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Henley-on-Thames to
Hampton Court Palace
The
Standard Itinerary
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Sunday, Day 1 - London - Henley-on-Thames |
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 in the historic regatta
town of Henley-on-Thames. Champagne
reception and welcome by the Captain and
crew. Dinner aboard.
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Monday, Day 2 - Henley-on-Thames - Hurley -
Bourne End |
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Henley is surely
one of the prettiest towns on
the river. This morning we visit
the award winning River and
Rowing Museum and afterwards,
there is time to explore the
town, from the market place at
one end to the easy Georgian
curves of Henley Bridge at the
other.
We set off at lunchtime 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 to the medieval
village of Hurley, where we have
time to wander through Peter
Freebody’s boatyard and watch in
wonder as the traditional
craftsmen build and restore
classic wooden craft.
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. Late afternoon cruise
down through Bisham and Marlow
to our overnight mooring in
Bourne End. Dinner aboard.
(After Dinner chance to join the
Captain in a most unusual
riverside pub!)
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Tuesday, Day 3 - Bourne End - Cookham -
Windsor |
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This morning we take a short
cruise to Cookham, once described as
‘Heaven on Earth’ by artist Stanley
Spencer, one of England’s greatest
and most eccentric painters, who
frequently transposed biblical
scenes into his surroundings.
We visit his gallery and take a walk
around the village he loved so much.
After lunch, have cameras ready for
a magical cruise. We navigate the
narrow, willow lined Cookham
lock-cut and then enter out into the
spectacular Clivedon reach
High on the wooded hillside we can
see Clivedon, once the home of the
Astor family and famous as a place
of political intrigue and scandal!
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Magna Carta continues through
Maidenhead and Bray, (the lock here
has the prettiest garden on the
river) and down to our peaceful
mooring near Windsor.
Dinner aboard. |
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Wednesday, Day 4 - Windsor - Runnymede
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This morning we cruise right to
the heart of Windsor before enjoying
lunch on board. Afternoon excursion
to 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.
Late afternoon cruise enjoying
breathtaking views of the castle to
our private moorings in Runnymede.
Dinner aboard. |
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Thursday, Day 5 - Runnymede - Shepperton
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Moored at Bell Weir Lock
adjacent to a luxury spa hotel, we
have the opportunity 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.
Our tour for the morning 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.
After lunch we cruise down river to
our secluded overnight mooring near
Shepperton. Dinner aboard. |
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Friday, Day 6 - Shepperton - Hampton Court
Palace |
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After breakfast we spend the
entire morning cruising through
countryside and the delightful
riverside towns and locks of
Chertsey, 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 country still produces
grapes and the world famous maze
awaits.
Captains gala dinner aboard. |
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Saturday, Day 7 - Hampton Court Palace -
London |
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Following breakfast
disembark at 10 am and return to
London.
NOTE: On alternate weeks, cruise
will be in reverse direction. This
is a sample itinerary and is subject
to change.
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Meeting Point:
3pm, Sunday at the Stafford Hotel, St James
Place, London, for afternoon tea, departing
4pm.
(Tel 020 7493 0111,
www.TheStaffordHotel.co.uk email infor@TheStaffordHotel.co.uk)
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We also offer many
theme cruises aboard the Magna Carta
including Golf, Antiques, West-end Theatre,
Murder Mystery, Health and Relaxation, and
Christmas Shopping..please visit the
individual itineraries for more details
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