Sunday, Tennis 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, Tennis cruise Day 2 Hampton Court Palace to Shepperton
Morning excursion to visit the state apartments of Henry VIII, whose 5th wife Catherine Howard is said to haunt the Great Hall and Gallery of Hampton Court, the finest Tudor Palace in existence. Wander through the beautiful Royal gardens and the famous maze. In the afternoon enjoy Tennis at the private Lensbury Club grass courts at Teddington. Return to Magna Carta and we cruise through Molesey Lock and followi the meandering path of the river through Sunbury to our overnight mooring at Shepperton Lock. Dinner aboard.
Tuesday, Tennis cruise Day 3 Shepperton to Windsor
We will have a morning cruise to Runnymede. We moor at a luxury spa hotel, The Runnymede, where we have the opportunity to visit the spa and use the pool and elaborate leisure facilities. Time for tennis at the Runnymede Hotel’s outdoor hard courts before another cruise past Runnymede, where King John faced the powerful barons and signed the ‘Magna Carta’ in 1215. We will arrive in Windsor and moor outside the castle. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Tennis cruise Day 4 Windsor to Cliveden
This morning we have our excursion to Windsor Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and inhabited for over 900 years by the Royal Family. Tennis today is at the Windsor Lawn Tennis Club. Once back on board we will start cruising up through 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.
Thursday, Tennis cruise Day 5 Cliveden to Bisham
After breakfast we start our tour of Cliveden. Cliveden was once owned by the Astor family, though the original house dates back to 1666. The gardens are simply amazing and include a Parterre, Chinese water garden and topiary. We discuss the political intrigue and scandal for which Cliveden is famous!! On your return you will be served a lovely lunch and we start cruising through Bourne End and Marlow to our stunning mooring at Bisham Abbey. Bisham Abbey is the British National Sports centre and we are able to use their outdoor clay and hard courts. Originally the site of a monastery the old buildings were once home to King Henry VIII and Elizabeth I and therefore offers the uniqueness of time and history as well as the most modern sporting facilities. Dinner aboard.
Friday, Tennis cruise Day 6 Bisham to Henley-on-Thames
A morning cruise to the village of Hurley where we have time to wander Peter Freebody’s boatyard. There we can watch in wonder at the traditional craftsman at work. Return to the barge for lunch before cruising to Henley-on-Thames, along the famous Henley Regatta Course. Once we arrive in Henley there is plenty of time to explore the town for shopping opportunities and browsing in antique shops before returning to Magna Carta for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday, Tennis cruise Day 7 Henley to London
Following breakfast, disembark at 9.30am and return to London or Heathrow Airport.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.