Magna Carta |
Barge Information
Rating  : Deluxe
Number of Passengers: 8
Number of Cabins: 4
Size of Vessel: 117 ft in length
Number of Crew: 4
Cruise Region: England
Other Regions Sailed: None
2008 Whole Boat Charters starting at $23,150
2008 Prices (per person) starting at $3,200
2009 Whole Boat Charters starting at $28,200
2009 Prices (per person) starting at $3,800
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Photo Album
 Magna Carta |
Overview
The 8 passenger Magna Carta is one of the finest, most luxurious vessels cruising the British Isles. The ambience created by
combining a traditional barge hull and fine mahogany, teak and oak woods is outstanding.
Owners Dominic Read and Geoffrey Temple have deliberately chosen to take just 8 guests on Magna Carta while other barges of her
size carry 10, 12, or more passengers. The result is exceptional space and service for each passenger.
Magna Carta features sophisticated modern amenities including air conditioning, underfloor heating, and a sundeck with Jacuzzi.
The salon and sundecks are also much larger than expected and give guests the space to really relax and unwind. Service
is second to none with a crew of four that includes Dominic as the captain, a master chef, a hostess and deck hand.
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Accommodations
The large cabins aboard Magna Carta average 200 square feet in size with king-sized beds and every spacious ensuite bathrooms.
Cabins are beautifully decorated with hardwood floors and accents.
Each cabin is equipped with hair dryers, ample hanging and drawer space, and a television with DVD player.
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Amenities
- Fine cuisine featuring regional specialties
- Excellent wines with lunch and dinner
- Open bar
- Split-level sundeck with dining table, steamer chairs, recliners, and Jacuzzi
- Air conditioning and underfloor heating
- Bicycles
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Sample Itinerary
Middle Thames River
Cruising Between Henley-on-Thames and Hampton Court
Sunday - Meet the Captain at the Stafford Hotel in London for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred to
the Magna Carta, moored in the historic regatta town of Henley-on-Thames. Once aboard, you'll be treated to a champagne reception
and welcome by the Captain and crew.
Monday - Henley is surely one of the prettiest towns on the river. This morning you'll visit the award winning River and
Rowing Museum. Afterwards there is time to explore the town, from the market place at one end to the easy Georgian curves of
Henley Bridge at the other.
Magna Carta will set off at lunchtime and you'll cruise the famous Regatta Mile. Here, every year in July rowing teams from around
the world compete in front of Champagne and Pimms fueled crowds. Then you'll pass through Hambledon Lock, and onwards to the
medieval village of Hurley, where you'll have time to wander through Peter Freebody's boatyard and watch in wonder as the
traditional craftsmen build and restore classic wooden craft.
Afterwards you'll have time to explore the ancient village including Ye Olde Belle, reputed to be the oldest inn in the country,
before returning to the barge for a late afternoon cruise down through Bisham and Marlow to the overnight mooring in Bourne End.
After dinner this evening you'll have the chance to join the Captain in a most unusual riverside pub!
Tuesday - This morning enjoy a short cruise to Cookham, once described as 'Heaven on Earth' by artist Stanley Spencer, one
of England's greatest and most eccentric painters, who frequently transposed biblical scenes into his surroundings. You'll visit
his gallery and take a walk around the village he loved so much.
After lunch, have cameras ready for a magical cruise. Magna Carta navigates the narrow, willow lined Cookham lock-cut and then enters
into the spectacular Clivedon reach. High on the wooded hillside you can see Clivedon, once the home of the Astor family. Magna Carta
continues through Maidenhead and Bray, (the lock here has the prettiest garden on the river) and down to the evening's peaceful
mooring near Windsor.
Wednesday - This morning Magna Carta cruises right to the heart of Windsor before lunch which you'll enjoy on board.
Then take an afternoon excursion to Windsor Castle. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066 and a royal home for over 900 years,
this is the largest inhabited castle in the world.
You'll explore the State Apartments, Queen Mary's Dolls House and St George's Chapel and enjoy the far-reaching views from its
elevated fortress position. During the late afternoon cruise you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the castle on the way to the private
mooring in Runnymede.
Thursday - Moored at Bell Weir Lock adjacent to a luxury spa hotel, you'll have the opportunity to visit and use the
facilities including pool, sauna and steam room. Beauty therapies, massages and other treatments are available but are best
booked in advance.
Your tour for the morning takes you a short distance to the Magna Carta memorial. Here in 1215 King John was forced to meet the
powerful barons and seal this historic document which took away absolute power from the King and later became the basis for the
American Bill of Rights.
You'll also visit the JFK Memorial and the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial before moving on to Savill Gardens, part of Windsor
Great Park and containing a wealth of diverse plants and shrubs. After lunch the cruise continues down river to the secluded
overnight mooring near Shepperton.
Friday - After breakfast you'll spend the entire morning cruising through countryside and the delightful riverside towns
and locks of Chertsey, Sunbury, and Molesey to a spectacular mooring right outside the gates of Hampton Court Palace.
After lunch you'll visit this magnificent palace, the finest Tudor building in existence. You can wander around King Henry VIII's
apartments and the Royal Chapel, feel the chill in the haunted gallery, view Cardinal Wolsey's closet and stroll through the Tudor
kitchens. Outside, the gardens are breathtaking. The Great Vine, the oldest in the country, still produces grapes and a world
famous maze awaits. Then return to Magna Carta for the Captain's Gala Dinner.
Saturday - Following breakfast you'll disembark and return to London.
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1.800.549.2575
