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Magna Carta

Class: Deluxe
Location: England
Guests: 8
Magna Carta is perfect for: Couples, Families, Groups of friends, Excellent Cycling/Walking, Historic interest, Highlights of southern England & Downton Abbey*!

 

The 8 passenger Magna Carta is one of the finest, most luxurious vessels cruising the British Isles. The ambience created by combining a traditional barge hull (1936) and fine mahogany, teak and oak woods is absolutely beautiful and the large picture windows in the salon allow you to enjoy the passing panoramas even if the weather is not conducive to sitting on deck. The intimate seating areas and luxurious couches complete this extremely comfortable picture!

Magna Carta has the most sophisticated modern amenities, including air conditioning, WI FI internet access and underfloor heating in each of the four very large suites (some of the largest on any barge in Europe at 200 square feet). Each suite has exceptionally spacious contemporary en-suite facilities and colour TVs and DVD players. There are eight bikes on board to take at your pleasure for rides along the tow paths.

Her experienced Captain knows the Thames well and will pilot the barge and be your tour guide. Your Master Chef will produce a range of mouth watering dishes whilst you enjoy the sights of royal Barkshire, historic Buckinghamshire and beautiful Oxfordshire from your floating country inn. Two house keepers complete the crew of four.

The itinerary between Hampton Court Palace and Henley-on-Thames offers some of the most famous historic sites in England – Tudor-Style Hampton Court Palace; Windsor Castle, home to British royalty for nine hundred years; Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215; and Henley-on-Thames, site of the famous regatta. Other highlights include a traditional cream tea before you start out from London, visits to riverside pubs, an artist gallery and a boatyard to observe traditional craftsmen at work.

Magna Carta provides a unique opportunity to see this charming, picturesque region of England from one of the most stunning and traditional viewpoints – the river Thames!

*Certain departure dates throughout the year include a visit to Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)! Please ask when you inquire or book!

Features At-A-Glance

8 GUESTS

4 LARGE JUNIOR SUITES, 200 SQ FEET – ALL WITH EN-SUITE BATHROOMS & QUEEN SIZE BEDS

LUXURIOUS SALON AND DINING AREA WITH LARGE PICTURE WINDOWS AND LEATHER COUCHES

4 CREW

117 FEET (36 METRES) LONG

8 BICYCLES

AIR CONDITIONING/CENTRAL HEATING

TV’S/DVD’s IN EACH ROOM

JACUZZI ON DECK

AIR CONDITIONED MINIBUS FOR EXCURSIONS

Sunday, Day 1 Henley-on-Thames

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. Enjoy a champagne welcome and an introduction to your crew, and perhaps an evening stroll along the towpath. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Henley-on-Thames to Hurley

After breakfast, we 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. After lunch, we cruise the famous Regatta Mile, where every July, rowing teams from around the world compete in front of champagne and Pimms-fuelled crowds, then continue through fabulous countryside to Hurley. Here 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 Belle, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country, before returning to the hotel barge. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Hurley to Cliveden to Cookham

After breakfast, we cruise through Marlow to Cookham, where we visit the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham which celebrates the paintings of one of England’s greatest and most eccentric artists. We also take a walk around this picturesque village he once described as ‘Heaven on Earth’ and where he painted much of his work. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Cookham to Windsor

We cruise this morning into the spectacular Cliveden Reach to moor 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 intrigue. After lunch, we cruise past the fabulous waterside houses of Bray to our mooring right in the heart of Royal Windsor. We enjoy a late afternoon tour of the Tudor manor house, 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. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Windsor to Shepperton

A morning tour of Windsor Castle, a short walk from our mooring. 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 and St George's Chapel, see Queen Mary's Dolls House and enjoy the far-reaching views. During lunch, we cruise and enjoy breathtaking views of the castle and past the meadows of Runnymede and Magna Carta Island, where in 1215 King John was forced to meet the powerful barons and seal the historic document. We have the option to use the spa facilities of the Runnymede-on-Thames Hotel, then continue our cruise to our secluded overnight mooring near Shepperton lock. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Shepperton to Hampton Court Palace

After breakfast, we spend the morning cruising through countryside and the delightful riverside towns and locks of Sunbury and Molesey to our special final mooring right by Hampton Court Palace. After lunch, we explore the magnificent Palace, touring 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 stunning, with The Great Vine, the oldest in the country still producing grapes and the famous maze. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Hampton Court Palace

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

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate the barge cruises in the opposite direction.

*On selected cruises, an excursion is included to Highclere Castle, setting for the renowned period drama series, “Downton Abbey”! Please ask about dates when you inquire or book!

2025 Prices

Value Season
Regular Season

Suite per person

Value Season: €5,690
High Season: €6,550

Single Supplement

Value Season: €2,100
High Season: €2,400

Charter Max. 6 pax.

Value Season: €38,700
High Season: €44,800

Charter Max. 7 pax.

Value Season: €40,100
High Season: €46,400

Charter Max. 8 pax.

Value Season: €41,500
High Season: €48,000

Note all our prices are in euros. Please ask us if you live in the USA and would like prices in US dollars. We convert to Australian dollars at current exchange rates on the day of payment of deposit/full payment.

Departure Dates 2025

Value Season

April 06, 13, 20

Regular Season

April 27; May 04,11, 18, 25; June 01, 08, 15, 22, 29; July 06, 13, 20, 27; August 03, 10, 17, 24, 31; September 07, 14, 21, 28;

Value Season

October 05, 12, 19, 26

Price is all-inclusive - inclusions are:

  • transfers between Central London and the hotel barge (approximate transfer duration 1 hour / 1 hour 30 minutes depending on the cruise direction)
  • a luxury 6 night cruis
  • all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef
  • an open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
  • all wines served throughout the cruise
  • excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary
  • the services of 4 crew and use of barge facilities
  • which include DVD players in each cabin
  • icycles and a spa pool

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