#EscapeTheEveryday

What better way to escape everyday stress than messing about on the water?  If you have a day, a week or just a few hours, you can unwind and take charge of your own river adventure. The River Thames is accessible from so many places whether you are looking for a rural escape or right on your doorstep in London, Reading, Windsor or Oxford. There’s so much choice on the River Thames. 

Check the latest river conditions before going out on the river.

Escape for the day

Whether you want to drive yourself, relax on a skippered launch or participate in a watersport, the Thames offers itself as your playground for a fun-filled family day trip, and the dog can come too! Don’t worry if you haven’t done it before, there’s help at hand to show you the ropes…

• Self-drive day motorboat hire – hire from an hour, a half day or day, with plenty of choice and plenty of locations along the Thames: Henley, Datchet Nr Windsor, Oxford | Wallingford, Thames Ditton, Reading
• Water sports – get active outdoors on the water with a rowing boat, punt canoe, kayak or stand up paddleboard: Henley (rowing and canoeing), Oxford (punts), Bisham Abbey (canoe and paddleboards, sailing)
• Private skippered boats – let an expert, skipper the boat, while you enjoy a picnic on board or watch the riverbank float by: Henley, Windsor, Maidenhead, Marlow, Lower Basildon, Bray

Find out more: Boat Hire on the River Thames

Take a sightseeing or themed cruise to explore the Thames

• Sightseeing cruises from: Oxford, Windsor, Marlow, Bourne End, Henley, Reading, Runnymede, Kingston, Richmond or London
• Themed cruises: Sundowners

Find out more: Boat trips/river cruises on the Thames

Escape for a staycation

Swap driving along busy roads and journey at a gentle pace for a few days, a week or longer on a Boating Holiday. Choose from:

• Hotel Boats Cruising on the River Thames - all-inclusive cruise on a choice of luxury hotel boats offering a unique way to explore the Thames
• Self-drive boat hire on the River Thames offers a wide selection of boats with different features, styles and sizes from 2-12 people, available for short breaks or weekly hire. With spacious cabins, showers and well equipped kitchens you’ll be completely self-contained as you meander along the Thames. Choose from widebeam canal boats, luxury motor cruisers or carefully restored wooden boats.

Find out more: Boating Holidays on the Thames

We've brought together some of our partners along the Thames to provide active water-based experiences. Take a look and book a staycation now!

• Short Break Package at Henley Greenlands Hotel - Book a 3 or 4 night break at Henley Greenlands Hotel with chocolate, beer and rowing!

• Watersports Short Break Package at Macdonald Compleat Angler - Combine a relaxing 3-4 night stay at the Macdonald Compleat Angler on the riverside at Marlow, with a variety of watersports: canoeing, paddleboarding and waterbiking!

Marinas and services

Marinas offer a range of facilities and services for yachts and small boats.  As well as moorings you may also find facilities for refuelling, marine and boat chandlers, stores and restaurants and even an opportunity to buy your own boat. Most of the marinas along the River Thames can be found in country park or tranquil garden settings along some of the loveliest reaches of the Thames.  A great place for a walk, a picnic, or lunch alongside the river. You can even buy your picnic at The Local Larder at Willow Marina.  Or enjoy the relaxed bistro atmosphere at riverside restaurants such as the Riverside Brasserie at Bray Marina or GoGos at Racecourse Marina, Windsor.

Find out more: Marinas and Services

Owning a boat

Have you enjoyed a boating holiday this summer and thinking about buying your own boat, or upgrading to a newer boat, a home from home in a tranquil riverside setting to enjoy any day, weekend or evening? From canoes and small powered boats to motor cruisers and narrowboats, the River Thames is the perfect place to start your adventure. There are a large number of boatyards dotted along the river that sell new and used boats to suit all budgets. If you would like to own your own boat but it’s too much an investment of time and money, take a look at ‘Membership Boating’. If you're looking for something special, have a boat built for you.

Find out more: Owning a boat | Boat Builders and Boatyards

The Official British Marine App

The complete App solution for planning your leisure activities during your trip on the  non-tidal and tidal River Thames; from Lechlade to the Thames Barrier.
For smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops; iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, macOS, Windows