The RiverfrontYork

The Riverfront York occupies a stretch of the River Ouse at Ferry Lane in Bishopthorpe, roughly three miles from York city centre. The site has operated as a boatyard since at least 1987, when the company was registered as York Marine Services Limited, later trading as The Boatyard York before adopting its current name. Phil and Kerrie Cook took over the business in December 2023. Visitors hire day motor boats, seating up to six people, for half-day, evening or full-day sessions on the Ouse, and single or double kayaks in two-hour slots offered three times a day. The wider site includes a caravan and camping park, cabins, a café bar and a children's play area, though boat and kayak hire remains its core activity. No experience is required to take out a self-drive day boat. The yard is open seven days a week.