Ferrette on the Thames at Benson with two people aboard, waving

Benson Waterfront, Wallingford

Self-drive day boats, canoes and kayaks on the Thames

Name: Bygone Boating Ltd
Address: Benson Waterfront, Oxford Road, Benson, Oxfordshire, OX10 6SJ, GB
Telephone: 07375 677823

Day boats, kayaks and canoes for hire. From £20 for two hours — all of our day boats now have canopies.

Enquire about a boat Call 07375 677823

Season dates and opening hours to be confirmed.

The fleet

See all boats

We have a small fleet of day boats to hire by the hour or day, plus canoes and kayaks.

Day Boats
Up to 5 people · self-drive
Mistral and Puff, both with canopies. Hire by the hour or the day.
From £80 / 2hr
Mistral & Puff
Ferrette
6–10 people · 2hr minimum
The old Benson weir ferry. Carries ten comfortably.
From £100 / 2hr
About the Ferrette
Photograph to follow
Canoe photograph
Canoes
Paddle yourself
Two hours on the water under your own steam.
£30 / 2hr
Canoe hire
Photograph to follow
Kayak photograph
Kayaks
Paddle yourself
The cheapest way onto the Thames at Benson.
£20 / 2hr
Kayak hire

Where can I get to?

The river speed limit is 5mph, so plan by time rather than distance. Days Lock and back is a comfortable two hours; Oxford is a four to five hour cruise.

Benson
Start here
Benson Waterfront pontoon.
Days Lock
2 hr return
The classic short trip.
Beetle & Wedge
Half day
Riverside pub at Moulsford.
Goring & Pangbourne
Full day
Locks and a longer run downstream.
Oxford
4–5 hr cruise
The long one, one way.

See the full Where to Go page

Prices at a glance

Full prices & what's included

Day Boats
Mistral & Puff · up to 5
2 hours£80
4 hours£140
6 hours£200
Full day£250
Ferrette
6–10 people · 2hr min
2 hours£100
4 hours£180
6 hours£250
Full day£290
Canoes
Per canoe
2 hours£30
Kayaks
Per kayak
2 hours£20

Full day runs 9am–5pm. What's included, deposit and booking terms to be confirmed.

What people say

Knowledgeable owners who make sure you know where everything is and you are capable of handling the boat.
Angela Morrison · Google review
The boat got lots of admiring comments as we pootled down the Thames and we wished we could take credit!
Sarah Chambers · Google review
Thank you to the wonderful team at Bygone Boating. I recommend them for your boat hire in the upper Thames.
Anne Hunting · Google review

Read all reviews on Google

Benson Waterfront

We're based at Benson Waterfront on the Thames, with easily accessible moorings, the Waterfront café and restaurant, and a pristine shower, toilet and launderette area. Benson village is a fifteen minute walk; Wallingford is downstream and Abingdon upstream, both good places to moor up.

Benson Waterfront, Oxford Road, Benson, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 6SJ

Get directions Facilities at the waterfront

Fancy a couple of hours on the river?

Tell us the day and how many of you there are and we'll come straight back to you. Happy Boating!

Send an enquiry 07375 677823