After years of renting facilities, Oxford’s Headington School has unveiled its own purpose-built boathouse at Long Wittenham.

Since rowing was first introduced at Headington over 30 years ago, Headington School Oxford Boat Club has become one of the largest and most-admired school boat clubs in the UK.

And it recently officially opened its long-awaited new boathouse.

The eight-acre site provides the club with 300m of river frontage and 5km of uncongested water.

As well as a large landing stage, boat bays, and indoor storage, the new facilities also include a crew room, changing facilities. and a kitchen.

The boathouse was officially opened by Katie Greves, Headingtonian (2001) and Silver medallist at the 2016 Olympics.

Caroline Jordan, headmistress, said: “2024 has been a truly-historic year for HSOBC, with a tremendous win for our 8+ at Henley Royal Regatta, against the best junior crews in the world.

“Headington is the only British school or club ever to win the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy and to win the event twice is unprecedented.

“Unyielding team spirit and personal commitment – Headington rowers rightly attract universal admiration and this passionate community deserves a boathouse it can call home.”