Detailed Itinerary
Meet one of your Magna Carta hosts at The Stafford Hotel at 3pm for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred to the Magna Carta at 4pm. Champagne reception and welcome by the Captain.
Early evening cruise to Kingston and back to Hampton Court Palace, former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we moor for the night.
Dinner on board.
Overnight: Magna Carta by Hampton Court Palace.
Today’s golf is at the Walton Heath Golf Club, GOLF Magazine’s World #86 found less than 20 miles south of London city centre and famous for staging the Ryder Cup and five European Open Championships. Designed by Herbert Fowler in 1903, this heathland masterpiece opened for play in 1904 with an exhibition match between the legendary Triumvirate of Harry Vardon, J.H.Taylor and James Braid. Braid was the Club's first head profession where he remained until his death in 1950.
NON-GOLFERS: 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.
Afternoon cruise through 5 locks, Shepperton and Laleham to Runnymede.
Dinner on board
Overnight: Magna Carta at Runnymede.
After breakfast guests have the option to use the excellent spa facilities of The Runnymede Hotel including swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and beauty treatments. (Massages or any treatments should be booked in advance). Then we cruise to Windsor, past the Magna Carta Memorial and Magna Carta Island where in 1215, King John was forced to put 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, 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.
Overnight: Magna Carta at Windsor.
Today’s golf is at Sunningdale Golf Club, established in 1901 and ranked World #35 by GOLF Magazine. The Old Course was designed by Willie Park and opened in 1900. Another of London’s great healthland layouts, this tree-lined track is dotted with heather patches and ingeniously placed bunkers. Architecture buffs will appreciate the par-4 fifth hole where the first man-made water hazard in golf design appears in the form of a pond on the right side of the fairway.
NON-GOLFERS: 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 moor at Cookham.
Dinner on board.
Overnight: Magna Carta in Cookham.
This morning our first tour is Cliveden itself. Once home to the Astor family, it has amazing gardens and was, of course, the scene of much political scandal and intrique. Then, we 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. Once in Hurley, we tour Peter Freebody’s boatyard 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 Bell, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country, before returning to the hotel barge.
Dinner on board
Overnight: Magna Carta in Hurley.
Golf this morning is at The Berkshire Golf Club. Founded in 1928, designed by Herbert Fowler and constructed by the office of Crown Lands on estates once used by Queen Anne for her hunting parties in the 18th century. This course is an absolute gem.
NON-GOLFERS: 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. We see other interesting buildings such as Sheldonian Theatre and Bodleian Library.
This afternoon we take a delightful cruise to Henley on Thames, most famous for the annual Rowing Regatta. We moor at Remenham which is half way along the Regatta course.
Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Overnight: Magna Carta in Henley on Thames.
Following breakfast disembark Magna Carta in Henley on Thames by 9:30 am.
On alternate weeks, the cruise will sail in the reverse direction. This itinerary and its golf course and sightseeing inclusions may be modified at client request.
