Cherwell Boathouse facts for kids
The Cherwell Boathouse is a famous place in Oxford, England, where you can rent boats and enjoy a meal by the River Cherwell. It's often just called the "Boat House." You can find it tucked away on a small lane, not far from the main Banbury Road in North Oxford.
This boathouse has a long history! Back in 1901, a man named Tom Tims, who worked for the Oxford University Boat Club, leased the land. He wanted a spot for punts, which are flat-bottomed boats pushed with a long pole. The boathouse itself was built in 1904 and for its first 40 years, people knew it as Tims's.
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Fun on the River Cherwell
The Cherwell Boathouse is a popular spot, especially in the summer, for both visitors and students. It's a great place to try punting or rent a small rowing boat.
Punting Adventures
When you rent a punt, you can explore the beautiful River Cherwell.
- Upstream: If you head upstream (against the current), you can punt to the Victoria Arms, Marston, which is a traditional English pub where you can stop for a drink or a snack.
- Downstream: Going downstream (with the current) takes you past the lovely University Parks and a spot called Parson's Pleasure. If you want to go even further, you'll reach a small waterfall-like structure called a weir. To get past it, you use special rollers to move your punt to an area known as Mesopotamia.
Eating by the Water
Besides boating, the Cherwell Boathouse also has a restaurant and a riverside café. It's a perfect place to relax and enjoy food with a view of the river.
Nearby Landmarks
The Cherwell Boathouse is surrounded by interesting places.
- To the north, you'll find Wolfson College, which is part of the University of Oxford.
- To the south is the Dragon School, a well-known independent school.
- Across the river to the east, there are water-meadows, which are fields that sometimes flood, creating a unique natural habitat.
More Information
- The Cherwell Boathouse website
