The River Thames weaves through an elaborate patchwork of English history. Eclectically turning through the centuries, it connects royal palaces with 11th-century villages and World War II history with lush country gardens. Serene and sublime, this unique 9-day Thames River cruise tour traverses the paradigms, connecting Hurley-on-Thames with Hampton Court. Split your time between tranquilly cruising through rural England and exploring the mysterious charms of the country's past.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Hampton Court – English Cream Tea and a Welcome to the Thames
Leisurely English introductions can only come in one form: traditional afternoon tea. A tiered silver platter adorns the table, embellished with a menagerie of scones, finger sandwiches, and sensational pastries. Tea leaves brew in fine china teapots while the separate milk and sugar jars reveal the English dedication to detail. An atmosphere of elegance pervades through the ballroom as you slowly sample the variety of cakes that line up on the table. This English tradition is running strong after countless centuries and provides a fitting introduction to the style of your itinerary. Afternoon tea can't be rushed. It's something to savor, an experience that runs on for two or three hours as you lounge in the luxury of the setting. Teapots are refilled, another platter of treats come out, and the crumbs pile up on your china plate.
After landing in England, you'll be transferred to a five-star hotel in London. Day access to a hotel room enables you to shower and freshen up before the relaxed afternoon of tea and treats in the hotel's ballroom. Once you're fully settled into the salubrious style, you're transferred out to the luxury barge, moored amidst a canopy of green at Hampton Court. The River Thames is gentle. Unlike an ocean cruise, there's no rocking from side to side or sporadic crashing waves. Over the centuries, most of the river has been controlled by locks, meaning the water moves at an almost imperceptible speed. Enjoy a welcome reception that befits the regal backdrop and sit down to a lavish gourmet dinner on board. The salon enjoys panoramic windows, enabling you to continue the immersion in rural life at all times. So sit back and watch the sultry summer evening spill into an elongated sunset. Consider reading some of our England traveler reviews, and gain some inspiration to further perfect your own England itinerary.
What's Included:
Day 2
Runnymede – Cruising Through the Early 16th Century
Day 3
Runnymede to Windsor – The World's Oldest Inhabited Castle
Day 4
Boveney Lock to Cliveden Reach – Ornate Country Estates in Rural England
Day 5
Cookham to Hurley-on-Thames – Tranquil Cruising on the Historic River
Day 6
Hurley-on-Thames – Traditional Crafts and a Day Trip to Oxford
Day 7 - 8
Mayfair – Luxurious Relaxation in the Heart of London
Day 9
Mayfair – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Spend nine days tranquilly cruising along England's famous waterway on a luxury canal barge
- Explore the rich tapestry of history that cascades from the riverfront, including quaint millennia-old villages and mazy riverside gardens
- Discover the scale and detail of Windsor Castle, residence of Her Royal Majesty and the largest inhabited castle in the world
- Enjoy closed-door access to sublime estates and gardens, such as Dorney Court and Cliveden Reach
- See an off-the-beaten-track side to England as you slowly cruise down the river and admire local life
- Wander through the ancient halls of Oxford University and wallow in its grandeur
- Admire traditional craftsmen that continue centuries of history as they work along the Thames
- Complete the itinerary with two days of relaxed luxury in the heart of Mayfair, London's premier central address
Detailed Description
Traditional England spills out from its rivers and canals, the old waterways revealing life as it always has been. Mazy gardens hide behind canopies of oak trees; 11th-century villages reveal streets of cobblestone and allure; craftsmen line boatyards and local life slowly cruise by. The River Thames charts a course through the eclectic patchwork of English history, connecting the charms of yesteryear with the stately opulence of royal excess. Weaving a path through the centuries, the river unveils a lesser-seen side to England, one that's far from the elbow-barging crowds of the famous attractions. Serene and sometimes surreal, this luxury Thames River cruise itinerary allows you to admire the charms of historic rural England. Just sit back and enjoy the show.
For the first seven days, you cruise along the Thames in a luxury barge. The traditional craft rekindles the beauty of 17th-century royal cruising, featuring four deluxe cabins, a sumptuous salon area, and a broad split-level sun deck. Panoramic views come from both inside and outside, and there's a feeling of security when you first take a step on the thick hardwood flooring. Meals and alcoholic drinks are included, along with the use of mountain bikes for when the barge docks.
River cruising is slow travel. At the relaxed speed, you can take in all the country's exquisite detail; manor houses poke out through the foliage, smoke emits from the chimney of traditional inns, and ancient architecture leans and crumbles with an air of elegance. You dock in sublime settings, surrounded by green and settled into the beauty of rural England. Day trips unravel the patchwork of life that has always settled close to the River Thames. There's Hampton Court Palace from the 16th century, magnificent Windsor Castle, private Dorney Court, and the glamorous history of Cliveden Reach. Keep traveling slowly and you explore Stanley Spencer's gallery, and then the craftsmen that continue to work in Peter Freebody's boatyard. A day trip to Oxford reveals college grandeur while the country's oldest inn is found beside the river.
For these seven days, it's wonderfully tranquil, just a small handful of passengers cruising along England's famous river. Completing the itinerary is two nights in Mayfair, London's premier address. So much of the iconic city is within easy walking distance from here, enabling you to tick off the famous attractions and explore the shops and theaters of the West End.
Consider browsing some of our other England tours, and read how you can customize your England vacation to your particular interests and desires.
Starting Price
$9,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.91 stars based on 53 reviews.
We absolutely loved our England adventure and already wish we could go back. It was a perfect balance of English countryside, history, and culture.
All our hotels were wonderful. The lodge in Broadway was such an extraordinary place to stay—the property was so historic, but the rooms and amenities were modern. We loved the pool and gym, and delicious food/drink they offered. We also took advantage of the playground down the street every evening after dinner—it had a zipline and a beautiful vista. The lodge at Warwick was also amazing, such a fun place to stay for families with young kids. We also really enjoyed our hotel in London. The location was ideal as we could walk to restaurants and we had a tube station right there.
Our drivers were also very professional and friendly, and made the transfers between locations so simple and stress-free for us. Honestly we have nothing but good things to say about every moment of this vacation, from the afternoon tea to the "Harry Potter" studio tour.
Reviewed By Darren L.
We had an exceptional experience with the team at Zicasso's travel company, particularly our agent. She listened to our hopes and needs for a very complex trip, and created a journey that exceeded our expectations in every way.
Reviewed By Lorraine M.
The trip was good.
Reviewed By Denise M.
When we reached out to Zicasso to plan our trip, we were matched with two different agencies. After speaking to them both, we felt most comfortable with this travel company and we are so glad we chose them! We wanted to plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe and the tour company went above and beyond to help us do that!
Everyone we worked with listened to our needs and requests, and together we created the perfect itinerary for our family, which included something for everyone! We had all of the information we needed to make us feel comfortable and prepared, and we also knew they were there for us if we needed anything during the trip itself.
We fit so much into this trip. We saw sights we have always wanted to and had unforgettable experiences together as a family! We will treasure these memories forever and we have this travel company to thank for that!
Reviewed By Amy W.
It was a wonderful trip. The Zicasso travel company does a great job of taking care of all the small but important details that can add stress to a big trip. We would use them again!
Reviewed By Peter G.
The Zicasso travel agency was absolutely wonderful, helping us plan a customized trip to England and Scotland. Our travel group of 10 included teenagers through retirees. They truly listened to our interests and helped build an amazing experience for everyone. The individualized care and communication were wonderful. They were also incredibly responsive and helpful when our incoming flight was delayed. We'd highly recommend!!
Reviewed By Kate T.