HAMPTON COURT PALACE TO HENLEY-ON-THAMES

Sunday, Day 1 LONDON – KINGSTON-ON-THAMES - HAMPTON COURT PALACE

Meet the Captain at The Cadogan Hotel at 4pm for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred to the Magna Carta. Champagne reception and welcome by the Captain. Early evening cruise to Hampton Court Palace, former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we moor for the night. Dinner aboard.

Monday, Day 2 HAMPTON COURT PALACE - SHEPPERTON

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, 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, Day 3 SHEPPERTON - RUNNYMEDE

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, Day 4 RUNNYMEDE - WINDSOR

This morning we cruise to Windsor before enjoying lunch on board. After lunch we have an afternoon excursion to Windsor Castle. 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, Day 5 WINDSOR - COOKHAM

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, Day 6 COOKHAM – 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. 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, Day 7 HENLEY-ON-THAMES - LONDON

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.