Bygone Boating

About

Bygone Boating is new to boating holidays on the Thames.

Starting small we offer two classic wooden, restored motor cruisers from our base in Benson in Oxfordshire, providing a great personal, friendly service to our customers. New boats will be added as they are restored.

The boats are as comfortable and functional as we can make them to ensure you have a wonderful holiday. Wooden boats are our passion and we restore them ourselves.

Our base at Benson provides a great starting point for cruising the River Thames. The village has two pubs including the 18th-century coaching inn, The Crown Inn and there are eating facilities on Benson Waterfront.

A days cruising upstream takes you to Oxford or downstream to Henley on Thames. Further upstream takes you through some of the more rural parts of the River Thames. Downstream and you can explore Windsor and cruise by Windsor Castle.

The Boats

BERNADETTE II

30ft Bates Star Craft, 2+2 berth

Built in 1952, hand made by craftsmen and well maintained through the years and now restored to current BSS standards with central heating, additional worktop space and storage in the galley. The TV has internal DVD and a Stereo DAB radio - that can play music from your phone too.                                     

CLAUDETTE IV

 A Johnsons 30, 4/5 berth

Built in 1965, Claudette is now ready for the 2018 season. Designed by Arnott Fowler, who was well known for many boat designs of the time, with lovely mahogany interior and oak beams. She has a nice size shower and warm air heating.  Claudette has a ‘forward helm’ position, and the roof of the saloon goes back leaving the saloon completely open.

ANTOINETTE – COMING SOON

A 30ft Herbert Woods ‘Silver Light’, 4/6 berth

 

FACILITIES ON BOARD THE BOATS

• Shore power – 240v, USB socket                                                                                   
• Shower, flush toilet, wash basin, bathroom cabinet
• Gas oven & hob
• Fridge
• Full set of cooking utensils, crockery and cookware, toaster, kettle, cafetiere.
• Tea, Coffee and Sugar and essential spices if you like to cook!
• T Towels, washing up liquid and wash ups
• Hair Dryer, Iron
• Bedding, towels and pillows                                                                                        
• Cleaning materials                                                                                                               
• Buoyancy jackets
• Free parking on site

          

REVIEW

‘Thank you Sue and Jeff for letting us use your beautiful boat for the week. We were both especially impressed with your attention to detail and how warm, welcoming and friendly you both are. Bernadette II made us feel really special and we loved that she attracted lots of attention from admirers along the river Thames. We will definitely recommend Bygone Boating to others. We both wish you all the best in the future and look forward to hiring from you in the future.’ Best wishes Simon and Julie.

 

BOOKING

Before booking, please remember that at least one person has to have previous boat handling experience

Bookings run from Saturday to Saturday.

Your boat will be ready for you at either 12:00 pm or 2.30 pm.

You will need to return to Benson by 9:00 am on the last Saturday and vacate your boat by 9:30 am.

If you have a bookings question just call - 07375 677823

Prices from £750 to £1300 per week.

Shorter hire periods may be available at certain times of year, please ring to check.