Classic Cruise – England (Including Downton Abbey)

Guests are met at the Stafford Hotel in central London for traditional afternoon cream tea, followed by a transfer to the Magna Carta. Upon arrival, enjoy a champagne reception and a warm welcome from the Captain and crew. Dinner is served on board.

This morning, visit the impressive Hampton Court Palace, exploring Henry VIII’s apartments, the Royal Chapel, the haunted gallery, and the historic Tudor kitchens. Outside, stroll through the renowned gardens featuring the Great Vine—Britain’s oldest fruiting vine—and the famous maze. After lunch on board, continue through Molesey, Sunbury, and Shepperton Locks to a private mooring. An optional pub visit is offered before dinner on board.

After breakfast, 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. Your 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. Explore the State Apartments, see Queen Mary’s Dolls House, St George’s Chapel and enjoy the far-reaching views. Dinner on board.

This morning, cruise upstream past the fabulous waterside houses of Bray and through the spectacular Cliveden Reach to your exclusive mooring on the Cliveden estate. Cliveden was once owned by the Astor family, though the original house dates back to 1666. The property has glorious gardens that include a Parterre, Chinese water garden and wonderful topiary and was, of course, the scene of much political intrigue and scandal. Dinner on board.

After breakfast, drive to Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey), one of England’s most beautiful Victorian castles set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland. The Carnarvon family has lived at Highclere since 1679, and the current castle stands on the site of an earlier house, which in turn was built on the foundations of the medieval palace owned by the Bishops of Winchester for some 800 years. A longstanding friend of the Carnarvon family, Julian Fellowes had Highclere Castle in mind as he wrote “Downton Abbey”. He often commented he wanted a house which spectacularly testified to the confidence and soaring optimism of the Edwardian period. After lunch, cruise further upstream to visit the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham and take a walk around the village he once described as ‘Heaven on Earth’, before cruising through Marlow to Hurley. Dinner on board.

This morning, tour Peter Freebody’s boatyard nearby and watch in wonder as the traditional craftsmen at work, build and restore classic wooden craft. You have time to explore the ancient village, including Ye Olde Bell, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country, before returning to the barge and cruising through fabulous countryside to your final mooring along the famous Henley Regatta Rowing Course. Then, an earlier lunch, followed by a 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. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

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