Tooley's Boatyard

The Thames narrowboat traffic between Oxford and the Midlands owes a lot to what happens at Tooley's Boatyard. This working boatyard in Northamptonshire has been building and maintaining narrowboats since 1835, and you can still watch craftspeople doing exactly that - timber work, welding, engine repairs - the sort of proper boat-building that's become rare.

It's not a theme park or a museum with velvet ropes. The appeal here is watching skilled workers get on with the job. If you're into traditional craftsmanship or canal heritage, it's genuinely interesting. Parents with young children might find it a bit slow unless the kids are already boat-mad. Canal enthusiasts, though, will spend a good hour or more poking around and chatting to whoever's willing to talk.

The boatyard sits close enough to Oxford for a detour if you're exploring the canal network, and it pairs well with a stay at one of the nearby holiday parks - Anita's Touring Caravan Park or Fir Tree Campsite are both within five miles. If you're basing yourself at any of these and planning canal walks or even a narrowboat hire, Tooley's is worth an hour of your time.

Best to ring ahead or check current opening hours before you go - it's a working yard, not a visitor attraction with fixed gates, so access and what you'll see depends on the day.