Magna Carta Classic Barge Cruise - England

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Cruising through the Thames River

Hotel barge Magna Carta offers a relaxed and immersive journey along some of the most scenic stretches of England’s River Thames. Drifting past royal palaces, charming riverside towns, and peaceful countryside, you'll experience a blend of England’s rich history and natural beauty at an unhurried pace.

From Henry VIII’s Hampton Court to Windsor Castle and Henley-on-Thames, the route follows an ancient Viking trading path, with plenty of stops to explore along the way. Enjoy guided visits to art galleries, stately homes, and even a historic boatyard where traditional river craft are still built. You’ll also have opportunities for walking and cycling along the picturesque Thames Towpath, making this a journey of both discovery and relaxation.

Sails from April to October.

Please inquire about 2026 departures!

About this UnTour Cruise

Itinerary Highlights:

Explore Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace

Moor beneath and visit Windsor Castle

Moor at the Cliveden estate and tour its gardens

Tour the Stanley Spencer Gallery at Cookham

Enjoy a private tour of Dorney Court, one of England’s finest Tudor manor houses

Great walking and bicycling opportunities along the Thames Footpath

English cream tea at the Stafford Hotel, London

Please note: This itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions. On alternate weeks, the cruise is in the reverse direction.

Air Options

We recommend flying in and out of London Airport.

What's included

6 nights on board (Sunday to Saturday) in air-conditioned en-suite accommodation.
Daily excursions, hosted by the Tour Guide, inclusive of all entry fees.
The services of our experienced Captain, Chef, Tour Guide, Housekeepers & Deck Hand.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner aboard. All lunches and evening meals are a gastronomic adventure with local produce delicately prepared by a Private Chef.
An excellent selection of fine regional and international wines and branded spirits from the open bar, soft drinks plus coffee, and a selection of teas.
Use of barge facilities such as library, bicycles, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a spa pool (hot tub).

Itinerary

Hampton Court to Henley-on-Thames

Day 1 (Sunday): Hampton Court Palace

Guests are met at the Stafford Hotel in central London** for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred to the Magna Carta. Champagne reception and welcome by the Captain and crew. Dinner on board.

Day 2 (Monday): Hampton Court Palace to Shepperton

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 aboard, we cruise through Molesey, Sunbury and Shepperton Locks to our private mooring. Optional pub visit before dinner on board.

Day 3 (Tuesday): Shepperton to Windsor

After breakfast, we cruise through Runnymede 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 (Wednesday): Windsor to 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 our exclusive mooring on the Cliveden estate. Once home to the Astor family, it has amazing gardens and was, of course, the scene of much political scandal and intrigue. Dinner on board.

Day 5 (Thursday): Cliveden to Hurley

After breakfast, we tour the grounds of Cliveden and learn about the history of the house and stories of intrigue and scandal! We take a short drive to Cookham to visit the Stanley Spencer Gallery and enjoy a walk around the village he once described as ‘Heaven on Earth’. After lunch we cruise through Cookham and Marlow and up to the 11th century village of Hurley. We tour Peter Freebody’s boatyard and watch in wonder as the traditional craftsmen build and restore classic wooden craft. There is an optional visit to the Olde Belle, one of the oldest inns in the country before dinner on board.

Day 6 (Friday): Hurley to Henley-on-Thames

After breakfast, we walk the village of Hurley and visit Peter Freebody’s boatyard. Here we see craftsmen build and restore wooden boats at a yard that is family owned and has been for centuries. 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 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 (Saturday): Henley-on-Thames

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to central London.

Excursions

Included. Please see Itinerary.

Pre-Cruise Options

This barge cruise links well with our London UnTour. There may be a few gap days between the cruise and the UnTour.

Ship

Magna Carta

Hotel barge Magna Carta accommodates eight guests and is one of the finest vessels cruising the waters of the British Isles today. Originally built in the 1930’s, today she is a luxurious and spacious ‘floating country hotel’ boasting a combination of traditional and contemporary features that create a very inviting ambience on board.

There is great attention to detail with the use of fine mahogany, teak and oak woods throughout, complemented by modern amenities such as under floor heating and TV/DVD players in the cabin suites.

The large saloon and dining area feature picture windows and stylish furnishings, and the sense of refined space continues in the four very generous, air-conditioned twin/double suites, with their combination of period furniture and contemporary en suite shower rooms.

Outside you can unwind in the heated spa pool, or enjoy a mouth-watering alfresco lunch prepared by your onboard master Chef as you get admiring glances from passers-by. With a seasoned Captain and the helm, and an attentive crew at your service, cruise through history aboard the Magna Carta.

Cabin Amenities

Twin or queen bed convertibility (200 sq.ft)

En suite bathroom with shower

Towels, hand soap, shower gel, hair dryer, and bathrobes

Writing desk & chair

Reading lights

4 opening windows

Closet with storage space

Individually controlled heating & air conditioning

240 volts with 110-volt sockets (UK 3-pin plug)

2 USB ports for charging phones

Disclaimer

Our staff have inspected this cruise and the above description and photographs reflect what they saw at that time. It is possible that the supplier has made changes to the cruise without our knowledge. While we do our best to keep up with any changes or improvements made to our cruises, we cannot guarantee that everything in the above description will be accurate.