Cherwell Boathouse facts for kids
The Cherwell Boathouse is a super fun place in Oxford, England. It's a special building right on the River Cherwell. Here, you can rent boats and even enjoy a tasty meal at its restaurant! It's a bit hidden down a small lane in an area called North Oxford.
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History of the Boathouse
The story of the Cherwell Boathouse began a long time ago. In 1901, a man named Tom Tims rented the land. He worked for the Oxford University Boat Club. Tom wanted a good spot for people to get into their punts.
The actual boathouse building was finished in 1904. For about 40 years, many people called it "Tims's" after him. It quickly became a popular spot for students and visitors.
What You Can Do There
The Cherwell Boathouse is famous for its punting. A punt is a flat-bottomed boat that you push along with a long pole. It's a bit like gondolas in Venice, but you do the pushing yourself! You can rent punts and small rowing boats to explore the river.
Exploring the River
Punting is a great way to see Oxford from the water. If you go upstream, you can punt all the way to the Victoria Arms, Marston. This is a traditional English pub. It's a nice spot to stop and relax.
If you head downstream, you'll pass by the beautiful University Parks. You'll also see a peaceful area called Parson's Pleasure. To continue further, you'll need to use special rollers to move your punt past a small waterfall, called a weir. This takes you into an area known as Mesopotamia.
Food and Fun
Besides boating, the Cherwell Boathouse has a lovely restaurant. There's also a riverside café. Both are perfect for grabbing a snack or a full meal. They are very popular, especially in the summer. Many tourists and students love to visit and enjoy the riverside views.
Where It Is
The Cherwell Boathouse is in a great location. Right next to it, to the north, is Wolfson College. To the south, you'll find the Dragon School. Across the river to the east, there are pretty water-meadows. These are fields that sometimes get flooded.
