Once owned by Jesus College, Oxford, this boat is thought to be one of only 11 such barges still in existence. We are delighted to be able to inhabit this beautiful and historic space and to share it with our customers. We have made every attempt to uphold the original spirit of the boat and this glorious section of the river and hope that our food, service and ambience reflects something of this.
We are committed to caring for the environment and to keeping the waterways clean, as well as minimising our carbon footprint. With this always in mind we endeavour to use seasonal produce, which is sourced locally wherever possible whilst being mindful of food wastage and disposal. We welcome any suggestions or comments which may help us to maintain this endeavour.
History of The College Barges
The College Barges were originally built for city livery companies to use for river processions and other water based events on the Thames in the C15th.
By the C17th they were built in a grand manner with much carving and gilding and rowed up to 30 oarsmen. In addition to coronations, state funerals and similar events they were used for the Lord Mayor’s show before becoming water borne.
Among the livery companies with state barges were Goldsmiths, the Merchant Tailors, Stationers, Coopers, Skinners, Fishmongers, Vintners, Ironmongers, Brewers, Tallow Chandlers, Drapers, Grocers, Joiners, Cloth Workers and the Lord Mayors Barge however, by about 1820, Thames based events were becoming less popular and the cost of building and maintaining barges was becoming a burden. By 1834 there were only six barges appearing on the Lord Mayors Day and the last procession was in 1856.
As interest in these great spectacles waned, some 100 miles up stream in Oxford, the gentleman’s sport of Rowing was gaining ground. By 1850 most Oxford colleges had boat clubs and accommodation was required, both to store boats and for young gentlemen to change into their rowing colours. Thus old, unwanted livery barges were purchased and rowed up river by paddle tugs where they were moored off Christ Church Meadow as headquarters of college boat clubs.
The Oxford University Boat club purchased the Merchant Tailors Barge, Oriel College bought the Stationers Barge, and The Skinners Barge was bought by Balliol College in 1857. It is thought that six of the college boat clubs had acquired these grand and once stately vessels. As time went on the boats were remodelled and redesigned with reinforced roofs to accommodate the increasing spectators and without the original rowing positions, but they still maintained their grand appeal and the original spirit and therefore always attracted interest from prestigious buyers once they were no longer required by the boat clubs.
The eleven remaining barges have mostly transformed into house boats, offices or restaurants and are situated on fixed mooring like this one!