Oxford Canoe and Kayak Club

The Oxford Canoe and Kayak Club sits right on the Thames, a proper working paddling centre rather than a tourist attraction you'd visit for the afternoon. If you're staying at Oxford Riverside Glamping or Bablock Hythe and fancy getting on the water, this is where locals actually launch. You can hire canoes or kayaks, or if you're already competent, simply turn up with your own kit and join the river traffic heading out towards Port Meadow. The stretch here is manageable - gentle current, wide enough that you won't feel hemmed in, and you'll paddle past meadows and the occasional moored narrowboat.

It's genuinely good for families who want something more active than a riverside walk, though you'll need some basic confidence in water. Most paddlers here are doing proper kilometres rather than pottering about, so expect to see experienced canoeists mixing with beginners. Spring and summer are obviously better than November, when the river's cold and the appeal drops sharply.

Before you book anything, ring ahead - it's a volunteer-run club and opening hours vary with the season and who's available. The beauty of staying at either of the nearby parks is that you're only five or six miles from the river without being stuck in Oxford's town centre. If paddling doesn't appeal, the Thames Path runs right past here anyway, so you can walk alongside it for free. Worth ringing to check their rental prices and whether you need to be a member.