Sunday, Golf cruise Day 1 London to Hampton Court Palace
Meet a crew member at the Stafford Hotel in London at 3pm for an English Afternoon Tea, before being transferred at 4pm to the Magna Carta. On board there will be a Champagne reception and welcome whilst being moored right outside Hampton Court, the former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we remain overnight. Dinner aboard.
Monday, Golf cruise Day 2 Hampton Court Palace to Shepperton (18 holes, Par 71, 5,953m)
This morning we leave the barge by foot and take the very short walk to Hampton Court Palace Golf Course situated on the River Thames. This is the only golf course in Great Britain where you can play golf in the grounds of a royal palace. This unique inland links design is a deceptively challenging test for golfers of all abilities. The course has a wide variety of flora and fauna including a magnificent herd of 300 fallow deer and an oak tree, probably over a thousand years old. In the afternoon enjoy a meandering cruise upstream following the course of the Thames to Shepperton. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday, Golf cruise Day 3 Shepperton to Runnymede (18 holes, Par 72, 6,198m)
Today’s golf is at the famous Walton Heath Golf Club, famous for staging the Ryder Cup and European Open Championships. Designed by Herbert Fowler in 1903 and once owned by the News of the World, Sir Elmsley Carr would invite people such as MP’s, Lords and members of the press to Walton Heath. In the afternoon we cruise to Runnymede where we moor outside the 4 Star hotel Runnymede-on-Thames which allows us the use of the excellent spa facilities including swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and beauty treatments (prior booking necessary). Dinner aboard.
Wednesday, Golf cruise Day 4 Runnymede to Windsor (18 holes, Par 73, 6,142m)
This morning we have an option. We can either take a short drive to view the Magna Carta memorial where King John faced the powerful barons and was made to sign the document from which our barge takes her name. We would also visit the commonwealth air force memorial, opened by the queen to commemorate those 20,000 airmen who have no known grave. Or Optional Golf at Wentworth to be paid for by guests directly to the club. Wentworth is considered one of Europe’s finest clubs and almost needs no introduction. Famous for the PGA and World Match Play Tournaments as well as many other events – approximate cost $370 (£225) per person. Our afternoon cruise leads us through beautiful countryside into the centre of Windsor. We will moor just outside Windsor Castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and inhabited for over 900 years by the Royal Family. Dinner aboard.
Thursday, Golf cruise Day 5 Windsor to Cliveden (18 holes, Par 70, 5,526m)
Today’s golf is at Sunningdale Golf Club, established in 1901 and ranked as one of the top 20 courses in the world, it was designed by Willie Park. It is a classic course with gorse and pine trees, silver birch, heather and immaculate turf. As lunch commences on board we start cruising up to Boveney Lock, continue past the fabulous waterside homes of Bray and Maidenhead, Boulters Lock (made famous in Victorian times) and into the spectacular Cliveden reach where we have special permission to moor at the house itself. Dinner aboard.
Friday, Golf cruise Day 6 Cliveden to Henley-on-Thames (18 holes, Par 70, 5,697m)
This morning we cruise to Henley on Thames, and along the famous Henley Regatta Course. Golf this afternoon is at Temple Golf Club. This gently undulating course has panoramic views of the Thames valley and is noted for its firm, fast greens. For our final night we enjoy the Captains Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday, Day 7 Henley to London
Following breakfast, disembark at 9.30am and return to London or Heathrow Airport.
On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.