Museums & Galleries · Oxfordshire
Tooley's Historic Boatyard
📍 OX16 2PQ
Photo: tooleysboatyard.co.uk
- Museum telling 250 years of boatyard history with artefacts
- Watch volunteers restore historic wooden narrowboat Hardy
- Working forge dating from 1778 in the heart of Banbury
- Boat trips on Dancing Duck each Saturday in summer
- RYA boating courses and blacksmith courses at the forge
Tooley's Historic Boatyard is a small museum and working heritage site in Banbury, Oxfordshire, telling the story of 250 years of boatyard life through original artefacts. You can see the traditional forge, first opened in 1778, watch volunteers restoring the historic wooden narrowboat Hardy, and browse the chandlery. Saturdays throughout the summer bring boat trips on the Dancing Duck, and RYA boating or blacksmith courses run for those wanting a hands-on experience. It suits visitors curious about canal history and traditional trades. Banbury station is just 0.3 miles away, making it an easy stop, and there are 16 bookable places to stay within five miles if you fancy extending your visit.
Practical details
- Open
- Boat trips run Saturdays throughout the summer
- Best for
- Those interested in canal heritage and traditional crafts
From the attraction's own website on 22 Sep 2026 — check before you travel.
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Create a free account to claimPlaces to stay near Tooley's Historic Boatyard
Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
0.1 mi
0.3 mi
0.6 mi
0.9 mi
2.6 mi
2.8 mi
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🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to Tooley's Historic Boatyard into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.
🚆 Or come by train
- Banbury 0.3 miles
- Kings Sutton 3.7 miles
- Heyford 10.1 miles
Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page