Thames River Cruise
England Discovery Cruises
A luxury cruise on England’s Royal River from Hampton Court to London
Overview
A luxury river cruise in England meandering the River Thames is a slow journey into this "green and pleasant land", as William Blake once referred to his home. Gliding by villages, past ancient castles, and learning about the history and culture, the quaint English countryside comes alive. This is the world of Henry VIII, Windsor Castle, English gardens, and high tea.
With a capacity of eight, your deluxe vessel, the Magna Carta, is the perfect size for a custom charter for your family, friends, or special group. If it is just you or a few others, ask us about set departures.
You can choose from a selection of themed itineraries to tailor your vacation even more. You could have a golf-themed cruise, garden cruise, or a cruise with a family focus...how about a Downtown Abbey Tour? Just ask!
From beautiful bustling London into the pastoral English countryside of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, your adventure will include excursions to the many places of cultural interest, including the University town of Oxford.
Highlights
- Cultural London
- Hampton Court
- Thames River Cruising
- Hampton Court Palace
- Windsor Castle
- Cliveden Reach
- The little village of Cookham
- Hurley
- Oxford and Christ Church
- Historic Peter Freebody’s boatyard
- Luxury accommodations
- Great food and wine
Be sure to check out all our small ship cruises!
Itinerary
Classic Itinerary
Day 1: London - Hampton Court Palace
Day 2: Hampton Court Palace - Shepperton
Day 3: Shepperton - Windsor
Day 4: Windsor - Cliveden
Day 5: Cliveden - Hurley
Day 6: Hurley - Henley on Thames and Oxford
Day 7: Henley to LondonThis is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. If you are chartering the entire vessel, the itinerary can be tailored for your group. Please contact us to find out what the possibilities are on the certain week of your interest. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
Day 1: London - Hampton Court Palace
A crew member will meet you at the Stafford Hotel in London at 3 pm for an English Afternoon Tea, before being transferred at 4 pm to the Magna Carta. Onboard, there will be a Champagne reception and welcome. You will moor for the overnight outside Hampton Court, the former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII. Gourmet dinner will be served on board this evening and every evening thereafter.Day 2: Hampton Court Palace - Shepperton
This morning, there is ample time to really explore Hampton Court Palace, the most fabulous Tudor home, once belonging to Cardinal Wolsey until acquired by Henry VIII! You walk through Henry’s great hall and haunted gallery and see his chapel, still used for worship today, with the finest Tudor ceiling in existence. There is much more to see including the stunning privy gardens, the oldest growing grapevine, and the famous maze! After lunch, you enjoy your first cruise, up through Molesey Lock, and following the meandering path of the river through Sunbury to the overnight mooring on Shepperton Lock.Day 3: Shepperton - Windsor
This morning, the Magna Carta cruises to Windsor, navigating the Thames through Chertsey, past Penton Hook Marina and Bell Weir Lock through Runnymede. This is where King John faced the barons in 1215 and was forced to put his seal on the Magna Carta, the document which was the very first Bill of Rights and from which your vessel takes its name. From the boat, the Magna Carta Memorial and Magna Carta Island where the sealing took place is clearly visible. This afternoon's excursion is to Windsor Castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and lived in for over 900 years by the Royal Family. This is the largest inhabited castle in the world. You explore the State Apartments, see Queen Mary’s dollhouse, and St George’s Chapel. From its elevated fortress position, you will enjoy the far-reaching views.Day 4: Windsor - Cliveden
After breakfast, guests are transferred to Dorney Court. This very special home has been owned by the Palmer family for more than 450 years passing from father to son through 13 generations. King Henry VIII has stayed here and the manor is regularly used for filming including “Poirot” and most recently “The Other Boleyn Girl”. You will be treated to a private tour of the house. After Dorney Court, you have the opportunity to spend some time in Eton or Windsor. As lunch commences on board, the Magna Carta cruises up to Boveney Lock, passing the fabulous waterside homes of Bray and Maidenhead, Boulters Lock (made famous in Victorian times), and into the spectacular Cliveden Reach. The ship has special permission to moor at the house itself!Day 5: Cliveden - Hurley
Today you visit the little village of Cookham. Cookham was once described as ‘Heaven on Earth’ by artist Sir Stanley Spencer, one of England’s greatest and most eccentric painters. Much of his work was painted in and around Cookham. A visit to his gallery here is on the agenda. Upon returning to Cliveden, you will enjoy a tour. Cliveden was once owned by the Astor family, though the original house dates back to 1666. The gardens are simply amazing and include a Parterre, Chinese water garden, and a topiary. You will discuss the political intrigue and scandal for which Cliveden is famous!! On your return, you will be served a lovely lunch as you cruise through Bourne End and Marlow to Hurley. Once moored up for the night, there is to explore the ancient 11th-century village including Ye Olde Belle, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country.Day 6: Hurley - Henley on Thames and Oxford
The last day begins with an early morning tour of Peter Freebody’s boatyard where you watch in wonder at the traditional craftsman at work, building and restoring wooden boats as they have done for generations. A morning cruise will then lead to Henley on the Thames through the fabulous countryside to the final mooring in Remenham, a small village on the famous Henley Regatta Rowing Course. Following an early lunch, you will be transferred to Oxford. Here enjoy a fascinating tour of Christ Church, Oxford’s grandest college, founded twice, once by Cardinal Wolsey and then by King Henry VIII. This is the magnificent surroundings in which Lewis Carrol wrote Alice in Wonderland. This evening you will enjoy your final night and a Captain's farewell dinner.Day 7: Henley - London
Following breakfast, disembark at 9.30 am and return to London or to Heathrow Airport.Ask us about our 4-day option for a shorter cruise.
Map
Boats
- Magna Carta
Deluxe Class Barge
Once a working barge in Holland and Belgium, the Magna Carta has been converted into a luxury cruising vessel, navigating England's Upper Thames River. Accommodating only 8 passengers, this deluxe ship is the perfect size for an exclusive charter and itinerary or join a set departure! Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation on the luxury Magna Carta
- Round-trip transfers from the specified meeting point
- All meals, table wines, & alcoholic beverages on board
- Sightseeing & admittance fees as stipulated
- Use of bicycles
What’s Not Included
- Airport transfers
- Entrance fees & activities not stipulated in the itinerary
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2024
Sunday departures
Value Season
April 7, 14, 21, September 29, October 13, 20 & 27, 2024
Regular Season
April 28, June 9, July 7, 14, August 11, & September 8, 2024
* January, February, March, November, and December on request only
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Sunday departures
Value Season
April 7, 14, 21, September 29, October 13, 20 & 27, 2024
Regular Season
April 28, June 9, July 7, 14, August 11, & September 8, 2024
Peak Season
January, February, March, November, and December: Prices on request.
Price per person Regular season Value season Suite per person $ 10730 £ 5660 $ 9,792 € 6610 kr 994443 ₪ 26639 ¥ 1119243 Mex$ 119432 NZ$ 11724 NOK 77236 zł 28192 S$ 9678 kr 77066 $ 7,050 $ 9269 £ 4889 $ 8,459 € 5710 kr 859030 ₪ 23012 ¥ 966835 Mex$ 103169 NZ$ 10128 NOK 66719 zł 24353 S$ 8360 kr 66572 $ 6,090 Single supplement $ 3653 £ 1927 $ 3,334 € 2250 kr 338534 ₪ 9069 ¥ 381019 Mex$ 40658 NZ$ 3991 NOK 26293 zł 9597 S$ 3295 kr 26235 $ 2,400 $ 3196 £ 1686 $ 2,917 € 1969 kr 296217 ₪ 7935 ¥ 333391 Mex$ 35576 NZ$ 3492 NOK 23006 zł 8398 S$ 2883 kr 22956 $ 2,100 6 passenger charter $ 12150 £ 6409 $ 11,088 € 7484 kr 1126048 ₪ 30165 ¥ 1267364 Mex$ 135238 NZ$ 13276 NOK 87457 zł 31923 S$ 10959 kr 87265 $ 7,983 $ 10349 £ 5459 $ 9,445 € 6375 kr 959179 ₪ 25695 ¥ 1079553 Mex$ 115197 NZ$ 11308 NOK 74497 zł 27193 S$ 9335 kr 74333 $ 6,800 7 passenger charter $ 10806 £ 5700 $ 9,862 € 6656 kr 1001496 ₪ 26828 ¥ 1127181 Mex$ 120279 NZ$ 11807 NOK 77784 zł 28392 S$ 9747 kr 77612 $ 7,100 $ 9223 £ 4865 $ 8,417 € 5681 kr 854798 ₪ 22899 ¥ 962072 Mex$ 102661 NZ$ 10078 NOK 66390 zł 24234 S$ 8319 kr 66244 $ 6,060 8 passenger charter $ 9798 £ 5169 $ 8,942 € 6036 kr 908117 ₪ 24327 ¥ 1022083 Mex$ 109065 NZ$ 10706 NOK 70531 zł 25745 S$ 8838 kr 70376 $ 6,438 $ 8371 £ 4416 $ 7,639 € 5156 kr 775807 ₪ 20783 ¥ 873168 Mex$ 93174 NZ$ 9146 NOK 60255 zł 21994 S$ 7550 kr 60122 $ 5,500 Individuals: A deposit of 20% of the full price per person is required at the time of booking.
Charters/groups: A deposit of 10% of the full charter price is required at the time of booking.Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
There are opportunities on most days to cycle, either during the cruise portion of the tour or while the barge is moored. It is not possible to bicycle to daily excursions, as guests are chauffeured in the barge vehicle by the dedicated tour guide.
Airport Info
Fly to London Heathrow International Airport (LHR).
Local Travel
The meeting place for the transfer to the boat is the Stafford Hotel in London at 3 pm. You have many options for travel between Heathrow Airport and central London, such as train, bus, or taxi. The Heathrow Express (train) from London Paddington is the fastest way to travel between the airport and central London, taking 15 to 20 minutes.
Climate
The overall climate in England is temperate with mild summers and winters, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the warm Gulf Stream.
Day of Rest
Any day can be a rest day. You can use the bikes, go for a walk, or lounge on the sundeck or in the spa pool with a glass of wine.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements, and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Tour Operator
This tour is run by Magna Carta.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
Photos
Have you been on this tour?
Please leave your feedback