
Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant
An upscale European dining experience in an Edwardian boathouse by the River Cherwell, offering a unique blend of cuisine and punting.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant

Highlights
Must-see attractions
An upscale European dining experience in an Edwardian boathouse by the River Cherwell, offering a unique blend of cuisine and punting.
Book an outdoor table
For the best views, reserve a table outside by the river to soak in the ambiance.
Plan for parking
Parking is limited, especially on weekends. Arrive early or consider alternative transport.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Modern British
Price
$$$
Phone
+44 1865 552746
Address
Bardwell Rd, Oxford, OX2 6ST, United Kingdom
Website
cherwellboathouse.co.uk/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Riverside Dining Experience
Enjoy a romantic meal by the river, watching punts glide by from a charming Victorian boathouse.

Modern British Cuisine
Indulge in creative dishes with English and French influences, featuring seasonal ingredients.

Punting and Dining
Combine a delightful meal with the quintessential Oxford experience of punting on the River Cherwell.
Plans like a pro.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book an outdoor table
For the best views, reserve a table outside by the river to soak in the ambiance.
Plan for parking
Parking is limited, especially on weekends. Arrive early or consider alternative transport.
Consider pre-ordering
For large groups, pre-ordering can help streamline service and avoid any day-of confusion.
Dress code
While upscale, the atmosphere is relaxed. Smart casual is appropriate, though some visitors dress up for special occasions.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book an outdoor table
For the best views, reserve a table outside by the river to soak in the ambiance.
Plan for parking
Parking is limited, especially on weekends. Arrive early or consider alternative transport.
Consider pre-ordering
For large groups, pre-ordering can help streamline service and avoid any day-of confusion.
Dress code
While upscale, the atmosphere is relaxed. Smart casual is appropriate, though some visitors dress up for special occasions.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Cherwell Boathouse offers a picturesque riverside setting with generally well-prepared, seasonal food and attentive service, making it a popular choice for special occasions and leisurely lunches. While many praise the ambiance and food quality, some reviews note minor disappointments with specific dishes or service during peak times.
"An incredible setting to host an event!
I had the pleasure of photographing a wedding at Cherwell Boathouse this season and it was beautiful. A waterside setting, with the bride and groom punting in for their arrival, a fabulous wedding breakfast in the marquee followed by an epic party in the lower boathouse.
Highly recommend this venue for any private or corporate events."
Lucy Davenport
"We visited for our anniversary and were welcomed into a lovely atmosphere with friendly, attentive service. We enjoyed a three-course meal each — both the starter and main courses were excellent. However, we were a little disappointed with the dessert cheese sharing board. Having to ask for butter was unexpected, and the portion size felt small for the price. That said, it was still a very pleasant experience overall, and the corkage fee was fair."
Blake Robinson
"Probably the worst experience I had in a restaurant.
Made a reservation for a special dinner for our wedding anniversary and asked a special request. They had my name on the reservation but did not reserve a table so when we arrived we got whatever table was left.
The chairs and tables are small and wonky making it really difficult to eat as everything is almost falling out. Barely any space between tables and chairs back to back making your meal a ‘family’ meal as we are so closed to other people you could reach their food with your fork.
The food wasn’t anything special. Worse than that my ‘pink’ steak was completely raw. Fries overcooked and very dark brown.
Took 20 minutes to get our order and had to request twice to the waiters floating around. The bill equally the same time to wait.
Do not recommend. Expensive and low quality products and terrible customer service."
Silvana Santos
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant offers an understated yet upscale atmosphere, set in a charming Victorian boathouse by the river, ideal for romantic dinners or special occasions.
Yes, punt hire is available from mid-March to mid-October, offering a delightful way to experience the River Cherwell.
Absolutely! It's a highly recommended venue for private and corporate events, weddings, and celebrations, with exceptional service.
The menu features modern British cuisine with English and French influences, focusing on seasonal ingredients and hearty dishes.
Yes, the menu typically includes vegetarian alternatives to the main dishes.
Parking space is limited, especially during peak times. It's advisable to arrive early or consider alternative transportation.
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Yes, it’s a boathouse – a Victorian one at that – where students and tourists hire punts for floating picnics on the River Cherwell. But it’s also one of the city’s best restaurants, hidden down a track in affluent North Oxford. In summer you can eat out on the deck, listen to the soft splash of punts on the river and enjoy ambitious but well-balanced fare such as silver mullet with pickled Cevennes onion, rainbow chard and cheesy potato espuma (foam).
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With its irresistible riverside setting, 1.5 miles north of central Oxford, the century-old Cherwell Boathouse makes a perfect setting for a lazy lunch or romantic summer evening. Short seasonally changing menus feature British standards like lamb loin with peas or plaice with shrimp sauce, and there are always a couple of vegetarian alternatives.
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The prospect of chilling out on a hugely desirable decked terrace by the river Cherwell makes this enchanting Victorian boathouse one of Oxford’s great delights – and that’s before you factor in its glorious wine… Read more. The prospect of chilling out on a hugely desirable decked terrace by the river Cherwell makes this enchanting Victorian boathouse one of Oxford’s great delights – and that’s before you factor in its glorious wine cellar and the added temptations of punting on the water. Dating from 1904, this beloved institution is also a good shout for capably handled food with noticeable English and French accents.
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A charming Edwardian boathouse – and as you can see in the photo above, yes it is a working boathouse – however with an upscale but friendly restaurant inside The boathouse has been in operation for over one hundred years and from Mid-March to Mid-October you can hire a punt to enjoy the river at a cost of £18 an hour or £90 a day at weekends (or for slightly less during the week). On the menu is a range of hearty dishes including classic English mains like braised shoulder of lamb, blade of Oxfordshire beef and roast chicken. Their feasting menu offers two courses for £20.50 or three courses for £26.25.
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The Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant is a family-owned restaurant, with an AA Rosette, that was started in an authentic Victorian working Boathouse, alongside the punt station (established in 1904). Dine next to a particularly tranquil spot on the banks of the River Cherwell – swans, punts, sunshine and all. Alongside an award-winning wine list, the restaurant offers a modern English food menu which includes Cotswold chicken breast, poached halibut, and heritage beetroot tart fine.cherwellboathouse.co.uk/restaurant/
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If you like your meals with a view, book a riverfront table at Cherwell Boathouse, a family-owned restaurant housed in an authentic Victorian boathouse. Seasonal menus are prepared by head chef, Paul Bell, and tend to include a myriad of exquisite flavours and ingredients, from the likes of crab cannelloni and beer-brined poussin to a 10-layered vegetable lasagne. Wrap all that up with views of people calmly floating past on their punts, and you’ve got yourself a meal out worth shouting about.
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The restaurant was started in an authentic Victorian working Boathouse, alongside the punt station (established in 1904) on the banks of the river Cherwell by Anthony Verdin, a local entrepreneur and connoisseur of fine wine and food. It is still family-owned and run today by John Verdin, Anthony’s eldest son, and his team of hard working, friendly waiting staff who enjoy delivering a professional and special service. This is a great location for lunch dinner and punting all in one place.
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It doesn’t get much more Oxford than Cherwell Boathouse, set on the banks of the river, beside the punting station. The beloved family-run spot has been around for years, and is currently helmed by John Verdin, son of the original founder Anthony Verdin. It focuses on modern English food: begin with starters of southern fried partridge or confit salmon ahead of mains like braised pork belly, crisp falafel with coconut and garlic yoghurt, or skrei cod with lemon and heritage kale.
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The riverside Cherwell Boathouse is still a bucolic classic, dishing up great game that isn’t always the ideal precursor to punting. The Punter, by the river on Osney Island, used to do my favourite roast; owner Tom Rainey turned it – to my initial horror – into my new favourite vegetarian restaurant (try the tagliatelle with burrata, truffle and hazelnut pesto). Rainey also owns The Porterhouse, just across the water, which serves the best steak I’ve had in years.
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For a lunch with a view book a table at Cherwell Boathouse, an Oxford institution serving a modern European menu (expect everything from Jerusulem artichoke arancini to guinea fowl with celeriac fondant). On our visit we tried crisp brown shrimp fritters with a gently spiced carrot and caraway purée and sweet onion chutney. Pink duck breast came in a rich blood orange sauce with tender kale and buttery Pommes Anna, but desserts are where it really impressed.
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Next on the list is The Cherwell Boathouse, an idyllic riverside restaurant known for its classic British cuisine. What sets this place apart is not just its food but also the opportunity to rent a punt for a romantic outing on the river before or after your meal. The combination of dining by the water’s edge and enjoying a leisurely punt ride offers a uniquely Oxford experience, blending fine dining with the beauty of the city’s waterways.
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Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant isn’t a rooftop per se, but I find riverside restaurants to be equally exciting, so it has made the list anyway. Offering understated, upscale dining by the river, this restaurant is a true treat for your tastebuds. Their menu is incredibly creative and it changes regularly, but some current stars of the show are their caramelised onion fondue and their vegetarian cassoulet.
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The Cherwell Boathouse is located on the banks of the River Cherwell, a beautiful picturesque location for a fine dining experience. The menu features modern British cuisine, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients so you get to taste the freshest produce. There’s also an extensive wine list on offer, with the restaurant managers on hand to assist with choosing the best wine to compliment your meal.
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We headed to the Cherwell Boathouse to rent a punt, which looks a bit like a canoe except it is a flat-bottomed boat with a square-cut bow. One person sits down and the other stands on a section of the boat with a pole and pushes the pole against the river bed and sides with a pole. It turns out that a punt is more difficult to steer and navigate than a canoe, at least in our inexperienced cases!
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Punting at Cherwell Boathouse is a traditionally English, must-have experience. As Oxford's largest punt station, it boasts over 80 handmade wooden punts in the water, all hand built on site by expert local craftsmen. Punting is a truly timeless, slightly eccentric, quintessentially Oxford, idyllic pleasure: sailing leisurely upstream or down river, trailing fingers in the silky water,...
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Priciest on the list, but definitely worth the extra cost, we have the family-run Cherwell Boathouse, located about a mile from the city centre. Come here for tasty meat and fish dishes (as well as a few vegetarian options), and picturesque views over the River Cherwell. If you’re around in the spring or summer, be sure to hire one of their punts after your meal!
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There isn’t a more romantic or tranquil setting in the city. Dine al fresco on the banks of the River Cherwell, enjoying crowd-pleasing dishes like rump of lamb and smoked haddock tagliatelle, and watch the punts drift by from this converted Victorian boathouse. The award-winning wine list offers plenty of opportunity to splash out for a special occasion.
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Located right on the River Cherwell, Cherwell Boathouse was established in 1904. It serves as both a restaurant and a dock for punting hire, making it the perfect place to spend a summer day. In winter, when the punting season has ended, enjoy the stunning waterside views whilst you dine on seasonal menus and sip on wine recommended by a sommelier.
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Or during the summer there’s a good punting spot set a bit further upriver near the Cherwell Boathouse. As you’re a bit further out of town here the river isn’t quite as busy. You can also get a jug of Pimms from the Boathouse’s Teahut Bar to take out on the water with you. Punt hire costs £17 an hour during the week or £19 per hour at weekends.
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For a special occasion one can choose the Cherwell Boathouse, an Edwardian lodge on the banks of the River Cherwell. Like many of Oxford’s best venues it’s a little tricky to find, but as a dining experience it’s charming. In summer you eat alfresco to the backdrop of punts on the river and in winter you settle inside the cosy boathouse itself.
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The Cherwell Boathouse is an iconic Oxford punt station and restaurant on the banks of the river Cherwell, close to the centre of Oxford. The Restaurant overlooks the river and is a wonderful place to celebrate all types of occasions. The restaurant offers modern English food, with an award winning wine list and friendly attentive service.
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Otherwise, the Cherwell Boathouse might be worth a visit if it is a nice day - it is by the river (no surprise there) and has an incredible wine list (I think it's owned by one of Morris & Verdin). The problem is the food, which my dad says is much improved, but was distinctly middling last time I was there (a year ago today).
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215 has built on the success of The Oxford kitchen and has been awarded 3 Rosettes just … For excellent riverside dining, the Cherwell Boathouse in Oxford, situated on the banks of the River Cherwell and renowned for … Order online. 50% of 2 votes say it's celiac friendly. Worth heading down there on Thursday evenings.
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You can soak in a little of Oxford's history with thisnext restaurant. The city is synonymous with punting and the river, so why not enjoy a riverside meal in a converted boathouse?. Built over a century ago, the Cherwell Boathouse ran a punt hire business for many years, until it became a restaurant in 1968.
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Another gem located by the River Thames is The Cherwell Boathouse, an elegant and upscale restaurant perfect for a romantic evening or a special celebration. This Michelin-recommended restaurant offers a fine dining experience that is both intimate and refined, with views over the river and the boathouse.
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Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant is one of the best rooftop bars in Oxford. They offer a unique dining experience with stunning views of the cityscape. The restaurant is located on the top floor of an old boathouse, and it has a large, incredible roof terrace that overlooks the river Cherwell.
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The Cherwell Boathouse is a charming punt station in the heart of Oxford. The boathouse was established in 1904 and has been run by the family ever since. It looks after 80 handmade punts, which are an idyllic way to spend lazy summer afternoons on the wonderfully quiet stretch of river.
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Take a break from the chaos of city life and immerse yourself in the whimsical world of Cherwell Boathouse in Oxford. Nestled amidst picturesque meadows and serene waterways, this quirky hideaway is the perfect spot to channel your inner gondolier... minus the Italian accent, of course.
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There’s also the Bistro at the Boathouse, the Nut Tree Inn and the Feathered Nest Country Inn among many other impressive restaurants across Oxfordshire. In Oxford with kids?. For something a little more family-oriented, take the kids to Pizza Calzone, Half Moon or Little Amsterdam.
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You can celebrate all types of occasions at Cherwell Boathouse. The venue has a marquee on the terrace overlooking the river and a restaurant, conservatory, and lower boathouse. The marquee can accommodate 20 to 120 guests and caters for informal canapé events, music, and dancing.
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Sit back, watch punts float by and treat yourself to the best wine and food at The Cherwell Boathouse, a family-owned Oxford restaurant. Grab a table on the riverfront and choose from dishes including crab salad, Cotswold chicken breast and a sharing board of five local cheeses.
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The Cherwell Boathouse is an Oxford institution with a modern European menu. This old Victorian boathouse is right on the river and is quite unpretentious. You can sit outside in the summer months or get a seat by the windows for great views of the river in winter.
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Oxford has a smallish number of delicious, upscale restaurants perfect for special occasions. Students: wait until your parents come to visit and make them take you for a meal at Gee's, or in fancy riverside surroundings at the Folly or the Cherwell Boathouse.
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If you like being near water, this is the best restaurant in Oxford to grab a bite at. This is a riverside restaurant set in a Victorian Boathouse with ducks and tranquillity all around. The food can be a little bit fancy, but your tastebuds will thank you.
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The Cherwell Boathouse sits on the banks of the Cherwell River. You get pretty views at dinner with swans majestically floating by a sky turning from blue to pink and black. The Guinea fowl has made me never want to eat chicken again.
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Following the colleges, there are two other venues within walking distance of Oxford city centre, if you want that Bodleian or Ashmolean feel, and a third if you want that summer marquee feel like The Perch or Cherwell Boathouse.
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The Cherwell Boathouse sits riverside, so if you fancy a quick boat trip after your meal, this is the ideal lunch spot. The menu includes seared yellowfin tuna, Cotswold chicken, and chocolate tart to finish.
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Wine and dine as you watch people punting along River Cherwell. For a mix of adventure and a scrumptious Sunday roast, this is the place to be. You’ll hang out with nice people and welcoming staff.
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The Cherwell Boathouse is a family-run boathouse on the River Cherwell where boats can be hired for punting. No trip to Oxford is complete without a session of punting on a perfect summer's day.
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Cherwell Boathouse – be sure to get a table by the window or sit outside and watch the punts drift past at this riverbank eatery. Food is modern European, and the deserts are simply sublime!
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From Cherwell Boathouse, try the students' favourite pastime of punting – flat boats that you push along with a pole – giving you a view of the city from Oxford’s fairytale waterways.
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Cherwell Boathouse is also on the list thanks to the Edwardian boathouse being a “quirky” restaurant and having “well-balanced fare” on the menu.
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Check out The Cherwell Boathouse, The Old Parsonage, or The Plough Inn for a unique and intimate experience in historic buildings.
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Luckily, your dog doesn’t need to miss out, with Cherwell Boathouse on the northern side of Oxford welcoming dogs on their punts.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit