dossier

Actief - England and the Upper Thames

Day 1: LONDON TO SHILLINGFORD
At 2:00 pm you are met in London at the Goring Hotel and transferred to Actief's private mooring at Shillingford Bridge. Traditional English cream tea on arrival and a chance to settle into your attractive and comfortable cabins. The evening commences with a Festive Champagne Reception followed by Dinner aboard.

Day 2: SHILLINGFORD TO PANGBOURNE
Morning cruise through glacier-formed hills to the 17th century Swan Inn. Tour Oxford "City of Dreaming Spires" and view Christchurch college, founded by Henry VIII in 1525, and the setting for the tale of Alice in Wonderland. Time for shopping and afternoon tea before returning to Actief. Dinner aboard.

Day 3: PANGBOURNE TO HENLEY ON THAMES
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. Dinner aboard.

Day 4: HENLEY ON THAMES
This morning we tour Henley's spectacular and interactive River & Rowing Museum and discover the secrets, mythology and history and traditions of the Thames. After lunch, there is time to catch up on some shopping in the fashionable town, home to the world-famous annual Henley Royal Regatta. A late afternoon cruise takes us to the picturesque medieval village of Hurley.  Dinner aboard.

Day 5: HURLEY TO CLIVEDEN
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 quite memorable. Dinner aboard.

Day 6: CLIVEDEN TO WINDSOR
A delightful morning cruise takes us to our final mooring below magnificent Windsor Castle. After lunch we visit Eton College, founded in 1440 and school to Princes William and Harry and some 20 of Britain's Prime Ministers. There is time to browse the many antique shops in the High Street, before the Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard, based on a period banquet.

Day 7: WINDSOR TO LONDON
After breakfast, depart at about 9:30 am and return to Hotel or Heathrow airport.

On alternate weeks, cruise will be in reverse direction.  This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.