Magdalen Bridge Boat House

When in Oxford go punting! During the final days of my trip to Oxford I had a difficult decision to go to London or enjoy the afternoon in Oxford. Going punting was a great choice!
In the beginning, my group was split in to 2 boats. Both punting boats had trouble staying straight. That’s what he said. The boating system relies on a long stick pushing on the floor of the canal. Think of a gondola only with out the singing. The difficulty is using the pole to steer the boat. Against your instincts you must steer the tale in the direction you want to go and not the way you think it will go. Let’s just say one boat was going in circles and the boat house owner didn’t look amused. I got suck in a tree trying to avoid the other group boats. A tip don’t fight the water let the water take you. Push it real good!
We had some vary embarrassing moments captured on photos and instagram but it added to the fun on the experience. It was great for team building and nobody fell in. When all desperation was high and hope was lost. We pushed forward because our goal was to find a place to get drinks. The one person with some boat knowledge and paid attention during the punting instructions became our leader. We did get 2 large Pimms pitchers once we reached our destination. So worth it! Don’t worry I was a designated punter so I didn’t drink too much. Surprisingly after drinking and relaxing punting is a lot easier.
Despite embarrassment we all had a great laugh and memorable stories to tell of our adventure. I highly recommend punting with friends if weather permits.

This is a must-​do activity when in Oxford and I cannot recommend it enough!
Punting has a long tradition in Oxford and this boathouse has been connected to Magdalen college since its conception. This gives the place a rich history, and it can be seen as you travel along the river.
this is actually the second time I have gone punting at this place this year, and both times we have had a wonderful experience. The staff at the boathouse are all very busy but always friendly and approachable. There is a high turnover of people getting in and off boats, but there is never the feeling that we are cattle being moved around and having money taken form us. There is still a personal element to it which is very nice.
The owner of the boathouse has been working both days I have been, and he is an incredibly friendly man who recommended buying champagne and strawberries to enjoy the punting more. On the second time of punting he actually remembered us. This is a subtle yet very important point as he must see hundreds of customers a day but he remembered me 3 months later. That was a very nice touch.
For those interested in punting, you have two options:
Sit back and enjoy your own guide to punt you and your friends/​significant other around the scenery.
OR
Punt yourself!
We chose the second option and had such a fun time! I obviously was amazing at punting being a sort of veteran by now, but others just couldn’t seem to nail the technique. Both outcomes led to a very relaxing float down the river in the figure of 8 loop mapped out.
If it is sunny, and you want to treat yourselves to an hour or two of champagne and relaxation, come down here and get on the river!

Una de las mejores experiencias que podréis vivir en Oxford. Recorrer el canal en uno de estos botes que te ofertan a un precio razonable será algo que nunca olvidaréis. Además, tienen distintas ofertas según la ocasión lo requiera (familias, parejas, despedidas de soltera…). Yo lo recomiendo mucho, si estáis de visita y vais a dejaros dinero en algo en Oxford que sea en esto.

a nice piece of oxford history the magdalen bridge boathouse.
family friendly and also alot of fun to go punting in the river the best time to do this is in the summer along the river in oxford .
your surrounded by history where punting down the river and you could always stop by the river side and have a lovely picnic.

Punting is an experience which typifies Oxford and there is no better place to do it than here. Although it is somewhat expensive (if you know a student, get them to book a college punt for free!), whether you choose to go up or down the river, you will be treated to scenic views. You may even see some of the college rowing crews training. Beware of falling in, a bit of practice goes a long way!

The one and only time I’ve punted was from this boathouse. I had so much fun learning to punt!

There’s no better way to spend a summer afternoon in Oxford than punting. Don’t expect to be any good — getting stuck in trees and splashinge everyone is all part of the fun!
The Magdalen Bridge boathouse is centrally located and they’ve got punts, old-​fashioned rowing boats, pedaloes and a little shop with straw hats, ice creams and souvenirs. However, it feels rather squashed and rushed waiting for boats. If you fancy a lazy afternoon sipping Pimms and having a floating picnic in the sun, you can get a professional punter to guide you down the river. (£20 for 30 mins including complementary bottle of wine)
If you do it yourself, they give you basic instruction and then you can pick whether to go North or South. North ends up near the University Parks which is excellent for a picnic, whilst South takes you round Christchurch meadows. Both are beautifully scenic and quiet.
Never underestimate the time it will take you to get back! I would hire for 2 – 3 hours to make the most of it.
Prices for all boats:
Mon-​Fri: £12/​hour
Weekends: £14/​hour
Punts take up to 5 people (although more than 4 is pushing it!)
Rowing boats take up to 4 people
In summer it is worth booking in advance.

It is an easier place to learn to punt than Folly Bridge (too deep, too many other boats).
It is a more scenic place to learn to punt than the Cherwell boat house.
You start off under Magdalen Tower and college, you can punt downstream past the Botanic Gardens and Christchurch Meadow or go up river — but I can’t remember what you see that way, the last time I went there were still signs asking «ladies» to get out of the punt and to walk around «Parsons’ Pleasure» where men bathed naked in the Cherwell. I think it is part of a cycle path now.
On the other hand there are plenty of people to watch you get stuck in the bank, stuck in the trees and stuck in the mud.
The boathouse is reached by a little path down the side of the bridge.
If you are going punting make sure you have enough cash or a credit card to leave as a deposit. They sometimes ask for up to 50 pounds as a deposit which you lose if you bring the punt back too wet. Teenagers sometimes find it fun to swim from the punts, to have splashing battles between punts or to throw the cushions in the river. All of these are a good way to lose your deposit.