Magna Carta

Cruising the River Thames

in England

Passengers: 8
Size: 117 feet long
Last Visited: 2007
Rating: Deluxe, A/C

2012 Value Season rates

Whole-Boat Charter of 6: $26,000
Whole-Boat Charter of 7: $27,800
Whole-Boat Charter of 8: $29,600
Individuals: $3,990
per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $1,250

2012 Value Season dates

April 2 - 7	April 22 - 28	October 14 - 20
April 8 - 14	April 29 - May 5	October 21 - 27
April 15 - 21	October 7 - 13	October 28 - Nov 3

2012 Regular Season rates

Whole-Boat Charter of 6: $30,200
Whole-Boat Charter of 7: $32,400
Whole-Boat Charter of 8: $34,600
Individuals: $4,750 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $1,450

2012 Regular Season Dates

May 6 - 12	June 17 - 23	July 29 - Aug 4	September 2 - 8
May 13 - 19	June 24 - 30	August 5 - 11	September 9 - 15
May 20 - 26	July 1 - 7	August 12 - 18	September 16 - 22
May 27 - June 2	July 8 - 14	August 19 - 25	September 23 - 29
June 3 - 9	July 15 - 21	August 26 - Sept 1	September 30 - Oct 6
June 10 - 16	July 22 - 28

MAGNA CARTA has continued to expand its program. On Wednesday, guests will join Captain Read in going to a pub in Windsor with a wonderful Irish entertainer. Also, they will visit one of two manor houses, always with a tour by the owner. Prince William was a recent visitor to Dorney Court!

Barge Lady's Kelly and Tim Weiss visited Magna Carta in 2007. Kelly says: "This is a very impressive vessel: spacious, comfortable, and beautiful." The lounge is lined with picture windows; its sink-in couches arranged into intimate seating areas. The four 200 square-foot cabins are among the largest in barging; the king-sized beds heaped high with fine linens. Tiled baths are spacious and modern. Laze in the hot tub on deck and watch amazing scenes float by!

Presiding over Magna Carta is the young and charismatic Dominic Read, a local Captain well versed in the sights, scenery and historic river tales of the Thames. He is assisted by three in crew. The itinerary between Hampton Court Palace and Henley-on-Thames introduces rich historical sights from all periods: the Tudor-Style Hampton Court Palace of Henry the 8th; Windsor Castle, home to British royalty for nine hundred years; Runnymede, where the JFK memorial may be viewed. Contrasting these high points are visits to riverside pubs, an artist gallery and a boatyard to observe traditional craftsmen at work.

Magna Carta
River Thames Barge Cruise Itinerary

Hampton Court to Henley-on-Thames
On the River Thames
Sunday: Hampton Court Palace
An English Cream Tea Begins your Cruise in Style

Meet at 3:00pm for a traditional English Cream Tea at the Hotel Stafford (near Picadilly Circus.) Afterward, your Captain will chauffeur you to Magna Carta. After the traditional champagne reception, there will be an early evening cruise to Hampton Court Palace, home of the famed British King Henry VIII. We will moor right at the Palace and have dinner as the sun sets over this amazing royal home and gardens.

Monday: Hampton Court Palace to Shepperton
Tour the finest Tudor Palace in Existence
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, pictured at left, 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: Shepperton to Runnymede
Treat Yourself to Spa Services
Morning cruise after breakfast to Runnymede. We moor at Bell Weir Lock adjacent to a luxury spa hotel, The Runnymede, where we have the opportunity to visit the spa and use the pool and elaborate leisure facilities. We then cruise past Runnymede, where King John faced the powerful barons and signed the 'Magna Carta" in 1215 as well as viewing the J F Kennedy Memorial. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday: Runnymede to Windsor
Windsor Castle - Where the Royals Live

This morning we cruise to Windsor before enjoying lunch on board. After lunch we have an afternoon excursion to Windsor Castle, pictured at right. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and inhabited for over 900 years by the Royal Family. Moor on a private island with a unique view of the Castle. Dinner aboard.






Thursday: Windsor to Cookham
Cruise Through Gorgeous Countryside
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, whose gallery we visit. Dinner aboard.

Friday: Cookham to Henley-On-Thames
Historic 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. Return to the barge for lunch before cruising to Henley on Thames, along the famous Henley Regatta Course, pictured at left. Once we arrive in Henley there is plenty of time to explore the town for shopping opportunities and browsing in antique shops before returning to Magna Carta for the Captains Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday: Return to London
A Sad Farewell
After breakfast, disembark between 9:00 am and 9:30 am for your chauffeured transfer back to the Hotel Stafford. Projected arrival time is 11:00am. We hope that your Magna Carta cruise will provide a lifetime of memories!

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HENLEY-ON THAMES TO HAMPTON COURT
On the River Thames

Sunday: London to Henley on Thames
An English Cream Tea Begins your Cruise in Style

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, moored along the famous Henley Royal Regatta course. Champagne reception and welcome by the Captain and crew. Dinner aboard.





Monday: Henley to Oxford, then Hurley
Historic Henley-on Thames
This morning we take a 40-minute drive to Oxford for a fascinating tour of Christ Church, Oxford’s grandest college. Unusually, it was founded twice, once by Cardinal Wolsey and then by King Henry VIII. The magnificent surroundings were where Lewis Carrol wrote Alice in Wonderland. After lunch we set sail and cruise the famous Regatta Mile. Here, every year in July rowing teams from around the world compete in front of Champagne and Pimms fueled crowds. We pass through Hambledon Lock, and onwards through stunning countryside to the medieval village of Hurley. We wander through Peter Freebody’s boatyard and watch in wonder as the traditional craftsmen build and restore classic wooden craft as they have for generations. Afterwards 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. Dinner aboard

Tuesday: Hurley to Cliveden, then Cookham
Cruise Through Gorgeous Countryside
This morning we cruise through magnificent scenery past the riverside towns of Marlow, Bourne End and Cookham and down 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 our stunning overnight mooring in Cookham. Dinner aboard. .

Wednesday: Cookham to Windsor
Tour Dorney Court

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 the village. This morning, after breakfast we visit Stanley Spencer’s gallery and admire some of his paintings. Our afternoon cruise takes us through Maidenhead and Boulters Lock (made famous in Victorian times), past fabulous waterside homes in Bray and down to the heart of Windsor. We enjoy a late afternoon tour of 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 the house privately. Dinner aboard



Thursday: Windsor to Runnymede and Shepperton
Windsor Castle - Where the Royals Live
A morning tour of Windsor Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and a royal home for over 900 years, 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. During lunch we cruise and enjoy breathtaking views of the castle and down through the fields of Runnymede. . 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 have the option to moor at Bell Weir Lock adjacent to a luxury spa hotel, where it is possible to visit and use the facilities including pool, sauna and steam room. Beauty therapies, massages and other treatments are available but are best booked in advance. Today’s cruising continues to our secluded overnight mooring near Shepperton. Dinner aboard.

Friday: Shepperton to Hampton Court Palace
Tour the finest Tudor Palace in Existence
After breakfast we spend the entire morning cruising through countryside and the delightful riverside towns and locks of Sunbury and Molesey to our spectacular mooring right outside the gates of Hampton Court Palace. After lunch we visit this magnificent palace, the finest Tudor building in existence. We can wander around King Henry VIII's apartments and the Royal Chapel, feel the chill in the haunted gallery, view Cardinal Wolsey's closet and stroll through the Tudor kitchens. Outside, the gardens are breathtaking. The Great Vine, the oldest in the world still produces grapes and the world famous maze awaits. Captain’s gala dinner aboard.

Saturday: Return to London
A Sad Farewell
Following breakfast, disembark at 9.30am and return to London We hope that your Magna Carta cruise will provide a lifetime of memories!.
Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging in England.
Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Magna Carta

Guest Book

"The cruise was a relaxing and pampered experience accompanied by good food and entertainment.  We loved being able to visit Windsor Castle and Hampton Court at our own pace.  Dominic, Steve, Cat and Elsa (the crew) were fantastic."
- Satisfied Guests, cruised May, 2011

“The excursions to Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace were outstanding. We rate the cabin, the cuisine and the staff as excellent. Greatly enjoyed the cruise.”
- Mike Kohler, cruised April, 2011

"We enjoyed the English barge cruise very much. It was very relaxing from start to finish, and the Captain Dominic was very outgoing, easy to approach, and made everyone feel very welcome and at home. I especially enjoyed the day excursions because they were very close to where we would dock. Barging through the English countryside was wonderful - it would be hard to imagine anything more idyllic. I hope it won't be too long until we can do another one!"
-Charles and Mary Helen Kuehn, 2010

"The barge was well laid out and the cabin was quiet and comfortable. The staff was responsive to requests. Captain Read was very helpful and the chef exceptional. We enjoyed the visits to Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace."
- Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Harrison, 2010

"This was a perfect tour. Everything happened according to schedule and the crew were especially aware to make us comfortable. Our cabin was even nicer than expected."
-Francis and Patricia Caruso, 2008

"An outstanding experience. I have done 70 + cruises of various kinds. I would certainly recommend the Magna Carta to my friends if they want a relaxed, but interesting time. Steve as chef was amazing. It was a 5-star restaurant experience for every meal."
Joyce Anderson, 2008