This cruise of great contrasts takes guests from beautiful, bustling, and cultural London into the English pastoral countryside of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. Your 7-day Classic England private journey on the hotel barge Magna Carta begins as you take in the capital's most famous sights and enjoy a unique look at the spectacular waterway that has been so important in London's history. Explore the castles of England and its quaint riverside towns and villages. From the Thames Barrier, erected to prevent flooding, cruise westwards to Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world. Tour the fantastic gardens of Cliveden before cruising further upstream to visit the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham. Your tour concludes in Christ Church, Oxford's grandest college, before disembarking in London.
Highlights
Experience British royalty at the excursion to Windsor's Castle with your private group of up to 8 guests
Taste the authentic English Cream Tea at Stafford Hotel
Explore the exquisite Palace of Henry VIII, the Hampton Court
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Meet the Captain or a crew member at the Stafford Hotel in London for afternoon English cream tea before being transferred to the Magna Carta. Champagne reception and welcome moored outside Hampton Court, former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where you remain overnight. Dinner served onboard.
This morning you have ample time to really explore Hampton Court Palace, the most fabulous Tudor home, once belonging to Cardinal Wolsey until it was acquired by Henry VIII. Walkthrough 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, the oldest growing grapevine, and the famous maze. After lunch, enjoy your first cruise, up through Molesey Lock and following the meandering path of the river through Sunbury, Chertsey, and Shepperton to our overnight mooring on Bell Weir Lock at Runnymede. Dinner served onboard.
After breakfast, you have the option to use the spa facilities of the newly refurbished Runnymede on Thames hotel, including a pool, sauna, and steam room. Beauty therapies, massages, and other treatments are available but are best booked in advance. This morning, cruise to Windsor before enjoying lunch on board. The river journey takes you through Runnymede, where King John faced the barons in 1215 and was forced to put his seal on the Magna Carta, the document the very first Bill of Rights and from which the vessel takes its name. See the Magna Carta Memorial and Magna Carta Island from the boat, where the sealing took place. Your afternoon excursion is to Windsor Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and lived in for over 900 years by the Royal Family. This is the largest inhabited castle in the world. You can explore the State Apartments, See Queen Mary’s Dolls House and St George’s Chapel and enjoy the far-reaching views from its elevated fortress position. Dinner served onboard.
Leaving Royal Windsor behind, you cruise up to Boveney Lock and take a walk to Dorney Court. The Palmer family has owned this very special home 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” you are lucky to enjoy a private tour of the house. The cruise continues past the fabulous waterside homes of Bray and Maidenhead, Boulters Lock (made famous in Victorian times), and into the spectacular Clivedon reach, where you 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. A late afternoon cruise takes you to a stunning mooring at Cookham Lock. Cookham was once described as ‘Heaven on Earth’ by artist Sir Stanley Spencer, one of England’s greatest and most eccentric painters. Much of his work was painted in and around Cookham. Dinner served onboard.
After breakfast, visit Stanley Spencer’s gallery and walk around the village before cruising through Bourne End and Marlow to Hurley. Tour Peter Freebody’s boatyard and watch in wonder at the traditional craftsman at work, building and restoring wooden boats as they have been done for generations. You have time to explore the ancient 11th-century village, including Ye Olde Belle, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country, before returning to the barge. Dinner served onboard.
A morning cruise to Henley on the Thames through the fabulous countryside, your final mooring along with the famous Henley Regatta Rowing Course. An earlier lunch followed by a 40-minute drive to Oxford. A fascinating tour of Christ Church, Oxford’s grandest college, was founded twice, once by Cardinal Wolsey and then by King Henry VIII. The magnificent surroundings were where Lewis Carrol wrote Alice in Wonderland. For your final night, enjoy the Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard.
Day 7: London | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Following breakfast, disembark and return to London or Heathrow Airport.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$44,000
or $5,500 per person based on 8 max passengers
Select a Date
Twin/Double Suite
Twin/double air-conditioned suites, with a combination of period furniture and contemporary en suite shower rooms, TV/DVD, WiFi (subject to local reception).
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Credit card, check, and bank transfer. All final payments by credit card subject to a surcharge of 2.5% and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 185 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 185 reviews on
5 hours ago
Hannah and Nur got the gist of what we wanted our trip to be. They got us in hotels that were located centrally to historic tours. Tours and excursions that were significant, enriching and enjoyable. We had drivers that were on time/reliable. We got from location to location with ease. I would never have been able to plan this myself. I would not have known enough to ask for what we needed. This was above and beyond what I expected. Well done!
Kelly Mattingly
1 day ago
This is at least the fifth trip we have booked with AdventureLife. Jess has always had excellent ideas.
Thomas Brayshaw
2 days ago
Prompt, professional and friendly service!
Jimmie
3 days ago
Easiest trip to plan ever. We received quick answers and Mary was very knowledgeable about different areas of the world that we had questions about.
We have book 2 trips, FABULOUS trip to Antartica which we have already taken and just booked for a future trip to Africa.
Michelle
3 days ago
Planning service is personal. people actually listening to you and using that information constructively to help you plan a great trip. They have extensive travel knowledge and experience in the area they cover. The planning is detailed and comprehensive in meeting your needs. It makes a difference!