England Barge Cruise – European Waterways

Cruise Itinerary

6 Night Cruise sailing from Hampton Court to Henley on Thames aboard Magna Carta.

NOTE: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. Please check at time of enquiry/booking.

Sunday, Day 1 Hampton Court Palace
Guests are met at the Stafford Hotel in Central London for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Magna Carta. Champagne reception and welcome by the Captain and crew. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Hampton Court Palace to Shepperton
This morning we explore the magnificent Hampton Court Palace. We tour Henry VIII’s apartments and the Royal Chapel, feel the chill in the haunted gallery and wonder at the Tudor kitchens. Outside, the gardens are breathtaking with The Great Vine, the oldest in the country still producing grapes and the famous maze. After lunch aboard we cruise through Sunbury, Molesey and Shepperton Locks to our private mooring. Optional pub visit before dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Shepperton to Windsor
After breakfast, we cruise through Runnymede to Windsor, past the Magna Carta Memorial and Magna Carta Island where in 1215, King John was forced to meet the powerful barons and seal the historic document. Our afternoon excursion is to Windsor Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and a royal home for over 900 years by the Royal Family, this is the largest inhabited castle in the world. We explore the State Apartments, see Queen Mary’s Dolls House, St George’s Chapel and enjoy the far-reaching views. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Windsor to Cliveden
This morning we take a short drive to the Tudor manor house of Dorney Court, a very special home that has been owned by the Palmer family for more than 450 years and used regularly as a film location. Later, we cruise upstream past the fabulous waterside houses of Bray and through the spectacular Cliveden Reach to our exclusive mooring on the Cliveden estate. Once home to the Astor family, it has amazing gardens and was, of course, the scene of much political scandal and intrigue. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Cliveden to Hurley
After breakfast, we tour the grounds of Cliveden and learn about the history of the house and stories of intrigue and scandal! We take a short drive to Cookham to visit the Stanley Spencer Gallery and enjoy a walk around the village he once described as ‘Heaven on Earth’. After lunch we cruise through Cookham and Marlow and up to the 11th century village of Hurley. We tour Peter Freebody’s boatyard and watch in wonder as the traditional craftsmen build and restore classic wooden craft. There is an optional visit to the Olde Belle, one of the oldest inns in the country before dinner on boar.

Friday, Day 6 Hurley to Henley-on-Thames
A morning cruise to Henley-on-Thames through fabulous countryside to our final mooring along the famous Henley Regatta Rowing Course. Then, an earlier lunch, followed by a drive to Oxford for a fascinating tour of Christ Church, Oxford’s grandest college, founded by Cardinal Wolsey and then again by King Henry VIII. The magnificent surroundings were also where Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Henley-on-Thames
After breakfast, disembark.

Magna Carta will take you on a slow, meandering journey along the prettiest stretches of the River Thames, past Royal Palaces, quaint riverside towns and villages – a captivating mixture of olde worlde England and the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.

From Henry VIII’s Hampton Court past Windsor Castle to Henley, with frequent stops allowing plenty of time to wander and explore as we follow this old Viking trading route through some of England’s prettiest counties. During the cruise, there is a diverse programme of escorted visits along the way – art galleries, stately homes including the real “Downton Abbey”, even a boatyard that has been building traditional river craft for centuries. There are also good cycling and walking opportunities along the ever-present Thames Towpath.

Magna Carta is a hotel barge that accommodates 8 guests and is one of the finest vessels cruising the waters of the British Isles today. Originally built in the 1930’s, today she is a luxurious and spacious ‘floating country hotel’ boasting a combination of traditional and contemporary features that create a very inviting ambience on board.

There is great attention to detail with the use of fine mahogany, teak and oak woods throughout, complemented by modern amenities such as under floor heating and TV/DVD players in the cabin suites.

The large saloon and dining area feature picture windows and stylish furnishings, and the sense of refined space continues in the four very generous, air-conditioned twin/double suites, with their combination of period furniture and contemporary en suite shower rooms.

Outside you can unwind in the heated spa pool, or enjoy a mouth-watering alfresco lunch prepared by your onboard master chef as you get admiring glances from passers-by.

Magna Carta is one of the most recognised vessels navigating the Royal River Thames today and her Captain who knows the river so well, together with his doting crew, will ensure your voyage of gentle exploration is an unforgettable experience.

We have been involved in all aspects of the hotel barge and travel industry for over 35 years including designing, building, owning and operating our fleet of luxury hotel barges. We have gradually refined our barge cruise holidays into unique travel experiences, which are just waiting to be discovered.

Our fully crewed, all inclusive luxury hotel barges cruise the inland waterways of nine European countries, along canals, rivers, lakes, lagoons and lochs, giving you the opportunity to experience life there from a truly unique perspective.

Our hotel barges are ideal for people looking for either an individual cruise with other like-minded people, or for those choosing a whole barge charter for a family or group of friends.

On your all-inclusive cruise, your ‘floating boutique hotel’ glides gently along while you relax and enjoy gourmet cuisine, fine wines and the company of fellow passengers. There will be guided tours to castles, chateaux, vineyards, markets and when you return to the barge, you can be sure our dedicated, professional crew will be there to look after you once more.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Magna Carta - Deck 1

Magna Carta - Deck 2

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Suites

The Henry VIII and Christopher Wren cabins are at the stern end of the barge and are accessed from one set of stairs leading down from the saloon.

The William Shakespeare and the Winston Churchill cabins are at the bow end of the barge and accessed from a separate set of stairs leading down from the saloon. There are three steps between the level on which the William Shakespeare cabin is located and the level on which the Winston Churchill cabin is located.

All 4 suites are equipped with ensuite facilities. 4 opening windows in each suite. Hardwood veneer up to dado rail with a light décor above. Solid hardwood doors and skirtings and wooden flooring. The Captains Cabin has a double bed and ensuite facilities.

All Suites have showers, basin and toilet. The bathrooms are fully tiles with under floor heating and heated towel rail. There is a thermostatic shower in a large tray. Wall hung contemporary basin with a single tap. There is also a window, 110v razor socket and air extractor. Towels, washing gel, hand soap, shampoo, hair dryers and bathrobes are provided.