Sunday - Henley-on-Thames
Guests are met at the Stafford Hotel in central London** for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred 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 - 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 - Hurley to Cliveden
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, then continue our cruise into the spectacular Cliveden Reach to our exclusive mooring on the Cliveden estate. Dinner on board.

Wednesday - Cliveden to Windsor
This morning, we take a tour of 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. 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 - 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 - 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 - Hampton Court Palace
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to central London**.

Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
** Alternate pickup and dropoff locations may be arranged for charter groups.

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Dining Aboard The Magna Carta:
SAMPLE MENU

BREAKFAST

• 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

LUNCH

• 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

DINNER

• 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

DESSERTS

• 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

SAMPLE WINE LIST Les Damnée des Prieur, Sancerre; Domaine de la Croix Jacquelet, Faiveley Montagny; Les Pontilles, Sauvignon Blanc; Don Cayetano Merlot Baroncini Rosso di Montalcino

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Passenger Comments:

A great time and lots of personal attention! Accommodations were plush and large and the service was excellent...we felt thoroughly pampered. My wife and I highly recommend a barge trip on the Magna Carta. What a wonderful way to experience the English countryside. There are no worries when you spend a week on the river while being spoiled by such excellent service.
R & P C., MN, USA

The barge trip was extremely comfortable; I had a wonderful cabin with a king-sized bed and had a good night's sleep every night of the cruise. I have to add, of course, that the ever-flowing "Cosmopolitans" contributed to the sleep! The meals were prepared by an excellent young chef, Ryan, and it was a delight to look forward to his imaginative and delicious cuisine. The two girls on staff, Laura and Jane, were incredibly hospitable and efficient. Our Captain was a real gentleman, who made us quite "at home" throughout the cruise. The fact that we were blessed with good weather contributed to the experience of the wonderful Thames, with its many locks and charming houses along the way.I found that my expectations were exceeded in every way.
E.K., MA, USA

It was very nice. The crew were all great, very helpful. The food was good and all of the excursions were well planned out. Dominic was extremely helpful, above and beyond the call of duty!
D & D A., NJ, USA

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LINKS to Magna Carta Information

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This page last updated December 25, 2023