Messing About on the River Thames

The simplest way to explore the river is on the water! Hire a rowing boat, a canoe or kayak, a punt, stand up paddle board or a self-driver cruiser. If you are looking for an adventure why not hire a boat for the week or a few days and create some great family memories.

Many train stations are within walking distance of the Thames Path, so leave the car at home and make a day of it with a walk along the river!

• Hobbs of Henley provides rowing boats and a variety of other self-drive options available for hire by the hour or by the day including diesel, outboard and electric launches. Take a picnic and enjoy a lazy summer's day boating. For a special family occasion book an Edwardian launch for up to 12 with your very own skipper.
• Salters Steamers offers a different type of boating experience. As well as electric motorboats and diesel day boats, Salters hires punts. Punting remains one of the most enjoyable summer activities and a quintessential pastime for Oxonians.
• Self-drive electric or diesel boats are available from Kris Cruisers at Datchet, near Windsor or Pure Boating at Wallingford
• If you want to be more active try canoeing or stand up paddleboarding: Henley Canoe Hire is based in Henley-on-Thames and Moose Canoe and SUP Hire at Bisham Abbey. Either pick up from their base or they will meet you at various stations/locations along the river outside of London. Choose from day, weekend or weekly hire. 

If you want to take a more leisurely option and have time to view the interesting sights, join a public river cruise. Choose from : 

• Hobbs of Henley, Henley: sightseeing, vintage afternoon tea cruise, gin cruises, wildlife, jazz and santa cruises
• French Brothers, Windsor: 40 minute trip from Windsor travelling upstream to Boveney Lock. The view of the castle from the river is undoubtedly the finest there is and the trip is a good length for children.
• Thames Rivercruise, Reading: Also from/to Pangbourne and Goring – sightseeing, Sundowner cruise, Reading Abbey Shuttle, Beale Wildlife Park, Sunday Lunch, Afternoon Tea or Swan Upping.
• If you’re in London City Cruises offers the Family River Red a great value sightseeing ticket (24 hr pass). The River Red Rover is all-day hop on, hop off Thames river pass offering unlimited access to the river for 24 hours.
• Or why not try City Cruises Thamesjet! A full-on, adrenaline-fueled ride of your life on the only jet boat fleet on the river (well apart from police and military boats which patrol the Thames).

Recommendations for cruises on the Thames:

• Salters Steamers - Alice in Wonderland Cruise -2.5 hour round trip taking in views of Iffley Lock passing through Osney Lock into Port Meadow with its abundance of wildlife.
• Hobbs of Henley – Wildlife Cruise – Tuesday 7th Apr, 21st July, 4/11/18/25 Aug
  The wildlife of the River Thames is well known for providing the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame’s ‘The Wind in the Willows’. Join a voyage of discovery with the Chilterns Conservation Board to spot the hidden nature along the Thames and is ideal for families.
• French Brothers – Historic Steamboat Cruise - A cruise on a genuine steam vessel and a journey that takes you through the back garden of Windsor Castle and history unfolds.
• Thames Rivercruise - Beale Wildlife Park Cruise (various days during August) through Wind in the Willows County to Beale Wildlife Park and enjoy exploring the Wildlife Park set in 30 acres of gardens. For the children there’s also a Little Tikes Outdoor Village and miniature train.

Check out the full programme of themed cruises

For something not on the water:

Take a look at River & Rowing Museum, Beale Wildlife Park & Gardens, Cliveden National Trust Gardens, Stonor Park, Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace and check out their family activities and events during the summer holidays.