Steeped in history, the upper reaches of the River Thames are leafy, tranquil and a haven for wildlife. Join the elegant Hotel Barge, Magna Carta, in Hampton Court and cruise north to Runnymede, Windsor, Cookham and Henley-on-Thames, visiting important houses, palaces and gardens.
Explore the lavish palace of Henry VIII at Hampton Court before sailing to Runnymede, a water meadow and the site where King John sealed the Magna Carta in 1215. Close by is 11th-century Windsor Castle surrounded by graceful parkland, where a tour takes in the State Apartments and St George's Chapel.
The lovely Dorney Court is an early Tudor manor house mentioned in the Domesday Book and the location for 'Poirot'. Visit the Stanley Spencer Gallery and explore the ancient village of Hurley, before travelling to Henley-en-Thames, where Magna Carta follows the course of the legendary Regatta.
Magna Carta is a a stylish vessel accommodating just 8 passengers with an experienced crew of four. Teak and oak decks and furnishings have been used throughout, and large picture windows afford fantastic views from the saloon and dining areas. Enjoy the passing scenery from the sun deck and spa pool, or enjoy the comforts of your spacious en suite cabin. Bicycles are available for passengers to follow the tow path or explore on their own.
DOWNTON ABBEY ITINERARY. On selected dates there is a tour of Highclere Castle, the real-life setting for the much loved period drama, Downton Abbey.
EW879 Operated by European Waterways
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Thames on Magna Carta Itinerary
Day 1 - Hampton Court Palace (England)
Guests are met at the Stafford Hotel in Central London** for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Magna Carta. Champagne reception and welcome by the Captain and crew. Dinner on board.
Day 2 - Runnymede
This morning we explore the magnificent Hampton Court Palace. We tour Henry VIII’s apartments and the Royal Chapel, feel the chill in the haunted gallery and wonder at the Tudor kitchens. Outside, the gardens are breathtaking with The Great Vine, the oldest in the country still producing grapes and the famous maze. After lunch, we cruise through a number of locks including Sunbury and Molesey to moor at Runnymede. Dinner on board.
Day 3 - Windsor
After breakfast, we have the option to use the spa facilities of the newly refurbished Runnymede-on-Thames Hotel. Then we cruise to Windsor, past the Magna Carta Memorial and Magna Carta Island where in 1215, King John was forced to put meet the powerful barons and seal the historic document. Our afternoon excursion is to Windsor Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and a royal home 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, St George's Chapel and enjoy the far-reaching views. Dinner on board.
Day 4 - Windsor - Cliveden
This morning we take a short drive to the Tudor manor house of Dorney Court, a very special home that has been owned by the Palmer family for more than 450 years and used regularly as a film location. Later, we cruise upstream past the fabulous waterside houses of Bray and through the spectacular Cliveden Reach to moor en route at Cliveden House itself. Once home to the Astor family, it has amazing gardens and was, of course, the scene of much political scandal and intrique. Dinner on board.
Day 5 - Cookham - Hurley
After breakfast, we visit the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham and take a walk around the village he once described as ‘Heaven on Earth’, before cruising through Marlow to Hurley. We tour Peter Freebody’s boatyard nearby and watch in wonder as the traditional craftsmen build and restore classic wooden craft. We have time to explore the ancient village, including Ye Olde Bell, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country, before returning to the hotel barge. Dinner on board.
Day 6 - Henley-on-Thames
A morning cruise to Henley-on-Thames through fabulous countryside to our final mooring along the famous Henley Regatta Rowing Course. Then, an earlier lunch, followed by a drive to Oxford for a fascinating tour of Christ Church, Oxford’s grandest college, founded by Cardinal Wolsey and then again by King Henry VIII. The magnificent surroundings were also where Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 7 - Henley-on-Thames
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the Stafford Hotel or Heathrow airport**.
Itinerary above is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. **Other locations available for private charter bookings
Downton Abbey Itinerary - 3, 24 May; 12 Jul; 2, 9, 16 Aug 2020 departures
Day 1 - Hampton Court Palace (England)
Guests are met at the Stafford Hotel in central London** for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the Magna Carta. Champagne reception and welcome by the Captain and crew. Dinner on board.
Day 2 - Runnymede
This morning we explore the magnificent Hampton Court Palace. We tour Henry VIII’s apartments and the Royal Chapel, feel the chill in the haunted gallery and wonder at the Tudor kitchens. Outside, the gardens are breath-taking with The Great Vine, the oldest in the country still producing grapes and the famous maze. After lunch, we cruise through Molesey Lock and moor at Runnymede. Dinner on board.
Day 3 - Windsor
After breakfast, we have the option to use the spa facilities of the Runnymede-on-Thames Hotel. Then we cruise to Windsor, past the Magna Carta Memorial and Magna Carta Island, where in 1215, King John was forced to meet the powerful barons and seal the historic document. Our afternoon excursion is to Windsor Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and a royal home 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, St George’s Chapel and enjoy the far-reaching views. Dinner on board.
Day 4 - Windsor - Cliveden
This morning, we cruise upstream past the fabulous waterside houses of Bray and through the spectacular Cliveden Reach to our exclusive mooring on the Cliveden estate. Cliveden was once owned by the Astor family, though the original house dates back to 1666. The property has glorious gardens that include a Parterre, Chinese water garden and wonderful topiary and was, of course, the scene of much political intrigue and scandal. Dinner on board.
Day 5 - Cliveden - Highclere Castle - Hurley
After breakfast we drive to Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey), one of England’s most beautiful Victorian castles set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland. The Carnarvon family has lived at Highclere since 1679, and the current castle stands on the site of an earlier house, which in turn was built on the foundations of the medieval palace owned by the Bishops of Winchester for some 800 years. A longstanding friend of the Carnarvon family, Julian Fellowes had Highclere Castle in mind as he wrote “Downton Abbey”. He often commented he wanted a house which spectacularly testified to the confidence and soaring optimism of the Edwardian period. After lunch, we cruise further upstream to visit the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham and take a walk around the village he once described as ‘Heaven on Earth’, before cruising through Marlow to Hurley. Dinner on board.
Day 6 - Hurley - Henley-on-Thames - Oxford
This morning we tour Peter Freebody’s boatyard nearby and watch in wonder as the traditional craftsmen at work, build and restore classic wooden craft. We have time to explore the ancient village, including Ye Olde Bell, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country, before returning to the barge and cruising through fabulous countryside to our final mooring along the famous Henley Regatta Rowing Course. Then, an earlier lunch, followed by a drive to Oxford for a fascinating tour of Christ Church, Oxford’s grandest college, founded by Cardinal Wolsey and then again by King Henry VIII. The magnificent surroundings were also where Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 7 - Henley-on-Thames
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the Stafford Hotel or Heathrow airport**.
Itinerary above is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. **Other locations available for private charter bookings