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Hotel
Barge Magna Carta
Cruise the River Thames
Seven Days / Six Nights
Save up to £600 per cabin on 2010 departures
The
8 passenger Magna Carta is one of the finest,
most luxurious vessels cruise in the British
Isles.
The ambience created by combining a traditional
barge hull (1936) and fine mahogany, teak
and oak woods is outstanding. The most sophisticated
modern amenities include underfloor heating,
colour tv/dvd and exceptionally spacious
contemporary en-suite facilities in the
four full width staterooms. The upper deck
salon and dining areas sport picture windows
and stylish furnishings.
Her captain knows the Thames well and your
Master Chef produces a range of mouth watering
dishes whilst you enjoy the sights of London
and the home counties from your floating
country inn, navigating England's Royal
River.
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Cruise Highlights |
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Visit London's World famous sights |
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Moor beneath Windsor's
Royal Palace |
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Moor in the beautifully restored St. Katharine's dock |
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Visit Tudor Hampton Court, Henry VIII's Palace. |
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Visit the Stanley
Spencer Art Gallery |
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Optional hot air
ballooning |
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Lunch at a top London hotel |
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All-inclusive - open bar, free wines, gourmet cuisine, entry
fees to excursions |
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Regional Specialities
Loch Fyne Bradon roast Salmon, Malt whisky and horseradish sauce, Roast spiced Duck breast accompanied by pink Grapefruit and Calvados
Wine Cellar
A good selection of French and New World wines
Cheese Board
Red Leicester, Caerphilly, White Cheshire
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Meeting
Point |
| Sunday 3pm,
The Stafford Hotel, St James
Place,
London for afternoon tea. |
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| Boat
Features |
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117 Feet Long |
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8 Passengers |
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4 Crew |
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3 Twin/Double
suites with TV/DVD |
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3 Double suite with
TV/DVD |
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Central & under floor Heating,
Air-conditioning |
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Spa Pool |
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Sundeck |
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8 Touring Bikes |
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Air-conditioned
Minibus |
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Check
availability of this cruise
Back to England Barges
Hampton
Court Palace to
Henley-on-Thames itinerary |
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DAY 1
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Sunday
LONDON – HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Meet the Captain or a crew member at
the Stafford Hotel in London at 3pm
for afternoon English Cream Tea, before
being transferred at 4pm to the Magna
Carta. Champagne reception and welcome
moored outside Hampton Court, former
Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we
remain overnight. Dinner aboard. |
DAY 2
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Monday
HAMPTON COURT PALACE - SHEPPERTON
This morning we have ample time to really
explore Hampton Court Palace, the most
fabulous Tudor home, once belonging
to Cardinal Wolsey until acquired by
Henry VIII! There is much more to see
including the stunning privy gardens,
the oldest growing grape vine and the
famous maze! After lunch we enjoy our
first cruise, up through Molesey Lock
and following the meandering path of
the river to Shepperton. Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 3 |
Tuesday
SHEPPERTON - RUNNYMEDE
After breakfast we cruise to Runnymede
and moor at Bell Weir Lock adjacent
to a luxury spa hotel where after lunch
we have the option to use the spa facilities
including pool, sauna and steam room.
Beauty therapies, massages and other
treatments are available but are best
booked in advance. In the afternoon
we take a short drive to Savill Gardens.
These beautiful gardens have something
to offer all year round and form part
of Windsor Great Park. The stunning
new visitor centre was built using sustainable
timber from the royal estates and makes
a unique architectural statement with
its grid shell design inspired by leaf
form. Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 4 |
Wednesday
RUNNYMEDE - WINDSOR
This morning we cruise to Windsor before
enjoying lunch on board. Our river journey
takes us through Runnymede where King
John faced the barons in 1215 and was
forced to put his seal on the Magna
Carta document. From the boat we see
the Magna Carta memorial and Magna Carta
Island where the sealing took place.
Our afternoon excursion is to Windsor
Castle. This is the largest inhabited
castle in the world. We explore the
State Apartments, See Queen Mary's Dolls
House and St George's Chapel and enjoy
the far-reaching views from its elevated
fortress position. Dinner aboard followed
by an optional pub night (all pubs are
now non-smoking) and there is often
live entertainment. |
| DAY 5 |
Thursday
WINDSOR - COOKHAM.
This new itinerary includes a special
private visit to a country house which
may be Dorney Court this morning or
Milton Manor on Friday afternoon. Leaving
Royal Windsor behind us we cruise up
to Boveney Lock and take a walk 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”
We enjoy a tour usually with Jill Palmer
the present owner. We continue our cruise
past the fabulous waterside homes of
Bray, through the spectacular Clivedon
reach and open English countryside.
We moor in Cookham, once described as
‘Heaven on Earth’ by artist
Sir Stanley Spencer, one of England’s
greatest and most eccentric painters.
We visit Spencer's newly renovated gallery
and take a walk around the village he
loved so much and painted so frequently.
Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 6 |
Friday
COOKHAM – HENLEY ON THAMES
A morning cruise to the village of Hurley
where we wander through Peter Freebody’s
boatyard and watch the traditional craftsman
at work, building and restoring wooden
boats as they have been done for generations.
We have time to explore the ancient
11th century village including Ye Olde
Belle, reputed to be the oldest inn
in the country before returning to the
barge. We cruise to Henley on Thames,
our final approach being along the famous
Henley Regatta Course. Once we arrive
in Henley we have a choice. If we were
able to visit Dorney Court earlier in
the week we will visit the award winning
River and Rowing museum, after which
there is plenty of time to explore the
18th century town. Otherwise we take
a short drive to Milton Manor, an extraordinarily
beautiful family home with a wealth
of fine and interesting antiques. The
present owner, Gwendoline Mockler-Barrett
gives us a private guided tour. For
our final night we enjoy the Captains
Farewell Dinner aboard. |
| DAY 7 |
Saturday
HENLEY-ON-THAMES - LONDON
Following breakfast, disembark at 10
am and return to the Stafford Hotel. |
| NOTE: |
This is a sample itinerary and
is subject to change. On alternate
weeks, cruise will be in alternate direction. |
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Alternative Itineraries |
We also offer alternative itineraries, including an antiques cruise, art cruise, family cruise, gardens cruises, golf cruises, health and relaxation cruise, murder mystery cruise, tennis cruise, walking cruise, World War II cruise, Christmas and New Year cruuise and a West-End theatre cruise.
Please contact us for further details.
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Check
availability of this cruise
Back to England Barges |
