'Magna Carta'

Hampton Court to Henley-on-Thames Cruise Itinerary

Sunday, Day 1 LONDON – KINGSTON-ON-THAMES - HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Meet the Captain 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 by the Captain. Early evening cruise to Hampton Court Palace, former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we moor for the night. Dinner aboard.

Monday, Magna Carta Day 2 HAMPTON COURT PALACE – SHEPPERTON
Morning excursion to visit the state apartments of Henry VIII, whose 5th wife Catherine Howard is said to haunt the Great Hall and Gallery of Hampton Court, the finest Tudor Palace in existence. Wander through the beautiful Royal gardens and maze. In the afternoon enjoy a meandering cruise upstream following the course of the Thames to Shepperton. Dinner aboard

Tuesday, Day 3 SHEPPERTON – RUNNYMEDE
Morning cruise to Runnymede. We moor at Bell Weir Lock adjacent to a luxury spa hotel. After lunch we have the opportunity to visit the spa and use the facilities including pool, sauna and steam room. Beauty therapies, massages and other treatments are available but are best booked in advance. Our tour for the afternoon takes us a short distance to the Magna Carta memorial. Here in 1215 King John was forced to meet the powerful barons and seal this historic document which took away absolute power from the King and later became the basis for the American Bill of Rights. We also visit the JFK Memorial and the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial before moving on to Savill Gardens, part of Windsor Great Park and containing a wealth of diverse plants and shrubs. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday, Day 4 RUNNYMEDE – WINDSOR
This morning we cruise to Windsor before enjoying lunch on board. Afternoon excursion to Windsor Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and inhabited for over 900 years by the Royal Family, this is the largest inhabited castle in the world. We explore the State Apartments, Queen Mary's Dolls House and St George's Chapel and enjoy the far-reaching views from its elevated fortress position. Late afternoon cruise to our private moorings. Dinner aboard. Tonight you will also have the option to join the Captain in going to a Windsor pub where a wonderful Irish entertainer Steve Carrol sings and plays the guitar as well as a number of other instruments including the Irish drum.

Thursday, Day 5 WINDSOR – COOKHAM
Leaving Royal Windsor behind us we cruise past fabulous waterside homes, through the spectacular Clivedon reach and the open English countryside. We moor in Cookham, once described as ‘Heaven on Earth’ by artist Stanley Spencer. One of England’s greatest and most eccentric painters, Spencer would transpose biblical scenes into his surroundings. We visit his gallery and take a walk around the village he loved so much and painted so frequently. Dinner aboard.

Friday, Day 6 COOKHAM – HENLEY ON THAMES
A morning cruise to the village of Hurley where we have time to wander Peter Freebody’s boatyard where we can watch in wonder at the traditional craftsman at work. We have time to explore the ancient village including Ye Olde Belle, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country, before returning to the barge. After lunch we cruise to Henley on Thames, our final approach being along the famous Henley Regatta Course. Once we arrive in Henley we will visit the award winning River and Rowing museum. Afterwards there is plenty of time to explore the town for shopping opportunities and browse in antique shops before returning to Magna Carta for the Captains Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7 HENLEY-ON-THAMES – LONDON
Following breakfast, disembark at 10 am and return to London.

A special treat! - During the cruise week you will also enjoy a special private visit to a manor house with a tour by the owner. There is a choice of Dorney Court or Milton Manor. Dorney Court is situated close to Windsor and Eton and has been owned by the Palmer family for hundreds of years. It is regularly used for filming and has had King Henry VIII as a guest, though Prince William has been a more recent visitor! Milton Manor is close to Oxford and is a home full of antiques. Musical guests can playing the piano used by Queen Victoria and the fully hidden Catholic Chapel is fascinating. Which house you visit will depend on which owner is available for that particular week.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks, cruises will be in the reverse direction.