Napton Marina · 14 nights

Oxford and the Thames

Follow the South Oxford Canal, then choose one Thames adventure: west towards Lechlade or downstream towards Henley. Return to Napton along your chosen route.

Find a holiday Follow the journey

Fuel included

Your narrowboat holiday

Your trip at a glance

Start from: NaptonOxford Canal & Thames
Time aboard: 14 nightsCanal & river adventure

Times and figures are planning estimates from our route guides. Cruising stages are flexible, not fixed daily destinations. Confirm your itinerary with us.

Make time for the good bits

A few highlights along the way

A quick look at places to explore and food stops across the whole trip. Tap a card to open the details.

Places to visitOxford · Lechlade · Henley-on-ThamesExplore these stops

Oxford
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews
Lechlade
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews
Henley-on-Thames
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews

Google scores are published snapshots checked on 11 October 2026, not live ratings. Scores are shown only where verified; follow the source or open Maps for the latest reviews. Check opening times and walking access before setting off.

Pubs & restaurantsThe Boat Inn, Thrupp · Ye Olde Swan at Radcot · The Angel on the BridgeExplore these stops

The Boat Inn, Thrupp
Pub beside the canal in Thrupp, with a beer garden and food.
Map & reviews
Ye Olde Swan at Radcot
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews
The Angel on the Bridge
A place to enjoy along this holiday route.
Map & reviews

Choose Lechlade OR Henley for your Thames adventure. The stages below show both alternatives; they are not one continuous itinerary. Agree the river plan and licence arrangements with the base.

ONE STRETCH AT A TIME

Let your holiday unfold.

Follow the water, find your favourite stops and make room for the moments in between. These stages show the order of the journey; spread them across your holiday at a pace that suits your crew.

Stage 1 · Settle aboard
Napton Marina to Napton Lock Flight

Begin on the South Oxford and settle into the narrow locks of the Napton flight.
Stage advice & stopping tips
After your handover, take time to get comfortable with the boat and controls. Choose a first stopping point that suits your departure time.
Pubs & food
Food stops in Napton-on-the-Hill — Explore the local pubs and places to eat. Access: Bottom of the Napton Locks. Map & reviews
The Kings Head Napton — Napton pub serving food; use its current website rather than inherited food hours. Access: Bridge 109. Visit website Map & reviews
Napton Village Stores — Village groceries, post office and kitchen with bakery and takeaway food. Access: Folly Lane Bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
Napton Cidery — Farm Shop, Off Licence, Pub, Takeaway. Access: Bottom of Napton Locks. Visit website Map & reviews
The Folly Pub — Traditional canalside pub near the Napton locks, serving food. Access: Bottom of Napton Locks. Visit website Map & reviews
Places to visit
Napton-on-the-Hill — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Bottom of the Napton Locks. Map & reviews
Shops & essentials
Supplies in Napton-on-the-Hill — Local shops and facilities are listed in this area. Access: Bottom of the Napton Locks. Map & reviews
Napton Village Stores — Village groceries, post office and kitchen with bakery and takeaway food. Access: Folly Lane Bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
Napton Cidery — Farm Shop, Off Licence, Pub, Takeaway. Access: Bottom of Napton Locks. Visit website Map & reviews
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: Napton Lock Flight. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Thames river conditions · Thames restrictions and closures
Stage 2 · On the water
Napton Locks to Cropredy

Cross the rural summit and descend through the locks towards Cropredy.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.
Pubs & food
Wharf Pub, Fenny Compton — Canalside pub and dining stop at Fenny Compton. Access: Bridge 136 or 136A. Visit website Map & reviews
Red Lion, Cropredy — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 152. Map & reviews
Brasenose Arms, Cropredy — Cropredy pub; check its current opening schedule when planning a stop. Access: Bridge 152. Visit website Map & reviews
Places to visit
Fenny Compton — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Fenny Marina. Map & reviews
Cropredy — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Bridge 153. Map & reviews
Shops & essentials
Co-op, Fenny Compton — Newsagent / Convenience Store. Access: Fenny Marina. Map & reviews
Bridge Store — Newsagent / Convenience Store. Access: Bridge 153. Map & reviews
Moorings & cruising
Suggested stopping area: Cropredy. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Napton Locks — Lock(s). Access: The Folly pub. Map & reviews
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Thames river conditions · Thames restrictions and closures
Stage 3 · On the water
Cropredy to Aynho

Pass through Banbury and continue south towards the canal at Aynho.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.
Pubs & food
Food stops in Banbury — Explore the local pubs and places to eat. Access: Canalside. Map & reviews
Great Western Arms — Country pub beside the Oxford Canal at Aynho. Access: Bridge 190. Visit website Map & reviews
Aynho Wharf — Ice Cream, Newsagent / Convenience Store. Access: Bridge 190. Map & reviews
Brew Box — Coffee Shop. Access: Bridge 190. Map & reviews
Places to visit
Banbury — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Canalside. Map & reviews
Aynho — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Bridge 190. Map & reviews
Shops & essentials
Supplies in Banbury — Local shops and facilities are listed in this area. Access: Canalside. Map & reviews
Waitrose, Banbury — Supermarket. Access: Footbridge 163. Map & reviews
Morrisons, Banbury — Supermarket. Access: Bridge 168. Map & reviews
Castle Quay Shopping Centre — Shopping, dining and leisure complex in Banbury. Access: Canalside. Visit website Map & reviews
Aynho Wharf — Ice Cream, Newsagent / Convenience Store. Access: Bridge 190. Map & reviews
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: Aynho. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Thames river conditions · Thames restrictions and closures
Stage 4 · On the water
Aynho to Thrupp

Cruise through Lower Heyford and the Cherwell valley to the canalside village of Thrupp.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.
Pubs & food
The Bell Inn — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 206. Map & reviews
The Oxford Arms — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Pigeons Lock. Map & reviews
The Boat Inn, Thrupp — Pub beside the canal in Thrupp, with a beer garden and food. Access: Canalside. Visit website Map & reviews
The Jolly Boatman, Thrupp — Canalside pub near Thrupp with food and a garden. Access: Canalside at bridge 223. Visit website Map & reviews
Places to visit
Lower Heyford — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Bridge 206. Map & reviews
Kirtlington — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Pigeons Lock. Map & reviews
Thrupp — A village or town to explore along the route. Map & reviews
Shops & essentials
Heyford Wharf — Newsagent / Convenience Store. Access: Bridge 206. Map & reviews
Supplies in Thrupp — Local shops and facilities are listed in this area. Map & reviews
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: Thrupp. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Thames river conditions · Thames restrictions and closures
Stage 5 · Lechlade option
Thrupp to Bablock Hythe

Lechlade option: join the Thames via Duke’s Cut and head upstream towards Bablock Hythe.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.
Pubs & food
Bablock Hythe Ferry Visitor Moorings — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Thames Path, Riverside. Map & reviews
The Ferryman Inn, Bablock Hythe — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Thames Path, Riverside. Visit website Map & reviews
Places to visit

Enjoy the scenery along this stretch. The base team can suggest places to explore nearby.

Shops & essentials

No supply stops are listed for this stage. Stock up before setting off and ask the base team about nearby shops.

Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: Bablock Hythe. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Thames river conditions · Thames restrictions and closures
Stage 6 · Lechlade option
Bablock Hythe to the Olde Swan at Radcot

Lechlade option: follow the upper Thames through riverside countryside towards Radcot.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.
Pubs & food
Ye Olde Swan at Radcot — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Thames Path, Riverside. Map & reviews
Places to visit

Enjoy the scenery along this stretch. The base team can suggest places to explore nearby.

Shops & essentials

No supply stops are listed for this stage. Stock up before setting off and ask the base team about nearby shops.

Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: the Olde Swan at Radcot. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Thames river conditions · Thames restrictions and closures
Stage 7 · Lechlade option
Olde Swan at Radcot to Lechlade & back

Lechlade option: cruise to Lechlade, turn and begin retracing your upstream branch.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.
Pubs & food
The Trout at Tadpole Bridge — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Tadpole bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
Places to visit

Enjoy the scenery along this stretch. The base team can suggest places to explore nearby.

Shops & essentials

No supply stops are listed for this stage. Stock up before setting off and ask the base team about nearby shops.

Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: Lechlade & back. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Thames river conditions · Thames restrictions and closures
Stage 8 · Henley option
Alternative: choose Henley instead

Henley option: choose the downstream branch instead of the Lechlade stages. Both choices need a return journey to Napton.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.

Pubs & food

No named food stops are listed for this stage. Ask the base team for local suggestions and check opening times before setting off.

Places to visit

Enjoy the scenery along this stretch. The base team can suggest places to explore nearby.

Shops & essentials

No supply stops are listed for this stage. Stock up before setting off and ask the base team about nearby shops.

Moorings & cruising

Choose your river itinerary before leaving Thrupp. Follow either the Lechlade stages or the Henley stages, then allow time to return to Napton. Agree river access and licence arrangements with the base.
Thames river conditions
Stage 9 · Henley option
Thrupp to Abingdon

Henley option: cruise through Oxford and continue downstream on the Thames to Abingdon.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.
Pubs & food
Food stops in Oxford — Explore the local pubs and places to eat. Access: Aristotle Lane visitor moorings. Map & reviews
Nags Head pub, Abingdon — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Abingdon Bridge & Moorings. Visit website Map & reviews
The Kings Head & Bell, Abingdon — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Abingdon Bridge & Moorings. Map & reviews
Restaurants & Takeaways, Abingdon — Restaurant, Takeaway. Map & reviews
Places to visit
Oxford — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Aristotle Lane visitor moorings. Map & reviews
Abingdon — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Abingdon Bridge & Moorings. Map & reviews
Shops & essentials
Supplies in Oxford — Local shops and facilities are listed in this area. Access: Aristotle Lane visitor moorings. Map & reviews
Supplies in Abingdon — Local shops and facilities are listed in this area. Access: Abingdon Bridge & Moorings. Map & reviews
Waitrose, Abingdon — Supermarket. Access: Abingdon Bridge & Moorings. Map & reviews
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: Abingdon. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Thames river conditions · Thames restrictions and closures
Stage 10 · Henley option
Abingdon to Goring Moorings

Henley option: follow the Thames through the Wallingford area towards Goring.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.
Pubs & food
Goring Moorings — Fish and Chips, Pub, Restaurant, Shops. Access: Thames Path, Riverside. Map & reviews
Goring Fish and Chips — Fish and Chips, Takeaway. Access: Goring Bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
The Catherine Wheel Pub — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Goring Bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
Places to visit

Enjoy the scenery along this stretch. The base team can suggest places to explore nearby.
Shops & essentials
Goring Moorings — Fish and Chips, Pub, Restaurant, Shops. Access: Thames Path, Riverside. Map & reviews
The Goring Grocer — Shops. Access: Goring Bridge. Map & reviews
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: Goring Moorings. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Thames river conditions · Thames restrictions and closures
Stage 11 · Henley option
Goring Moorings to Henley-on-Thames

Henley option: continue through Pangbourne and Reading towards Henley-on-Thames.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Explore the stops below and choose a permitted visitor mooring when you arrive. Check local stay limits and leave time for the next stretch.
Pubs & food
Food stops in Henley-on-Thames — Explore the local pubs and places to eat. Access: Henley Bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
The Angel on the Bridge — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Henley Bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
Places to visit
Henley-on-Thames — A village or town to explore along the route. Access: Henley Bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
Shops & essentials
Tesco Extra Moorings (Reading) — Supermarket. Access: Short cut-through direct from Thames Path. Map & reviews
Supplies in Henley-on-Thames — Local shops and facilities are listed in this area. Access: Henley Bridge. Visit website Map & reviews
Waitrose, Henley-on-Thames — Supermarket. Access: Henley Bridge. Map & reviews
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stopping area: Henley-on-Thames. Use permitted visitor moorings and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance
Thames river conditions · Thames restrictions and closures
Stage 12 · Homeward cruise
Return to Napton along your chosen route

Return along your chosen Thames branch, rejoin the Oxford Canal and retrace the journey to Napton. Allow for river flow and time ashore.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Follow the return arrangements agreed at handover and allow time for the final approach to the marina.

Pubs & food

No named food stops are listed for this stage. Ask the base team for local suggestions and check opening times before setting off.

Places to visit

Enjoy the scenery along this stretch. The base team can suggest places to explore nearby.

Shops & essentials

No supply stops are listed for this stage. Stock up before setting off and ask the base team about nearby shops.

Moorings & cruising

Return along your chosen route to Napton Marina. Allow time for the full return journey, river conditions, locks and your agreed handover. Check permitted visitor moorings along the way.
Thames river conditions · Current waterway notices

THE LITTLE THINGS MAKE THE HOLIDAY

More than a journey.

A boat that feels like yours.

Your own kitchen, a comfortable place to sleep and a new view outside. Explore the classes and choose the layout that works for your crew. Equipment varies by boat.

Explore our boats

Leave room for doing less.

Coffee on deck. A towpath walk. Supper as the light changes. A route gives your holiday direction; the best moments often happen between the stops.

Bring your favourite people.

Share the steering, work a lock together and make the evenings your own. Full handover training helps you settle into life aboard.

A LITTLE PLANNING, A BETTER HOLIDAY

Before you cast off.

Use this guide to find your kind of holiday. We will help you check the practical details for your dates, boat and crew.

How much cruising should we expect?

Allow time for locks, tunnel passages, stops ashore and your agreed return to Napton. Choose extra days for a slower holiday. Locks, queues, weather and stops ashore all affect the time you need. Allow a margin for returning the boat.

Do we have to follow every stop?

No. These are suggested stages, rather than reserved moorings or a fixed day-by-day schedule. Choose suitable permitted moorings and agree your return time with the base.

How do we check the route before travelling?

Check current navigation notices and plan your daily cruising before departure. Check CRT notices · Open CanalPlan

Can you help us choose?

Tell us your dates, who is travelling and whether you prefer quiet cruising or an active adventure. Ask our team

START MAKING MEMORIES