1-800-734-5491
Benson

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Take advantage of our low deposits and secure your boating vacation today with just a 25% deposit. 2nd payment (up to 50%) is due by December 31st, 2024. Balance due 90 days before departure. Gold Trusted Service Award

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Boating expertise since 1969

With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water. Boat

World’s largest fleet

We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people. Life buoy

No boat license required

That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.
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Our base in Benson

Waterfront, Benson, OX10 6SJ
River Thames

About Benson

Benson is located at the quiet and rural end of the Thames where the river is flanked by rolling countryside and farmland and quaint villages. Moorings are easy to find and the distance between locks is slightly greater than at the river’s eastern end – which means more cruising. The dreaming spires and universities of Oxford is a 6hr cruise to the west of Benson. Or, head east and in 6hrs you’ll be in Henley-on-Thames, home of British rowing. Royal Windsor is 12 hrs from Benson.

Check availability

From Benson it is:

  • 15hrs (21 locks) to our base in Chertsey

View our Benson base on Google Maps

What you get on the base

Facilities

  • Toilets and showers 
  • Wifi
  • Luggage storage available (at own risk)

Extras & options for your cruise

The following extras are available to prebook or purchase locally at this base. A reduced fee will apply to items that are prebooked. Please see ‘Vacation Extras‘ for more details about each extra. Restrictions apply.

Practical extras

  • Early check-in & late check-out
  • Boat cleaning
  • Parking – (see ‘Travel info‘ tab)
  • Car transfer (see ‘Travel info‘ tab)
  • Eco cleaning pack
  • Lantern
  • Top-deck cushions

Fun extras

  • Bike hire
  • Special occasion gift baskets

Travel to Benson

View our Benson base on Google Maps

By train

Closest train stations:

  • Cholsey: 8km
  • Reading: 20km
  • Oxford: 20km
  • Didcot: 16km

By Road

Be prepared

It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with local road rules and abide by them. Most European countries have a list of compulsory equipment that you must take with you. For driving advice and a list of the equipment you’ll need, please visit https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe

Directions

The Benson base is situated on the A4074 between Oxford and Reading. From London take the M40 and head west, exiting at junction 7. Turn left onto the A329 and follow signs towards Wallingford. Stay on the A329, passing through Little Milton, Stadhampton, Newington and Warborough. At Shillingford, turn left at the roundabout onto the A4074 towards Reading. Follow this road for 0.9miles until you reach another roundabout (you’ll see a McDonalds and a BP garage ahead of you). Go straight over and continue for another 0.4miles. The entrance to the base is on the right hand side, look out for the sign that says ‘WATERFRONT’.

Car rental

  • Eurodrive UK: Riches Sidings, Lower Broadway, Didcot OX11 8AG, UK (15 Min from the base)
  • Oxford: Hertz Ferry Hinksey Rd, Osney, Oxford OX2 0ES, UK
  • Reading : 6-8 Commercial Rd, Reading RG2 0QZ, UK
  • Gatwick airport 
  • Heathrow airport

Parking

Secure parking onsite (pre-bookable extra – fee applies).

No van or trailor space.

By air

Closest airports:

  • Gatwick : 120 km (M25)
  • London Heathrow : 61 km (M25)

Arrival at Benson

For more details about:

  • when to arrive at our bases
  • what to expect when you arrive 
  • how to prepare for check-in
  • what happens on your final day when you return your boat

visit our ‘arrivals‘ page.

Le Boat base Le Boat base
Point of interest Point of interest