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

The 8 passenger Magna Carta is one of the finest, most luxurious vessels cruising the British Isles. The ambience created by combining a traditional barge hull (1936) and fine mahogany, teak and oak woods is outstanding. The upper deck saloon and dining areas sport picture windows and stylish furnishings and the sun deck has comfortable seating and a spa pool.

Magna Carta has the most sophisticated modern amenities, including air conditioning, underfloor heating in the cabins and four full width suites, each with exceptionally spacious contemporary en-suite facilities and colour TVs and DVD players. There are eight bikes on board to take at your pleasure for rides along the tow paths.

Her experienced Captain knows the Thames well and will pilot the barge and be your tour guide. Your Master Chef will produce a range of mouth watering dishes whilst you enjoy the sights of London and the home counties from your floating country inn. Two house keepers complete the crew of four.

*** 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

On arrival receive your 'Champagne Welcome' aboard the Magna Carta moored outside Hampton Court, former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we remain overnight. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Hampton Court to Runnymede

This morning we have ample time to really explore Hampton Court Palace, the most fabulous Tudor home of Henry VIII! Though used as a Royal home until Victorian times. We walk through Henry's great hall and haunted gallery and see his chapel, still used for worship today and with the finest Tudor ceiling in existence. There is much more to see including the stunning privy gardens, the world's 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 through Sunbury, Chertsey, and Shepperton to our overnight mooring on Bell Weir Lock at Runnymede. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Runnymede to Windsor

After breakfast we have the option to use the spa facilities of the newly refurbished Runnymede on Thames hotel including pool, sauna and steam room. Beauty therapies, massages and other treatments are available but are best booked in advance. 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, the document which was the very first Bill of Rights and from which our vessel takes its name. 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. 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. 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 on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Windsor to Cookham

Windsor to Cliveden 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 are lucky to enjoy a private tour of the house. Our cruise continues past the fabulous waterside homes of Bray and Maidenhead, Boulters Lock (made famous in Victorian times) and into the spectacular Clivedon reach where we have special permission to moor at the house itself. 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 topiary. We discuss the political intrigue and scandal for which Cliveden is famous!!. A late afternoon cruise takes us to a stunning mooring at Cookham Lock. Artist Sir Stanley Spencer, one of England's greatest and most eccentric painters, once described Cookham as 'Heaven on Earth'. Much of his work was painted in and around Cookham. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Cookham to Hurley

After breakfast we visit Stanley Spencer's gallery and take a walk around the village before cruising through Bourne End and Marlow to Hurley. We tour Peter Freebody's boatyard and watch in wonder at the traditional craftsman at work, building and restoring wooden boats as they have 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. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Hurley to Henley on Thames

A morning cruise to Henley on Thames through fabulous countryside to our final mooring situated along the famous Henley Regatta Rowing Course. An earlier lunch followed by a 40 minute drive to Oxford. A fascinating tour of Christ Church, Oxford's grandest college, founded twice, once by Cardinal Wolsey and then by King Henry VIII. The magnificent surroundings were where Lewis Carrol wrote Alice in Wonderland. For our final night we enjoy the Captains' Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Henley on Thames

Following breakfast, disembark the barge.