You've got two real options for getting on the water in Bath: hire your own boat at Bath Boating Station from £10 an hour, or let someone else do the work on a Pulteney Cruisers guided trip from Pulteney Weir. Here's how each one works.
Bath Boating Station: hire your own
Bath Boating Station is a Victorian boating station on Forester Road in Bathwick, less than a mile from the Roman Baths, and it's been hiring out boats on this stretch of the Avon since 1833. It's a proper independent, family-run operation rather than a tourist-board attraction, and it looks the part: a wooden Victorian boathouse rather than a modern kiosk.
You can hire:
- Rowing boats: the most popular option, seated with oars and a steering rope, ranging from a 2-person boat up to a 6-person one
- Punts for 2: the traditional, harder version, with one person standing and poling
- Punts for 3 to 5: an easier team version, where everyone paddles and one person poles from the back
- Canadian canoes: seat up to 4, seasonal and subject to availability, so check before you plan around one
Prices are per person, not per boat: £10 for one hour, £15 for two hours, with children aged 1 to 15 charged half price. There's a minimum of two adults per boat, no solo hire, and you'll need to leave a deposit (a driving licence, car keys or passport) when you arrive. The station operates seasonally, broadly April to September, and boats go out regardless of weather, so bring a coat if it looks like rain.
Pulteney Cruisers: sit back and let them drive
If rowing or punting isn't your idea of a relaxing afternoon, Pulteney Cruisers has been running guided boat trips from Pulteney Weir for more than 50 years, making it the longest-established boat tour operator in Bath. Their boats seat 70 people, with a cafe on board and either a sundeck or a heated cabin depending on the weather.
The trip is a scenic hour-long round cruise up the River Avon, passing under Pulteney Bridge and out into the Avon valley, with a crew serving hot and cold drinks on the way out and live commentary on the history and wildlife of the river on the way back, including the herons, kingfishers and occasional otters that use this stretch of water.
Boats leave from Pulteney Weir roughly every 80 minutes through the day, more frequently at weekends when two boats run. There's no pre-booking for individuals: you turn up, check the board at the weir (a green board means they're running), and pay on board. Trips depend on river conditions and are suspended if heavy rain has raised the water level, so it's worth having a backup plan on a wet day. Third-party listings put the fare at around £12 to £13 per adult; confirm the current price at the weir before boarding.
Which to choose
| Bath Boating Station | Pulteney Cruisers | |
|---|---|---|
| You do the rowing/punting | Yes | No |
| Typical cost | £10/hour, £15/2 hours per person | Around £12-13 per adult |
| Trip length | 1 or 2 hours, your pace | About 1 hour |
| Booking | Reserve online, pay on arrival | No booking, pay on board |
| Best for | Active groups, couples, families with older kids | A relaxed sit-down cruise, all ages |
Getting there
Both departure points are close to the centre: Pulteney Weir is a two-minute walk from Pulteney Bridge, and Bath Boating Station is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the Abbey along the river in Bathwick, not far from Sydney Gardens. Neither has significant parking, so read the getting around Bath without a car guide if you're not staying centrally.
FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a boat in Bath? Bath Boating Station charges £10 per person for one hour or £15 for two hours, with children aged 1 to 15 at half price.
Do I need experience to punt in Bath? No, but standing and poling a 2-person punt is genuinely tricky if you've never done it. The 3-to-5-person punt, where everyone paddles, is the easier option for beginners.
How much is the Pulteney Cruisers boat trip? Third-party listings put it at around £12 to £13 per adult; confirm the current fare at Pulteney Weir before boarding, since it isn't published on their own site.
Do I need to book the river cruise in advance? No, Pulteney Cruisers doesn't take individual bookings; you turn up at Pulteney Weir and pay on the boat.
Is boating in Bath seasonal? Yes, Bath Boating Station operates roughly April to September. Both operators depend on river levels and may pause trips after heavy rain.
Where do the boats depart from? Pulteney Cruisers depart from Pulteney Weir in the centre. Bath Boating Station is based on Forester Road in Bathwick, a walk upstream from the centre.