Punting from Magdalen Bridge Boathouse
About
The classic Oxford punting trip starts under Magdalen Tower at the bottom of the High Street, where Magdalen Bridge Boathouse hires punts, rowboats and pedalos on the River Cherwell from 1 February to 30 November. Self-hire punts take up to five people at £35 an hour; chauffeured punts, where an experienced punter does the work while up to four passengers do not, run at £50 per half hour. The stretch upstream passes the Botanic Garden and Magdalen's water meadows, which is as good as river scenery gets in this city. Weekday self-hire needs no booking; weekends and chauffeured trips are better reserved ahead. Punting is harder than it looks for the first twenty minutes, which is half the fun.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓The classic Cherwell run past the Botanic Garden and Magdalen's meadows
- ✓Chauffeured option if nobody wants to fall in
- ✓Rowboats and pedalos for the punt-averse
- ✓Magdalen Tower overhead at the start
Tips
- →Season runs 1 February to 30 November, 9:30am to 9pm or an hour before sunset, weather permitting.
- →Go before noon or after five in summer; mid-afternoon on a warm Saturday is the queue.
- →Boats must be back at least 30 minutes before sunset, so plan an evening trip accordingly.
Best Season
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