Cruise In England On The Thames River Aboard The Deluxe Hotel Barge MAGNA CARTA

SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS

Many of the hotel barges presently cruising in Europe carry 10, 12 or even 20 passengers and are either the same size or smaller than the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta deliberately chose to maintain a more intimate layout to accommodate only 8 guests at a time, ensuring the highest level of service and comfort for each passenger. With her dual deck design, the lower deck is comprised of four, full width luxurious Staterooms, each averaging 200 square feet. Each Stateroom has beautiful hard wood finishes to floors and walls and are equipped with hair dryers, ample hanging and drawer space, television with DVD, comfortable beds with finest cotton bedding. Three of the Staterooms are Super King and the fourth is King, and each can be configured with either a king or two twin sized beds. Each cabin also offers an underfloor heating and individually controlled air-conditioning. There is a private en-suite bathroom where you will enjoy oversized showers and basins with fully tiled walls and floors, heated towel rail, fluffy towels, bathrobes and fine guest amenities for each suite.

The captain's suite is an original part of the ship, and comprises a living room, bedroom and shower room. The suite is fully panelled with mahogany, incorporating the finest marquetry and marble. For charter only this accommodation may be made available, thus enabling Magna Carta to carry 9 or 10 passengers.

The upper deck offers the salon with tinted picture windows and the finest panoramic views on three sides. Four Italian leather sofas provide extremely comfortable seating adjacent to the fully stocked bar. There is also a library with many reference books, a compendium of games, comprehensive CD collection with music to suit many different tastes. The fine dining area is close to the fully fitted professional galley from which the most exquisite dishes will be created for you by our onboard Chef. The saloon also has air-conditioning for your comfort when necessary.

From the salon, you can walk out to the split-level sun decks where you will find a hard wood table with parasol, chairs and steamer chairs. There are safety railings all round and sunk within the upper level is a large Jacuzzi, ready to render complete relaxation for our passengers.The salon and sun decks are also much larger than expected and give our guests the space to really relax and unwind. Service is second to none with a crew of four that includes the Captain/owner, a master Chef, a hostess and deck hand.

The Captain and owner, Dominic Read, will meet you at a top London hotel for tea, before personally escorting you to the Magna Carta where he will be both your Captain and private tour guide for the week. While you are on board, your every need will be taken care of. You will enjoy some of the finest cuisine with excellently paired wines.

The wheelhouse is the nerve center of the ship. For anyone interested in another view from the Magna Carta, with the added opportunity of hearing river tales and gossip or even trying their hand at the wheel, this is where you need to be.

Experience a unique cruise that combines a tour of the city and Great Britain's most famous river. 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. From the Thames Barrier, erected to prevent flooding, cruise westwards to Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world. This is a cruise of great contrasts that takes guests from beautiful bustling cultural London into the pastoral English countryside of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

Imagine a sense of relaxation and enjoyment aboard the Magna Carta, as you float gently down the beautiful River Thames. Take in a stroll by the water along the Thames Path. Chat to the lock keepers who are legendary for their knowledge and stories. Drift past peaceful water meadows rich in wildlife. Visit the world of "Wind in the Willows" and "Three Men in a Boat" or explore the history and pageantry of Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle. Wherever you choose to start your journey you will encounter constantly changing scenery and discover fascinating delights. No stress, no hassle - just complete relaxation.

Features

• Size of barge: 117 ft by 16.5 ft
• Number of Passengers: 8
• Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
• Crew: 4.
• Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
• Salon: The salon/dining room has 10 picture windows, 4 sofas and dining table.
• Bar: Open bar
• Deck: Split-level sundeck with dining table, steamer chairs, recliners, parasols and jacuzzi.
• Spa Tub: Yes
• Cabin Features: Three suites have twin beds or king and one (Christopher Wren suite) has a fixed king; all are 200 sq ft. including ensuite bathroom with oversized shower and heated towel rack
• Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Minivan
• Accessibility: Steps to salon/cabins
• Bicycles: 4 mountain bikes. (more bikes are available on request)

Magna Carta's Deck Plan

Dining Aboard The Magna Carta:
SAMPLE MENU

• Cereals
• Fresh fruits
• Fresh fruit juices
• Full English breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, black pudding, mushrooms
• Coffee and a selection of teas
• Freshly baked croissants, pastries and breads with assorted jams and jellies

• Gorgonzola and smoked bacon tart with tossed spinach & watercress salad & walnut dressing
• Charcuterie with roasted tomato, olive and artichoke salad with balsamic syrup
• Chicken with orange, grapes and ginger on a bed of couscous
• Basil pesto pasta with tomatoes, pine nuts
• Spiced meatballs with yellow split peas, Indian Style

• Taragon, grape and goat cheese salad with pickled shallots
• Celeriac and Roquefort soup
• Roasted butternut squash and watercress risotto
• Roast beef sirloin, horseradish sauce and yorkshire pudding, creamed leeks, spinach and fennel in white wine
• Ravioli with mint ricotta and lemon zest
• Braised pork belly with soy and anis truffle scented mash and fried asparagus
• Grilled salmon on samphire, lightly smashed new potatoes, champagne and chive sauce
• Twice baked Shropshire Blue souffles with spring onion, mushrooms and tomatoes
• Chicken shephards pie with parsnip crisps and beans with pancetta
• Chicken ballentine with sausage, fresh pasta, steamed purple sprouting broccoli and roasted corn in a wholegrain mustard veloute

• Arctic apple crumble
• Orange cointreau treacle sponge cake with ginger ice cream
• Sauterne and raspberry jelly, elderflower cream and tuile biscuits
• Caramelized pineapple with Greek yogurt and pineapple ice cream
• White chocolate and thyme ice cream with strawberries and balsamic caramel syrup
• Raspberry and almond sorbet in pavlova meringue
• Tarte au citron
• Champagne sabayon with strawberry puree
• Flambed figs and cointreau with mascarpone ice cream

Passenger Comments:

The Middle Thames offers a slow meandering journey past Royal Palaces, quaint riverside towns, villages, a mixture of old world England and the natural beauty of Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. From Henry VIII’s Hampton Court past Windsor Castle to Henley with frequent stops allowing plenty of time to wander and explore while we follow this old Viking trading route deep into rural countryside. Gentle exploration are the keywords, with good cycling and walking opportunities as the elegant and spacious air-conditioned 8 passenger Magna Carta finds her way inland.

Sunday - London to Hampton Court
Meet the Captain or a crew member at the designated meeting point in London for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred to the Magna Carta. On arrival receive your 'Champagne Welcome' aboard the Magna Carta moored outside Hampton Court, former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we remain overnight. Dinner on board.

Monday - Hampton Court to Runnymede
This morning we have ample time to really explore Hampton Court Palace, the most fabulous Tudor home of Henry VIII! Though used as a Royal home until Victorian times. We walk through 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 world's oldest growing grape vine and the famous maze! After lunch we enjoy our 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 on board.

Tuesday - Runnymede to Windsor
After breakfast we have the option to use the spa facilities of the newly refurbished Runnymede on Thames hotel including pool, sauna and steam room. Beauty therapies, massages and other treatments are available but are best booked in advance. This morning we cruise to Windsor before enjoying lunch on board. Our river journey takes us through Runnymede where King John faced the barons in 1215 and was forced to put his seal on the Magna Carta, the document which was the very first Bill of Rights and from which our vessel takes its name. From the boat we see the Magna Carta memorial and Magna Carta Island where the sealing took place. Our 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. We 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 on board.

Wednesday - Windsor to Cookham
Windsor to Cliveden leaving Royal Windsor behind us we cruise up to Boveney Lock and take a walk to Dorney Court. This very special home has been owned by the Palmer family 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." We are lucky to enjoy a private tour of the house. Our cruise continues past the fabulous waterside homes of Bray and Maidenhead, Boulter's Lock (made famous in Victorian times) and into the spectacular Clivedon reach where we 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. We discuss the political intrigue and scandal for which Cliveden is famous!!. A late afternoon cruise takes us to a stunning mooring at Cookham Lock. Artist Sir Stanley Spencer, one of England's greatest and most eccentric painters, once described Cookham as 'Heaven on Earth.' Much of his work was painted in and around Cookham. Dinner on board.

Thursday - Cookham to Hurley
After breakfast we visit Stanley Spencer's gallery and take a walk around the village before cruising through Bourne End and Marlow to Hurley. We tour Peter Freebody's boatyard and watch in wonder at the traditional craftsman at work, building and restoring wooden boats as they have done for generations. We 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 aboard.

Friday - Hurley to Henley on Thames
A morning cruise to Henley on Thames through fabulous countryside to our final mooring situated along 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, founded twice, once by Cardinal Wolsey and then by King Henry VIII. The magnificent surroundings were where Lewis Carrol wrote Alice in Wonderland. For our final night we enjoy the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday - Henley on Thames to London
Following breakfast, disembark the barge for your transfer to the designated drop off point in London.

Note: On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.

Please visit our Special Offers page to see potential discounts for this barge or many others.
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