Hampton Court Palace in England.  Photo courtesy of Historic Royal Palaces

Thames River Luxury Cruise & England Tour

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

England

Places Visited

London, River Thames, Hampton Court, Hampton Court Palace...

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Suggested Duration

9 Days

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

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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

4.89 stars based on 445 reviews.

England, France Travel Review: London, Paris, Buckingham...

It was a wonderful trip! Zicasso's tour partner was very helpful in securing our transfers and tickets for the tours we selected. The hotel they chose was exceptional and the breakfast layout was unbelievable! The staff at the agency and the other companies were wonderful. They went out of their way to ensure we had a smooth and worry-free experience.


Reviewed By Patricia C.

England Vacation Review: Seven Sisters, Stonehenge, Highclere...

Zicasso's travel agency did an excellent job, from pre-planning through execution! Our agent took a thorough inventory of the types of lodging and activities we liked, as well as specific locations we wanted to visit in England. She and the operations coordinator then put together a terrific travel itinerary for us. The hotels were unique and comfortable, and the driver/guides were fantastic. Every detail flowed smoothly and we highly recommend Zicasso and this agency!

Reviewed By Donna G.

England Tour Review: Jersey, Cotswolds, 17 Nights

The logistics and the Zicasso tour operator's response were excellent, particularly on the emergency line. The drivers were very good, always on time, courteous, and efficient. The accommodations selected were first-rate. Tour destinations were as expected, but all tour guides were flexible and made good suggestions regarding additional stops.

Reviewed By Bill C.

England Vacation Review: London, Sussex, Wimbledon, Michelin-Star...

We had an absolutely amazing time in England, thanks to Zicasso's travel specialist. We had the opportunity to visit the countryside in Sussex, walk in the Hundred Acre Wood with Winnie the Pooh, visit the coast, pass through Wimbledon, and finish off in London. The trip was perfectly planned and well-paced. They really listened to our intentions and made great recommendations with regard to lodging, tours, and food. 

Reviewed By Oliver V.

England, France Family Vacation Review: London, Food Tour,...

Zicasso’s tour partner and our agent specifically were wonderful. They planned one of the best vacations my family has ever been on. Also, I loved how they made all my travel documents and itinerary so easy for me to access. Last, they were always very prompt and easy to contact during my trip.

Reviewed By Simone T.

England, Scotland Tour Review: Oxford, Cotswolds, Royal...

Zicasso's travel agency was very easy to work with. Our agent and the team listened to our preferences and planned a fantastic trip for us.

Reviewed By Ray M.

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