The History of Tooley's Boatyard - Tooleys Boatyard Trust

Video of Banbury ’96 – Canal open day at Tooley’s Boatyard – Thanks and copyright Rosy Burke

Starting from the completion of the Oxford Canal to Banbury

The History of Tooley’s Boatyard starts from the time the Oxford Canal was finally completed to Banbury. It reached Napton in 1774 and Banbury in 1778. Tooley’s dry dock has been in continuous use since 1778. It is therefore one of the oldest working on the Inland Waterways. Building and repairing wooden horse-drawn narrow boats was the original purpose of Tooley’s Boatyard. These boats plied the newly constructed canal network so vital to the development of the Industrial Revolution.

The Oxford Canal eventually reached Oxford in 1790. For the next 15 years the Oxford Canal was one of the most important and profitable navigations in the country. The Grand Junction Canal was opened in 1805. Cargoes between London and Birmingham could now by-pass the meanderings of the Oxford Canal. The Oxford Canal Company levied a particularly high toll charge on boats passing between Braunston and Napton. This enabled them to remain solvent.

Canal in decline

Tooleys Boatyard before Castle Quay was built. — Entrance to the Dry Dock before Castle Quay was built.
The old Bus Station can be seen in the distance

Gradually, rail and then road transport eroded the importance of the canals. The Second World War gave them a short revival during which they were once again used extensively.

Tooley’s Boatyard was immortalised in Tom Rolt’s popular book ’Narrowboat’. It kept on working up until 1995. Its future was threatened by the development of Castle Quay. Through good fortune and a campaign by members of the Inland Waterways Association the site was saved. The Boatyard was incorporated into the new Museum.

Present Day

There is an opportunity for visitors to see work in progress. They can also see the workshops dating from the 1930s. These include a carpenter’s store, a belt-driven machine workshop and a paint store. There is also a 200 year-old forge where a blacksmith plies his trade.

Photo Gallery

Dolly the mule pulling Nb Friendship near Southam Road, Banbury. Photo Copyright -Tooley’s Boatyard

Devastation left by the bombing of Banbury Lock 1940 — Photo copyright CRT.

The lift bridge by Tooley's Boatyard — Photo copyright – Tooley’s Boatyard

Tooley's Boatyard - Dock during Open Day 1995 — Tooley’s Boatyard – Dock during Open Day 1995.Photo copyright Rosy Burke.

Tooleys Boatyard when it was run by Morse Marine

Side Launch of Dancing Duck at Tooley's — Side Launch of Dancing Duck at Tooley’s. Photo copyright Rosy Burke.

Dock development and Nb Rill. Showing Forge (roof), Tooley’s Old Buildings and Castle Quay construction in the background. Photo copyright – Pete Downer

Castle Quay development 1990s. Tooley’s Dock entrance with museum bridge over – under construction. Photo copyright – Pete Downer

Forging Ahead – A history of Tooley’s Boatyard – by Matthew Armitage

For more details of the history of Tooley’s Boatyard read Forging Ahead by the director of Tooley’s Boatyard: Matthew Armitage.
Get Your copy here