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Travel from Hampton Court to Henley-on-Thames on the River Thames
In the afternoon, you will be met by a crew member of the Magna Carta at the designated meeting point in London. Enjoy a delightful English Cream Tea before being chauffeured to Magna Carta moored outside Hampton Court, the Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we remain overnight. Meet your crew at the traditional champagne reception. Tonight, enjoy the first of many gourmet dinners onboard.
This morning, explore Hampton Court Palace, the Tudor home of Henry VIII. 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 and the famous maze! This afternoon, the Magna Carta cruises up through Molesey Lock and following the meandering path of the river to our overnight mooring on Bell Weir Lock at Runnymede. Drinks and dinner are served onboard.
This morning's cruise takes us through Runnymede where King John put his seal on the Magna Carta in 1215, from which our vessel takes its name. This afternoon, history comes alive at Windsor Castle! Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and lived in for over 900 years by the British Royal Family, the castle boasts unrivaled displays of art, furniture, ancient armor, and royal treasure. Your Tour Guide returns you to Magna Carta for cocktail hour and dinner.
This morning's excursion is a private tour of a Tudor manor that has been in the same family for 13 generations! Authentic and iconic, the manor is regularly used for filming. Then cruise this afternoon into Clivedon Reach where we have special permission to moor. Cliveden, now a hotel, was once owned by the Astor family. Tour the grounds, discussing the political intrigue and scandal for which Cliveden is famous! A late afternoon cruise is the perfect time to laze in the hot tub. Enjoy another gourmet dinner onboard.
This morning's sightseeing is a visit to the gallery of one of England’s greatest artists, Sir Stanley Spencer. Spencer described Cookham has “heaven on earth” and much of his work was painted in and around the village. A late morning cruise precedes a tour of Peter Freebody’s Boatyard to watch traditional craftsmen work on wooden boats as they have done for generations. Explore an 11th century village, including a tipple at Ye Olde Belle, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country. Your Tour Guide escorts you back to the barge where Chef presents dinner onboard.
A morning cruise takes us to Henley-on-Thames to our final mooring situated along the famous Henley Regatta Rowing Course. This afternoon, your Tour Guide escorts you to Oxford for a tour Christ Church, Oxford’s grandest college. Founded in 1546, its magnificent surroundings have been the scene of Lewis Carroll writing Alice in Wonderland, welcomed 13 British prime ministers among its students, and just lately served as a set for the Harry Potter films. Return to Magna Carta for the Captain’s Dinner, ending your cruise in style.
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured back to the designated drop off point in London.
Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
Travel from Hampton Court to Henley-on-Thames on the River Thames
A member of Magna Carta crew will greet you at the Hotel Stafford in London at the designated meeting time. Enjoy a delightful English Cream Tea before being chauffeured to Magna Carta moored outside Hampton Court, the Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we remain overnight. Meet your crew at the traditional champagne reception. Tonight enjoy the first of many gourmet dinners onboard.
This morning, explore Hampton Court Palace, the Tudor home of Henry VIII. 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 and the famous maze! This afternoon, the Magna Carta cruises up through Molesey Lock and following the meandering path of the river to our overnight mooring on Bell Weir Lock at Runnymede. Drinks and dinner are served aboard.
This morning's cruise takes us through Runnymede where King John put his seal on the Magna Carta in 1215, from which our vessel takes its name. This afternoon, history comes alive at Windsor Castle! Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and lived in for over 900 years by the British Royal Family, the castle boasts unrivaled displays of art, furniture, ancient armor, and royal treasure. Your Tour Guide returns you to Magna Carta for cocktail hour and dinner.
This morning's excursion is a private tour of a Tudor manor that has been in the same family for 13 generations! Authentic and iconic, the manor is regularly used for filming. Then cruise this afternoon into Clivedon Reach where we have special permission to moor. Cliveden, now a hotel, was once owned by the Astor family. Tour the grounds, discussing the political intrigue and scandal for which Cliveden is famous! A late afternoon cruise is the perfect time to laze in the hot tub. Enjoy another gourmet dinner onboard.
This morning, your Tour Guide chauffeurs you to Highclere Castle, scene of the popular television series Downton Abbey. Highclere Castle is one of England's most beautiful Victorian Castles set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland. Our public tour reveals several grand reception, drawing, and dining rooms on the first floor, along with a brief look into a select few of the home’s 50 bedrooms! Return to the barge for an afternoon cruise, a visit to an art gallery, and a stroll around the village mooring. Dinner is served onboard.
A morning cruise takes us to Henley- on-Thames to our final mooring situated along the famous Henley Regatta Rowing Course. This afternoon, your Tour Guide escorts you to Oxford for a tour Christ Church, Oxford’s grandest college. Founded in 1546, its magnificent surroundings have been the scene of Lewis Carroll writing Alice in Wonderland, welcomed 13 British prime ministers among its students, and just lately served as a set for the Harry Potter films. Return to Magna Carta for the Captain’s Dinner, ending your cruise in style.
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the designated drop off point in London.
Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
Travel from Hampton Court to Henley-on-Thames on the River Thames
In the afternoon, you will be met by a crew member of the Magna Carta at the designated meeting point in London. Enjoy a delightful English Cream Tea before being chauffeured to Magna Carta moored outside Hampton Court, the Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where the vessel remains overnight. Meet your crew at the traditional champagne reception. Tonight, enjoy the first of many gourmet dinners onboard.
This morning, the immersion into “Royal England” begins in the vast palace of a most iconic monarch: Henry VIII. Discover Henry VIII’s rooms, the Royal Chapel, and the kitchen gardens on a private tour with local expert Lesley Richardson. A resident and guide of Hampton Court for over twenty years, Lesley shares dishy anecdotes and insider's secrets about famous (and infamous) palace residents! Return to the barge for an afternoon cruise. Once moored, explore the riverside path by bicycle or on foot before another gourmet dinner.
This morning's cruise takes us through Runnymede where King John put his seal on the Magna Carta in 1215! This afternoon, European history comes alive at Windsor Castle, notable for its long association with the English and later British royal family. A uniformed Military Knight of Windsor introduces a “behind the scenes” tour of the castle, offering access to original art, sophisticated architecture, and royal treasure. Return to Magna Carta, where Chef is putting the final touches on a gourmet dinner fit for a King.
Manors and manners are on offer today thanks to two tours of fascinating estates. Begin the British adventures with a private visit to Dorney Court, one of England's finest Tudor Manor houses, dating from around 1440. Return to the barge for an afternoon cruise to our mooring on the Clivedon Estate. After walking through the grand gardens, step inside for a tea and a “butler’s guide” to the personalities and scandals associated with over 350 years of aristocratic life at Clivedon House. Relive the day over drinks and dinner.
Relax on deck this morning as Magna Carta glides past the enchanting scenery of the Royal River Thames. This afternoon, your Tour Guide accompanies you to Stonor Park, the seat of the Stonor family, Baron Camoys, for over 850 years. Tour this astonishingly preserved historic country home with a Stonor family member, discovering the 12th century private chapel, as well as the remains of a prehistoric stone circle. Return to the barge and explore the riverside path with a gentle pedal or leisurely stroll before tonight's delicious dinner.
Regattas and rowing are foundations of the lifestyles along the Royal River Thames; this morning, a visit to Peter Freebody’s boatyard introduces craftsmen who restore vintage vessels using ancient techniques. After an early lunch, it's a but mere drive to Highclere Castle, home to many of the iconic scenes in the beloved drama "Downton Abbey". On this private tour, guests will explore the rooms, grounds, and gardens of this stately home, as well meet and greet members of the Highclere household. Back onboard, a Farewell Feast awaits.
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the designated drop off point in London.
Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
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