Boating at Cliveden

view of boats moored on the River Thames in front of the Boat House at Cliveden — Boats moored on the Thames in front of the Boat House at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire | © National Trust Images/ Hugh Mothersole

Boating has been a popular pastime at Cliveden for over a hundred years. Cliveden Reach is renowned as one of the prettiest spots on the Thames. Find out more about how you can enjoy boating here.

New dates available for 2023 boating season from 1 April - October

Boating season at Cliveden runs from April until October. Dates for 2023 are now available to book via boatingatcliveden.co.uk. We look forward to welcoming you for a river adventure soon.

Plenty of ways to enjoy the river

‘Boating at Cliveden’ is a boating service, running daily between April to October, subject to river and weather conditions. To reduce pollution, the fleet is fully electric with skippered cruises and self-hire vessels including electric motorboats, Canadian canoes, rowing boats and a pedal boat.

A history of boating for pleasure

Boating on the Thames was a late Victorian and Edwardian craze in most social classes. One of the prettiest stretches of the river, Cliveden Reach had the heaviest traffic of any up-river lock, and on one single day in 1894, a record 129 launches and nearly 1000 smaller craft passed through it.

By 1939, the river-loving Astors owned a varied collection of river craft including skiffs, canoes, (both rowing and Canadian) punts, whiffs, a dinghy and an electric canoe.

Inspiring Wind in the Willows

In 1908 the river was brought to life in Kenneth Grahame’s well-loved children’s classic, The Wind in the Willows. A regular visitor to Cliveden, it is believed Grahame was inspired to write the book by spending time on Cliveden Reach. Why not ‘mess about in boats’ like Ratty and Mole on your own boating adventure?

How to book

Please visit our third-party operator's Boating at Cliveden website for full details.

Skippered Cruises

Available daily, excluding Mondays.

45min Cruise - Adults £13.75, Children £8.25 (includes babies)

2hr Cruise - Adults £23.50, Children £14.50 (includes babies)

Click here to read more about skippered cruises

A view taken sitting inside a boat that's cruising down the river Thames at Cliveden with the water of the river on either side and trees on either bank — Enjoy a trip down the river at Cliveden | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole

Self-hire electric motorboats

Available daily, £64 (peak) and £58 (off-peak) per boat for the first hour, additional hours £55 at all times, maximum 5 people per boat

Click here to read more about self-hire electric motorboats

Self-hire rowing boats

Available daily starting at £17.50 for 30 mins or £25 per boat for an hour, maximum 3 people

Click here to read more about unpowered boats.

Self-hire Canadian canoes

Available daily £25 per boat per hour, £17.50 for 30 mins, maximum 3 people

Click here to read more about unpowered boats.

Self-hire pedal boat

Available daily starting at £35 per boat for the first hour, maximum 2 people

Click here to read more about unpowered boats.

Getting to the river

The shuttle bus service is currently suspended until further notice. Access to The Boathouse is therefore a 20–30-minute walk from the main car park via Yew Tree Steps or Spring Drive.

By walking

From the walled garden, walk towards the house and turn right before the forecourts. Walk alongside the Parterre to Yew Tree Steps to head down to the river. All boating starts from the Boathouse. Alternatively, for a step-free route, please use Spring Drive. A map will be sent through on your boat booking confirmation and can also be viewed here.

By boat

National Trust allows mooring downstream of Spring Cottage along the main riverbank and on two of the four islands. Please ensure you have found a mooring before making your payment on the link below.

Boating at Cliveden and National Trust River Custodians regularly patrol the river along Cliveden Estate. Boating at Cliveden staff have been appointed by National Trust to collect the mooring fees for Cliveden Estate.

Please click the link below to pay your mooring fee, once you have found a mooring post.

Pay your mooring fee

River by-laws

No fires at any time, or in any place
No bikes are permitted
Music is to be kept low in consideration of others
No collection of wood
No visitors allowed in Cliveden’s grounds after estate closing time

Disclaimer

All information correct as of May 2022. On rare occasions, including in the event of inclement weather, there may be a change to the boating schedule at short notice.

If you are making a special trip, please telephone Cliveden in advance during office hours on 01628 605069 for the latest details.