Thames Rivercruise (Reading)
BEST FOR
Ages 0-14
ENTRY
from £12.50
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
River cruises from Caversham on the Thames, from short round trips to tea cruises and a self drive picnic boat.
You board at Caversham and the trip itself does the work: short round trips of 45 to 90 minutes, tea cruises that stretch to two or three hours, or the longer Goring and Streatley routes if you fancy watching the Thames go by for a while. There's a half term trip with a spooky twist that's clearly aimed at families, and if you'd rather be in charge, you can hire a self drive picnic boat for up to 12 people and just potter about for an hour or two.
Prices start at £12.50 for the half term trips and climb to £32 for the Goring weekend shuttle, with the self drive boat at £100. That's a proper day-out price rather than a pocket-money one, but the half term deal sweetens it a bit, since one child travels free with an adult on Tuesdays to Thursdays. You can't bring your own food onboard the scheduled cruises, so budget for the bar and snacks they sell instead, or eat before you get on.
It's card only onboard, so leave the cash at home. The Caversham Lady has level access and an accessible toilet if that matters to you, though motorised wheelchairs can't board and the accessible vessel isn't guaranteed on every sailing, since the boats rotate. Well-behaved dogs are allowed at the crew's discretion, which is a nice touch if you're bringing the family pet along for the ride.
Parking is at the Thameside Promenade car park, pay and display, and there's separate parking near Goring if you're doing that cruise instead. Tickets are non-refundable and tied to the specific trip you book, so it's worth being sure of the date before you pay.
What’s on here
- THU8
Sonning Mill Ferry
12:00 · from £15 · 17 more dates
- THU8
Sonning Loop
13:15 - 14:15 · from £10 · 17 more dates
- FRI9
Goring Weekend Shuttle
from £32 · 33 more dates
- SAT10
Goring 60 Minute Weekend Cruise
10:30 - 11:30 · from £15 · 33 more dates
- SAT10
Goring to Wallingford Weekend Cruise
14:30 - 17:00 · from £25 · 33 more dates
- SAT10
Goring Saturday Sundowner Cruise
18:00 · from £25 · 16 more dates
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 0 to 14; toddlers to young teens can all find a trip that fits
- Parking
- Thameside Promenade Car Park, pay and display, charges apply
- Food
- Fully stocked bar with hot and cold drinks on all vessels
- Pushchairs
- Welcome on private parties. On scheduled events subject to passenger numbers
- Wheelchairs
- Caversham Lady offers level easy access with accessible toilets
- Dogs
- Guide and service dogs welcome
- Worth knowing
- One child travels free Tue-Thur with an adult on Half Term Experience Trips
- Tickets aren't refundable or transferable to another trip, so double check the date before booking
- One child goes free with an adult on the half term trips, Tuesday to Thursday
- The boat used for scheduled cruises rotates, so ask ahead if you specifically need the accessible one
- Changing facilities onboard are limited given the space
- The office runs Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, for booking queries
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
It depends on the trip. Half term trips start at £12.50, the Goring weekend shuttle is £32, and the self drive picnic boat is £100 for up to 12 people.
Do we need to book in advance?
The site doesn't mention turning up on spec, and tickets are tied to a specific date and trip with no refunds, so it makes sense to book ahead.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
Ages run from babies up to 14, and pushchairs are welcome on private parties. On scheduled cruises it depends on passenger numbers, but there's storage for pushchairs at Caversham Pier.
Can we bring our own food and drink?
Not on scheduled cruises. There's a bar with hot and cold drinks and some snacks on board, but you'll need to eat beforehand if you want a proper meal.
Can we pay by cash?
No, it's card only on every vessel.
Is there parking nearby?
Parking at Caversham is at the Thameside Promenade car park, pay and display. For the Goring cruise, use the Wheel Orchard Car Park, also pay and display.
How long does a cruise take?
That varies by trip. Round trips from Caversham run 45 to 90 minutes, tea cruises run 2 to 3 hours, and Goring cruises run 1 to 2.5 hours.
Are dogs allowed?
Guide and service dogs always come along, and well-behaved pet dogs may be allowed on scheduled cruises and private charters, at the crew's discretion.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The Caversham Lady has level access and an accessible toilet, but motorised wheelchairs can't board and that particular vessel isn't guaranteed for every sailing.
Can we book a private charter for a party?
Private charters run all year, with a deposit and reservation form needed to secure the date and the balance due 14 days before you sail.
What if someone in our group has a food allergy?
They can cater for allergies on ticketed events with food and private charters, though menus can't be changed just for personal preference and allergens can't be fully guaranteed.
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