We have 2 classic wooden motor cruisers, and currently 3 16ft wooden clinker day boats from the 50's and 60's. Plans to include rowing boats, canoes and some paddle boards next season!
We now run a ferry service from the Waterfront at Benson Marina, over to the lock cut at Benson Lock, due to the closure of the bridge over the weir....
We think we’ve remembered everything! Read on, and, along with all the other pages, you should be fully prepared to enjoy your boating holiday. Remember though, we are always available and only a call, text or email away……
Lovely boats and lovely people! Really enjoyed our 2nd visit with Bygone Boats. Thanks Sue and Geoff 😁
Scott Chambers
3 September 2023
We took Rubette out for a long weekend and loved her. The bow thrusters made her a dream to handle, and she was extremely well equipped. Geoff and Suse are really welcoming and super helpful.
Ruth Baier-Rolls
1 September 2023
We had a wonderful time on Bernadette 2. The boat is stylish and well appointed. Everything worked really well. It was comfortable and just the right size for 2 people. The owners are lovely and very helpful. We can truly recommend the experience. A great way to explore the country side along the Thames. A special bonus were the smiling, friendly and helpful lock keepers.
Andrew Bickerdike
28 August 2023
Rented Rubette for a week in August
Absolutely brilliant experience
Most admired boat on the Thames
Simple accommodation but has everything you need (hot shower, stove, fridge, heating, comfy beds). Wonderful area to sit if the weather is inclement
Great hosts (Jeff and Sue)
Easy to manage with bow thruster and good motor
Great places to visit and moor for the night (Sonning, Henley, Marlow, Goring, Abingdon etc etc)
Highly recommend
Michael Short
25 August 2023
Fabulous holiday - we absolutely loved it!!
Everything was provided - bedding / towels / washing up liquid / shower gel etc.
A superb time away, enjoying a very different pace of life :-)
Gavin McGinty
8 May 2023
We had a fantastic long-weekend on Bernadette, a beautiful well maintained heritage Star Craft cruiser, built in 1952, but with a modern engine and facilities. Sue and Jeff, the owners, were lovely people, and couldn't have been more helpful.
Bernadette is very comfortable for 2 but would be a tight squeeze for 4 adults. Once you get to know her she's easy to handle, but the recommendation to have some experience is a good one - you wouldn't want to damage her.
Bernadette is well loved by lock-keepers, and does get lots of kind comments from others on the river.
We cruised upriver to Oxford, stopping the first night at The Plough at Long Wittenham (take the weir channel to the left before Clifton Lock and you can moor at the bottom of the Plough's garden). It was the perfect distance after a late afternoon departure, and they're happy to let you moor overnight as long as you're spending money in the pub (the food was good).
Looking forward to another chance to borrow Bernadette for a weekend, maybe heading down to Windsor next time :)
Anne Hunting
11 April 2023
Thank you to the wonderful team ay Bygone Boating. I recommend them for your boat hire in the upper Thames.
David Thomas
11 August 2022
Took a Mon to Fri trip on Bernadette 2 in June this year and went downstream as far as Windsor and on the return stopping at Henley mid trip
Summary version - loved every min of this trip and Bernadette herself , it’s a gem of a boat that’s makes you feel very special
Sue and Geoff are so welcoming pre arrival and also when you land on the day of departure
Bernadette is as the brochure states a classic old cruiser and each day when travelling or moored up , people asked how long we had owned her or we were being given the thumbs in support of the obvious classic that she is .- I wanted to fib and say yes she’s mine and I’ve lovingly restored her in my garage - but didn’t as I felt guilty 😂😂
As is mentioned Bygone Boats are dog friendly and our Cockapoo Jorge 🐶🐶was met with real sincerity as only dog lovers can know
My wife and I absolutely loved this 5 trip day and will undoubtedly be doing this again with Bygone Boats
Love it love love it love it 😍
Karen Ashcroft
4 July 2022
Beautiful setting, just spent week on a charming Freeman26 built in 1973 and restored.