Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant & Punt Station

by Oxford Explorer (subscribe)

A long standing family business established in 1904, Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant and Punt Station enjoys a picturesque position on the tranquil river bank.

Away from the major hectic tourists spots, this is a great way to experience a quintessential Oxford. The Cherwell Boathouse restaurant has appeared for many years in the Good Food Guide as well as Toptable 2010. I recently enjoyed lunch here, sat on their al fresco decked terrace in the sunshine watching novice punters setting off up the river on an Oxfordshire adventure.


The week day lunch offer (Mon - Fri) was incredibly good value for money considering the standard of cuisine, location and attentive waitress. A main course and glass of wine was just £12. Arriving first was rosemary and olive oil bread with a truffle mayonnaise on the side. A different take on bread and oil and very moreish.

My husband devoured the Beef Bavette for main and I appreciated the broad bean, Pecorino and lemon risotto. It had just the right balance of oozing cheese and a freshness from the beans and lemon. The white wine which accompanied our meal was an Oxford Dry which lived up to our more well known international neighbours. It's definitely inspired me to explore our local wine industry. If we'd had a little more time we could have easily spent the afternoon here and sampled more courses.


During the summer their tea hut is open where you can buy hot & cold drinks and summer ice cream favourites before taking a punt up the river.



The Cherwell Boathouse Punt Station is a great starting point to explore the river and much more relaxed than some of the tourist hotspots. Rather than just punting aimless around, why not take a punt to the Victoria Arms and stop for refreshments before a leisurely trip back to the punt station. Punts are £14 per hour on weekdays and £17 at weekends with 6 people per boat. You can't truly say you've experienced Oxford until you have been punting.

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Why? Fantastic food and great punting spot

When: Lunch 12 - 2:30pm last orders Dinner 6pm to 9:30pm last orders

Phone: 01865 552746

Website: www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk

Where: Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6ST

Cost: Lunch mains around £16 with week day lunch offers from £12

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