Magna Carta Cruises, England

GREAT GOLF AND SIGHTSEEING LIE AROUND THE BEND WHEN CRUISING THE RIVER THAMES ABOARD YOUR LUXURIOUS HOTEL

Here's a beguiling way to savour England's glorious countryside and play some memorable golf on an exclusive holiday with a difference; a week-long cruise aboard a luxurious river barge that saunters along the River Thames through London’s western reaches, stopping at four of the country's greatest courses and, for an infusion of culture, visiting a number of historic attractions.

The barge is the Magna Carta, a lavishly appointed floating hotel that offers a maximum of eight passengers an unforgettable six-night cruise that brings spectacular golf and sightseeing combined with gourmet dining and personalised service as it meanders through the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

The River Thames is synonymous with the City of London but few people realize that only ten miles west of the city centre the river begins to meanders through quaint towns and villages and picture-book landscapes. It may be the ultimate in romantic holidays for the discerning.

Each day, generally after golf, Magna Carta will sail for three or so hours at a stately pace to her next overnight mooring on one of the world’s most historically significant waterways. Sightseeing visits are scheduled for Hampton Court Palace, the Tudor love nest of Henry VIII; Windsor Castle, still the weekend retreat of the Royal Family; and nearby Runnymede, where the Magna Carta, in effect the world's first Bill of Rights, was signed in 1215.

The golf is equally historic with rounds at the world-renowned courses of Sunningdale, The Berkshire, Walton Heath and at Hampton Court, the only British golf course within the grounds of a royal palace. But as that old airline slogan had it: getting there is only half the fun! In this case the barge completes the delights.

Built in Belgium in 1936, the Magna Carta was lavishly restored and began cruising the Thames in 2002. Of 116 feet in length with a beam of 16 feet, the vessel has two decks. The lower one has four luxurious staterooms, each of some 200 square feet and each with a spacious en suite facility that includes shower rooms, heated towel rails, hair driers and bathrobes. Each suite has underfloor heating and air-conditioning.

The upper deck houses the main salon and sun deck and provides comfortable space for four couples to relax and enjoy the bar, a library and dining area.

Fine dining on-board will be another daily highlight and, except where lunch and drinks are taken ashore, all meals are included in the price, as is the choice of wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks available at the open bar.

The Magna Carta is owner-operated and the weekly cruises, which commence in March 2011, have been devised and organised by one of the world's most reputable golf tour companies which also offers similar cruises on the waterways of mainland Europe.

Rates for the Magna Carta cruises are dependant upon the number of guests and the season. For further details, and to register an interest, please contact us.