Actief Canal Barge - Upper Thames, England: 7 Days Cruise Tour

The 11 passenger Actief was launched in Holland in 1907 and Luxuriously converted to hotel use. Actief's accommodations are beautifully presented in the style of an English Country House. The spacious flower lined sun-deck and comfortable elegant saloon are complimented by beautifully decorated cabins. Actief's sleeping accommodations comprises of three suites - Astor, Wolsey and Nelson with two twins and a single cabin. Actief's crew of four are led by the Captain and include an expert Chef and two Hostesses, all of whom are totally committed to the enjoyment of your holiday.

Inclusions

  • Gourmet cuisine including 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 6 dinners
  • All-inclusive open bar including free wines
  • Entry fees to excursions

Highlights

  • Eton College, Britain's premier school and alma mater to Princes William and Henry
  • Waldorf and Nancy Astor's former home of Cliveden, stunning gardens and views
  • The enchanting medieval riverside villages of Hurley and Sonning
  • Henley's award winning and interactive River and Rowing museum
  • Beautiful Elizabethan Mapledurham House and Water Mill
  • Christchurch College Oxford founded by Henry VIII in 1525

Special Notes

  • Travel April through October from $2790.00. Please call for rates and availability.




Itinerary

Day 1 - London
Private transfer from the Goring Hotel in London to our mooring at Shillingford Bridge. After a traditional English cream tea on arrival there is a late afternoon cruise and a chance to settle in to your comfortable and attractive cabins. The evening commences with a festive champagne reception followed by dinner and your first night aboard.

Day 2 - Oxford
This morning's cruise is through glacier formed hills to our mooring alongside the 17th century Swan Inn at Pangbourne. After lunch we visit Oxford - "City of Dreaming Spires". View the grandest of all Oxford's 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.

Day 3 - Mapledurham Hill
This morning our cruise continues through sylvan countryside (setting for Kenneth Grahame's "Wind In The Willows") to the picturesque Mapledurham Estate. Here we privately visit Elizabethan Mapledurham House, home to descendants 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 our cruise continues until reaching our overnight stop at Henley-On-Thames.

Day 4 - River & Rowing Museum
A picturesque early morning cruise brings us to elegant Henley-On-Thames. This morning we visit the spectacular new and interactive River and Rowing Museum. No ordinary museum, this is a wonderful chance to learn something of the secrets, mythology, history and traditions of the River Thames. After lunch there is time to catch up on some shopping in this fashionable town, home to the world famous annual Henley Royal Regatta. A late afternoon cruise takes us to the picturesque medieval village of Hurley.

Day 5 - Ye Olde Bell
A gentle walking tour around Hurley, home of Ye Olde Bell, reputedly England's oldest Inn founded for visiting monks in 1135, is followed by a visit to Peter Freebody's traditional boatyard. Peter's family has been involved in the river for 800 years! We then cruise to one of the most stunning reaches on the river at Cliveden and our private mooring at this magnificent estate, former home of the Astors. Our tour of the fabulous gardens with breathtaking views is most memorable.

Day 6 - Windsor Castle
A delightful morning cruise takes us to our final mooring below magnificent Windsor Castle. After lunch we visit Eton College, founded in 1440 and current school to Prince Harry. The Museum of Eton Life gives a fascinating insight into the education of Britain's premier scions over the centuries. Following this there is time for you to browse the many shops in Eton and Windsor. Tonight the Captain hosts his farewell dinner, based on a period banquet.

Day 7 - Windsor to London
Disembark at 10AM and take a private transfer to London Heathrow Airport or the Goring Hotel.

Travel Dates & Rates, Ask Agent

  • Note: From pricing is per person based on double occupancy and does not include airfare. The itinerary is in the reverse direction every other cruise week. Itineraries are subject to change due to canal/river conditions and are at the sole discretion of the captain.

Prices subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted as US or CA are in US Dollars.