple Lock

You leave Marlow and a mile (1.6 km) down the Thames Path you see the squared tower of Bisham All Saints Church on the opposite side of the river.

Bisham is a village in Berkshire, the counties of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire being separated by the River Thames and linked by the Marlow suspension bridge. Further down the path, you can guess behind the trees, the thirteenth-century Grade II building of the Bisham Abbey and its priory.

Continue on the towpath with golden fields on your right and reb bricks blocks of flats on your left. You soon arrive at the Temple Lock. There is evidence suggesting the existence of a lock here since the sixteenth century. The current lock is a replacement for the one built in 1890.

Warning : Please note that due to safety concerns, the footbridge at Temple Lock is closed until further notice at the time of writing this article. Therefore, you won’t be able to continue your journey towards Henley-on-Thames following the Thames Path. Below, I go into detail on the deviation route.

Cross over Temple footbridge and a little further down you need to cross again to get to an island in the middle of the River Thames. Walk past the Hurley Lock and as you get to the end of the island, transit back to the Western bank of the river. You are in the village of Hurley, Berkshire. As you descend from the footbridge, if you continue straight, you arrive at the St Mary the Virgin Church and the Hurley Priory . Founded in 1086, the Benedictine monastery was dissolved in 1536 by order of King Henry VIII.

Hurley has a public house, the Olde Bell Inn , in operation since 1135, making it one of the oldest still-in-activity inns in Britain.

Continue on the Thames Path, crossing through meadows alongside the river until you reach Magpie Island . Here, the path diverts from the river bank onto the fields and then you arrive at the hamlet of Aston . Walk back towards the river and continue your journey by the water until you get to Hambleden Lock .

If the footbridge at Temple Lock is still closed, here is the self-guided deviation route.

Harleyford Golf Club

Before arriving at Temple Lock, you find a footpath on your right, leading inland. Take this footpath bordered by vegetation forming a tree tunnel and walk until you see a red brick house at the end of the lane. Turn left and take the footpath going across a field. You arrive at the Harleyford Golf Club at the end of this path.

The golf course is dotted with driftwood sculptures from artist James Doran-Webb representing horses, stags and different kinds of birds.

After you reach the clubhouse, take the designated footpath going alongside the golf course. Then turn left and walk under a tunnel before reaching the bank of the River Thames.

However, this time you are not walking on a towpath alongside the river but in a forested area with fences on both sides of the path. Finally, the fences stop and you get closer to the water where you can look back to see Hurley in the distance.

It is time to head back to the mainland through a forested area. As you get closer to the main road, you start seeing some houses in the woods

Just a few steps on the A4155, and you find the continuation of the footpath on your right. This time you set foot on a green field dotted with yellow flowers. On the other side of the meadow, you can discern a wooden barn. Get closer and you can see goats grazing in front of the shed.

Leave the field via a path going through a forested area. Take a left on Ferry Lane and you are back on the river bank.

Walk along the Thames, the blue of the water on your left and the greenery of the hills on your right. It is not uncommon to encounter RV campers on this part of the Thames, enjoying a barbecue and sunbathing as walkers pass by.

You encounter horses at the first house on your way up to the hamlet of Mill End and a few meters further down the lane you are finally back to civilisation!

Hambleden Lock

You reach Hambleden Lock, with a footbridge spanning over the River Thames, linking Mill End to Aston on the opposite bank.

At the same location where the Hambleden Lock stands nowadays, a mill was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. The first lock was constructed in 1770 and has since been rebuilt several times. In 1777, the bizarre and unconventional Caleb Gould became the lockkeeper. He was baking bread and selling it to the bargemen. He died at the age of 91 years old and is buried in Rehmenman , a village we walk past on our way to Henley-on-Thames.

Fun fact : Hambleden Lock is mentioned in Charles Dicken’s novel “The Phantom of Regatta Island”

Take the walkway over the river, and you reach the Berkshire bank where we meet with the Thames Path described in Option 1.

Thames Path to Henley

You are now back on the Thames Path, heading towards Henley-on-Thames. On your way, you can see on the opposite bank a White House-like building with a flag on top. It is one of the premises of the Henley Business School .

Temple Island

Continue your walk alongside the sinuous River Thames, and you arrive at an island with a dome structure at the front. This is Temple Island . The folly was designed by the architect James Wyatt and constructed in 1771 for the Fawley Family as a fishing lodge. In the nineteenth century, following a change of ownership, it underwent some remodelling. Nowadays, the venue can be hired for private events and weddings outside of the regatta period.

As you start getting closer to the final destination, you walk past the village of Rememham, where you can see the Riverside Barns and the top of the square tower of St Mary and St Nicholas Church behind.

Henley-on-Thames

If you do this walk close to the regatta period, you can see the preparations such as marquees and bleachers being put on by the river. You notice the top of the St Mary’s Church tower behind the houses on the river bank.

Walk across Henley Bridge to get to the heart of the city.

Henley’s history traces back to 43 AD when Britain was under the Roman Empire. The very first record of a settlement where Henley stands nowadays is dated 1179 when King Henry II bought the land. During medieval times, the town prospered and expanded on the west bank of the Thames. It suffered great damage during the Civil War. Its economy recovered during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries thanks to the manufacturing of glass and malt.

The town’s main landmarks are:

• Henley Bridge, built in 1786
• Fawley Court designed by Christopher Wren in 1684
• Henley Town Hall, built in 1900
• The Old Bell Pub, situated in a building dating 1325
• St Mary The Virgin Church, erected in the thirteenth century

To end the walk, head to the Bell on Bull Street pub for a rewarding Sunday roast. With a choice of traditional British pub indoor space and modern courtyard seating, you can enjoy a delicious meal in the perfect setting.

Bon appetit!

Marlow to Henley Walk Map

Do you want to walk from Marlow to Henley via the Thames Path? Download the map of both Option 1 and Option 2 walks below. Click on the link to download the GPS map and learn how to upload it onto your navigation app by following my step-by-step guide .

Final Thoughts on the Marlow to Henley Walk

In conclusion, the Marlow to Henley walk is a stunningly beautiful route that should be on the radar of any fan of the outdoors, or anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its unique blend of scenic views, charming towns, and historically significant sites, this walk is an excellent way to enjoy all that the countryside has to offer. With its alluring beauty and endless possibilities, it is an ideal way to explore and appreciate nature.

And you, what is your favourite Thames Path walk? Let me know in the comments below.

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Group River Trips

Enjoy a private group trip on the river thames with hobbs of henley. set sail on the thames for a private river cruise, this trip is the perfect opportunity to discover the history, heritage and beauty of the river thames..

Explore the beauty and history of the River Thames from the luxurious, glass-encased saloon of Hibernia!

This trip is led by one of our experienced and friendly Blue Badge guides, who will provide insightful and entertaining commentary as you cruise along the river.

Availability

Monday to Friday

10am and 5pm

(minimum of 30 and a maximum of 50 passengers)

2 hour charter

£20.00 pp (Vat Zero) per guest

Terms and conditions apply .

Catering can also be included in this charter for an additional charge:

£33.00 per guest with sandwiches, cakes & tea and coffee (Vat Zero)

These trips do not run on bank holidays or during Regatta week.

“We would like to say a big thank you to James, George and the ladies who served us tea on Hibernia… You were all so friendly and helpful to the elderly members of our group – and the tea was delicious!”

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All Inclusive Group Bookings

On a catered charter, your guests will be treated to delicious food and top quality service as we cruise down the scenic river thames..

And best of all?

Hobbs of Henley will take care of all the arrangements – all you need to do is invite the guests and arrive on the day!

From Monday to Friday, our two largest vessels – The Waterman and The New Orleans – are available for these exclusive, four-hour, fully catered charters for 50 or more guests.

Our standard all-inclusive package includes:

• A drink on arrival, whether that’s a glass of house wine, an orange juice, or a G&T made with our very own Mr Hobbs Gin
• A fork buffet – see our sample menu
• A four hour exclusive charter

A fully licensed bar is available on both vessels. Entertainment and decorations can be arranged at an additional charge.

Low Season 2024 (October to May)

£50.00 per guest

£60.00 per guest

High Season (June to September)

£65.00 per guest

Terms and conditions apply

“We’d highly recommend Hobbs of Henley for big boat charters – great boats, lovely staff and a memorable experience.”

Frequently asked questions.

Yes, please contact us to discuss your options.

We do not permit 18th or 21st birthday parties. Well-behaved hen parties and stag do’s are permitted.

Hobbs of Henley is more than happy to welcome passengers with mobility constraints.

Unfortunately, the design of our vessels means that there are a number of unavoidable limitations, including steep stairs, limited toilet facilities, and constraints on what our crews are permitted – and able! – to lift.

We strive to provide all our clients with a safe and enjoyable river cruise. To avoid disappointment, please contact us to discuss any access concerns before you book your trip. We will try our hardest to accommodate clients with reduced mobility.

Our boats depart from and return to our jetty at RG9 1AZ. We can pick up guests elsewhere by arrangement, but we must have the landowners permission to moor up, which may incur a charge. For more information, please contact the office. 

Please note that the charter for the boat will include the time it takes to and from the mooring destination. 

Boarding is permitted 15 minutes prior to departure. Early access for organisers is available by arrangement.

For either of the above group packages we require a £250 deposit to secure your booking.

For all passenger boat bookings, we can reserve two car parking spaces at our riverfront car park.

The remaining guests will need to find alternative parking in Henley. We recommend nearby Mill Meadows or Henley Train Station (a few minutes walk from Hobbs).

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Short Trips

Salter’s Steamers operate a variety of shorter round trips from the places listed below.

Please note that some of the trips only run on particular days and are all subject to weather conditions and boat availability – please check with our Oxford office on 01865 243421.

Although the official season runs from late May to late September we will also run short trips from select locations before and after these dates if the weather is particularly good.

40 Minute return trips daily From April  (to Iffley Lock) 11:00, 12:00, 13:00,14:00, 15:00, 16:00 & 17:00.

These Cruises will be running during April, through to the end of September – Subject to Weather

Adult £13.50 – Child £8.50 – Children under 3 go free

Alice in Wonderland Cruise

2.5 hour round trip taking in views of Iffley Lock and Port Meadow.

Take in sights of Salters River Experience Cruise, we then proceed up river passing through Osney Lock, into Port Meadow admiring its stunning open landscape and abundance of wildlife.

Departing Folly Bridge at 12:00

Adults £28.00 – Children £19.00 – Children under 3 go free

Lunchtime Picnic Cruise

2.5 Hour round trip taking in views of Iffley Lock and Port Meadow including gourmet picnic lunch.

Take in sights of Salters River Experience Cruise, we then proceed up river passing through Osney Lock, into Port Meadow admiring its stunning open landscape and abundance of wildlife, whilst enjoying your freshly prepared lunch.

Departing Folly Bridge at 12:00.

Adults £42.00 – Children £33.00 – Children under 3 go free

40 minute return (down to Temple lock) daily in season hourly from 11:00am to 17:00pm.

This service may continue on Weekends out of season depending on Weather. Please contact 01865 243421.

Adult £11.00 – Child £7.50 – Children under 3 go free.

• Date and time

Interested?

Contact us to find out more about our short trips.

Answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions

Type of boat?

We operate several types of boat:

Modern day-boats: ‘Eliza Grace’ and ‘Trickster’ are high quality Dutch-built Antaris day-boats. They are 6.3m long and 2.4m wide, making them very comfortable and stable craft for jaunts on the river. Both have cushioned seats, picnic tables, and refrigerators so we can keep your drinks cool. A canopy can be raised to protect you from sun or rain!  Eliza Grace and Trickster are safety approved for up to 6 passengers

Edwardian-style fan-tail launch ‘Hebe’, with her quiet electric drive, was fully renovated in 2021. The boat has cushioned seats, a picnic table, a refrigerator to keep your drinks cool, and a USB charging point. She has a canopy to provide some shade and shelter. We limit Hebe to parties of 6 passengers so you have plenty of space

Nicely Chilled luxury Interboat ‘Intender 820’ comfortably takes up to 8-people plus our skipper.  She is 8.2 m long and 2.8m wide, very comfortable and stable. T he boat has cushioned seats, a picnic table, a refrigerator to keep your drinks cool, and a USB charging point. She has a canopies to provide shade or shelter. She is only available for skippered trips, not self-drive

Bad weather?

All our boats have some form of canopy that can be raised to protect against rain or sun.

Further, our standard cancellation policy allows you to cancel and receive a full refund up to 48 hours in advance, by which time weather forecasts are generally reliable.

If weather or river conditions for your trip are forecast to be ‘bad’, we will attempt to contact you the day before before to discuss whether to proceed with your trip as scheduled or offer you an alternative date.  We assess ‘bad’ weather based on the bbc.co.uk forecast for Henley-on-Thames predicting more than a 50% chance of heavy rain during the time-slot for your booking

No refunds are given for cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice

Number of passengers?

Modern day-boats ‘Eliza Grace’ and ‘Trickster’ take up to 6 people. They are good sized boats with plenty of space

Edwardian style ‘Hebe’ also takes up to 6 people with comfort

Luxury ‘Nicely Chilled’ also takes up to 8 people in good comfort.

These numbers are limits on your party-size.  You do not need to factor in our skipper

All children over 12 months of age count as full passengers

Gift vouchers?

Our gift vouchers provide the flexibility to choose a convenient date and time for a cruise on any one of 6-person boats

The £220 price covers the cost of a 2 hour private cruise for up to 6 people and includes the services of a professional skipper, or the option to ‘self-drive’

Click to find out more

Cancellation policy?

You may cancel your booking and receive a full refund up to 48 hours in advance of your trip. This is normally close enough to the date to have confidence in the weather forecast

No refunds are given for cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice. When customers make cancellations with less than 48 hours notice, Henley River Boats may be able to offer an alternative date or time

The boat you will be travelling in has passed an independent examination of the safety requirements set out in the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS), an initiative owned equally by the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency

In the unlikely event of an emergency please follow instructions from your skipper or an HRB representative

Buoyancy aids or life-jackets are available to all passengers on request. Children aged 3 years or younger must wear a buoyancy aid at all times and we recommend children aged 4-14 also wear buoyancy aids or life-jackets

We will be applying additional procedures for all bookings during the 2022 season to ensure the safety of our clients and team. This will include careful cleaning of commonly touched areas of the boat and equipment between trips.

Self-drive (aka 'bare boat charter')

Eliza Grace, Trickster and Hebe are available for self-drive hire.

An HRB representative will introduce you to the boat and make sure you are familiar with the controls and safety features. If you have no experience of driving a boat our representative will be happy to come with you on the boat for the first 10 minutes while you build your confidence

Special requests or tailor-made itineraries?

We’ll always try to accommodate special requests or itineraries and we are available for weddings and other special occasions

Drop an email to  [email protected]  or call 01491 902045

Where are we located?

The boat will be waiting for you along the river’s edge at Mill Meadows park, near the River & Rowing Museum.  There is a map and more detail on our ‘Contact’ page, and out ‘pin’ on Google Maps is very accurate. One of our team will phone you 15 minutes before departure to make sure you find the exact location

For special events we can provide pick-up and drop-off at other locations such as waterside hotels or restaurants.  Please ask via  [email protected]  or call 01491 902045

There are no toilet facilities on board our boats but Henley River Boat customers are welcome to use the facilities inside the River & Rowing Museum. There are also public toilets at Mill Meadows park

Accessibility?

We regret there is no step-free access to our boats and we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs. Your skipper or an HRB representative will be at hand to help passengers step on and off the boat

Car parking?

Please allow plenty of time to drive into Henley. Traffic and car-parking can cause delays at peak times, especially on sunny weekends

24-hour pay-and-display parking is available at Mill Meadows. If this is full, additional car-parking is available at the railway station

The River & Rowing Museum car-park is open between 9:00am and 5:30pm for a charge of £4. Please note the car park gates are locked at 6pm and do not open again until 9am the following morning

Can I bring my own food and drink?

Yes, we positively encourage this! You can bring your own supply of refreshments and a picnic. Our boats have a refrigerator or cool box and table areas. But please do not feed the skipper while he is driving!

Alcohol should be consumed in moderation. Our skipper will ask passengers to stop further drinking and has a right to cut short a trip should passengers become unsafe or abusive

Can I order a picnic?

You are very welcome to bring your own food and drink onto our boats, but if you want to pre-order catering we recommend “Chocolate Café Henley”

The team at Chocolate Café Henley offer afternoon teas, celebration cakes, prosecco, beers, hot food and drinks

Simply call 01491 411412 and place and pay for your order directly with Chocolate Café Henley. Tell them, and us, the order is for a booking with Henley River Boats and we will make sure your items are ready onboard

Please also email us to say you have booked catering!

Well behaved children are welcome aboard subject to them being accompanied by at least one responsible adult

The maximum number of passengers for each trip is 6 people which includes children over the age of 12 months. Children aged 3 years or younger must wear a buoyancy aid at all times and should travel next to or seated on the lap of a responsible adult

Lost property?

Drop an email to [email protected] or call 01491 902045

Dry and well behaved dogs are welcome aboard, at the owner’s risk

Dogs should not be allowed to swim from the boat!

You are welcome to bring small portable speakers and play music at a moderate volume. We have a USB charging point should you need one

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