Help Keep Tooley’s Boatyard Alive
You can help keep a working piece of canal history alive.
For nearly 250 years, Tooley’s Boatyard has been part of Banbury’s story.
Since the Oxford Canal arrived in 1778, boats have been built here, repaired here, traditional canal skills have been practised, and the life of the waterways has carried on in daily work.
Today Tooley’s remains one of the longest continuously working boatyards on Britain’s inland waterways, possibly THE longest!
It is not a museum – it is a living heritage site, where history is preserved through use, craft and community.
If Tooley’s matters to you, here are two simple ways to help:
Become a Friend of Tooley’s
Friends support the boatyard with a small regular monthly donation, helping us care for historic boats, pass on endangered canal skills and welcome visitors.
£3/month
Helps us share the stories and heritage of Banbury’s canal through events and updates.
£5/month
Helps maintain the heritage tools and materials used in the the yard.
£10/month
Helps care for historic boat Hardy, the site and the buildings
£20/month
Helps support training in traditional canal crafts and endangered skills.
You can also make a one off donation.
👉 To Become a Friend or make a donation visit
Ko-fi.com/friendsoftooleys
Join our mailing list
Stay Connected – and for updates about:
• events and open days
• historic boat restoration
• canal heritage stories
• and plans for Banbury’s 250th canal anniversary in 2028
👉 To Join our mailing list please complete this form: