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Restaurant, boating & Events


Relax by the River at Oxford's Culinary Haven

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Restaurant, boating & Events


Relax by the River at Oxford's Culinary Haven

Our restaurant sits beside the river in the heart of Oxford

The Restaurant

We are proud to be situated in a unique riverside position in the heart of Oxford, a stone's throw from the Westgate centre but beside the beauty of the River Thames. Our restaurant embodies the real Oxford -  the flavours, the tastes, the smells, the colours, the feel, the people, the food. 

The restaurant's terrace floats on the waters of the River Thames as she runs gently under Folly Bridge. Inside is reflective of the city - eclectic, eccentric, relaxed and sophisticated. A unique combination of city and nature.

Relaxed fine dining in Oxford

Elegant evening meals

Whether dining inside the restaurant, overlooking the river or seated on our floating terrace you will enjoy a thoughtfully conceived and prepared menu of fresh food and the best seasonal ingredients. 

Lunch on our floating river terrace

Relaxed Lunches

Little can compare to relaxing beside the river. Pair this with good food and wine and you'll have an idea of what we have to offer at The Folly. Our lunch menu offers fabulous a la carte options as well as more casual staples such as our famous Folly burger and summery salads. 

A unique evening in Oxford

Cruise & Dine

Combine a serene pre-dinner cruise with an elegant meal at The Folly. Your 40 minute cruise aboard one of our charming launches takes in some of the highlights of river life in Oxford before you disembark on to our terrace to continue your evening with three courses from the a la carte menu. Book online.  

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Special Occasions and Events


Our Oxford restaurant play host to a wide variety of very special occasions

Special Occasions and Events


Our Oxford restaurant play host to a wide variety of very special occasions

Group Bookings

From afternoon Tea to COCKTAIL CRUISE

Our restaurant offers the perfect venue, in the heart of Oxford, to celebrate a special occasion with friends and family. Be it a simple table booking for a celebratory meal or a more unusual experience such as a private cocktail cruise, or a tea party, you can be assured of excellent service and exquisitely prepared food and drinks. 

Wedding Receptions

an elegant riverside venue for your most special Day

The Folly is a popular and romantic choice for your wedding reception. We offer a special and memorable venue in the heart of Oxford and a bespoke planning service to ensure everything runs perfectly smoothly. 

Private Parties

Exclusive use of the restaurant

To celebrate a truly special occasion there can be few better options than to arrange the private use of our restaurant. We provide a unique restaurant venue beside the river, in the heart of historic Oxford. We host a huge range of events from birthday parties, company dinners and celebrations to christenings and Christmas dinners.  

From private birthday parties to wedding receptions we will host and organise your event as though it were our own.

Wedding Receptions and Private Parties can use our oxford restaurant, river terrace and beautiful river boats.

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About Our Restaurant


The Folly, Alice in Oxford and Provenance 

About Our Restaurant


The Folly, Alice in Oxford and Provenance 

The Folly

The Folly relishes its status as one of Oxford's few independent, family owned restaurants. We strive to offer an excellent dining experience in a unique location as well as providing wonderfully unusual experiences such as our Cruise and Dine package, Afternoon Tea parties, and year round outdoor dining on our floating pontoon.

BIRTHPLACE OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND

The story of Alice in Wonderland is synonymous with Oxford. The books author, Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Dodgson), was a mathematics don at Christ Church College, and enjoyed a close friendship with Alice Liddell and her sisters, the Dean's children. Carroll would regularly bring Alice and her sisters down to the site of our restaurant on Folly Bridge and hire a small rowing boat to explore the waterways around the city. It was on one such trip on July 4th 1862 that, to entertain the rather bored children, he began a story beginning with Alice pursuing a white rabbit down a hole in the river bank. The rest of course is history.  

Our ethics

We strive to be a sustainable business and offer a constantly evolving seasonal menu to take advantage of the freshest local produce and to reduce 'food miles' as much as possible.  We have active programs to reduce our energy consumption and dispose of our waste in the most environmentally sensitive manner. We try to be a fair and considerate employer, paying a living wage rather than the minimum wage, and offering opportunities for development to all our staff.  

People who have tried it tell me that a clear conscience makes you very happy and contented; but a full stomach does the business quite as well, and is cheaper, and more easily obtained.
— Jerome K. Jerome