Cruise aboard Actief the stunning upper reaches of the Royal River Thames.
Our entire route enjoys exquisite scenery without the distraction of commercial or industrial activity. Delightful islands, winding backwaters, quaint villages, locks and weir streams await around every bend. Actiefs luxurious charm and style is the perfect base for a cruise through a tapestry of English history. Add to this superb private tours, fantastic gourmet cuisine and exceptionally good service from the warm and friendly owners and crew and the result is the most relaxing, refreshing holiday imaginable.
Sunday:
We meet at London's Goring Hotel at 2pm and transfer by private motorcoach to Actief moored at Shillingford Bridge. En-route there is a short stop at Ewelme village to view the stunning medieval church and almshouses founded by Chaucer's grand-daughter Alice, Duchess of Suffolk. A traditional English cream tea awaits our arrival on board Actief followed by time to settle into your cabins before a Champagne reception and Dinner aboard.
Monday:
This morning we cruise through glacier formed hills to our moorings at either Goring or the 17th century Swan Inn at Pangbourne. After lunch we visit Oxford - City of Dreaming Spires and view the grandest of all of Oxfords Colleges, Christchurch, founded by Henry VIII in 1525 and the setting for the tale of Alice in Wonderland. This is followed by time for shopping and afternoon tea before returning to Actief for an early evening cruise through Sylvan countryside (setting for Kenneth Grahame's "Wind in the Willows") to our mooring at the picturesque Mapledurham Estate for Dinner.
Tuesday:
This morning you are collected by our guide for a private and exclusive tour of the Elizabethan Mapledurham House, home to descendents of the same family since 1490 and Mapledurham Mill, a 500 year old still working water mill (famously used during the filming of "The Eagle has Landed") Afterwards we enjoy a relaxing cruise to our overnight mooring in the centre of Henley-on-Thames.
Wednesday:
This morning you are greeted to a hive of river activity. Our mooring is located next to the famous Leander Rowing Club home to some of the worlds most famous rowers and oarsman. Rowers of all ages and in various crew sizes can be seen at close quarters rowing past our mooring on there way to and from the famous race course just a few yards down the river. After breakfast we visit the spectacular River and Rowing Museum consisting of three separate galleries, all with fun interactive displays dealing with the river, the art of rowing and the development of historic Henley, famous for the annual Royal Regatta. After lunch we enjoy a leisurely cruise to the picturesque Medieval village of Hurley where we moor for the evening.
Thursday:
The day begins with a gentle walking tour around Hurley, home of Ye Olde Bell, reputedly England's oldest Inn founded for visiting monks in 1135. This is followed by a visit to Peter Freebody's traditional boatyard (Peter's family have been involved on the river for 800 years!) We then enjoy a cruise to one of the most stunning reaches of the river at Cliveden and our private mooring at this magnificent estate, former home of the Astors. This tour with its breath taking views is most memorable.
Friday:
A delightful morning cruise takes you past spectacular riverside properties and countryside to our final mooring below the magnificent Windsor Castle. After lunch we visit Eton College founded in 1440 and alma mater to Prince William & Harry. The Museum of Eton Life gives a fascinating insight into the education of Britains premier scions over the centuries. Following this there is time to browse around the many shops of Eton and Windsor before returning to Actief for your Captain to host his farewell dinner.
Our entire route enjoys exquisite scenery without the distraction of commercial or industrial activity. Delightful islands, winding backwaters, quaint villages, locks and weir streams await around every bend. Actiefs luxurious charm and style is the perfect base for a cruise through a tapestry of English history. Add to this superb private tours, fantastic gourmet cuisine and exceptionally good service from the warm and friendly owners and crew and the result is the most relaxing, refreshing holiday imaginable.
Sunday:
We meet at London's Goring Hotel at 2pm and transfer by private motorcoach to Actief moored at Shillingford Bridge. En-route there is a short stop at Ewelme village to view the stunning medieval church and almshouses founded by Chaucer's grand-daughter Alice, Duchess of Suffolk. A traditional English cream tea awaits our arrival on board Actief followed by time to settle into your cabins before a Champagne reception and Dinner aboard.
Monday:
This morning we cruise through glacier formed hills to our moorings at either Goring or the 17th century Swan Inn at Pangbourne. After lunch we visit Oxford - City of Dreaming Spires and view the grandest of all of Oxfords Colleges, Christchurch, founded by Henry VIII in 1525 and the setting for the tale of Alice in Wonderland. This is followed by time for shopping and afternoon tea before returning to Actief for an early evening cruise through Sylvan countryside (setting for Kenneth Grahame's "Wind in the Willows") to our mooring at the picturesque Mapledurham Estate for Dinner.
Tuesday:
This morning you are collected by our guide for a private and exclusive tour of the Elizabethan Mapledurham House, home to descendents of the same family since 1490 and Mapledurham Mill, a 500 year old still working water mill (famously used during the filming of "The Eagle has Landed") Afterwards we enjoy a relaxing cruise to our overnight mooring in the centre of Henley-on-Thames.
Wednesday:
This morning you are greeted to a hive of river activity. Our mooring is located next to the famous Leander Rowing Club home to some of the worlds most famous rowers and oarsman. Rowers of all ages and in various crew sizes can be seen at close quarters rowing past our mooring on there way to and from the famous race course just a few yards down the river. After breakfast we visit the spectacular River and Rowing Museum consisting of three separate galleries, all with fun interactive displays dealing with the river, the art of rowing and the development of historic Henley, famous for the annual Royal Regatta. After lunch we enjoy a leisurely cruise to the picturesque Medieval village of Hurley where we moor for the evening.
Thursday:
The day begins with a gentle walking tour around Hurley, home of Ye Olde Bell, reputedly England's oldest Inn founded for visiting monks in 1135. This is followed by a visit to Peter Freebody's traditional boatyard (Peter's family have been involved on the river for 800 years!) We then enjoy a cruise to one of the most stunning reaches of the river at Cliveden and our private mooring at this magnificent estate, former home of the Astors. This tour with its breath taking views is most memorable.
Friday:
A delightful morning cruise takes you past spectacular riverside properties and countryside to our final mooring below the magnificent Windsor Castle. After lunch we visit Eton College founded in 1440 and alma mater to Prince William & Harry. The Museum of Eton Life gives a fascinating insight into the education of Britains premier scions over the centuries. Following this there is time to browse around the many shops of Eton and Windsor before returning to Actief for your Captain to host his farewell dinner.
