Sunday - London to Kingston-upon-Thames to Hampton Court Palace
Meet the Captain at the Stafford Hotel in London at 3pm for afternoon English Cream Tea, before being transferred at 4pm to the Magna Carta moored in Kingston-on-Thames.  Champagne reception and welcome by the Captain.  Early evening cruise to Hampton Court Palace, former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII, where we moor for the night.   Dinner aboard.

Monday - Hampton Court to Shepperton
Morning excursion to visit the state apartments of Henry VIII, whose 5th wife Catherine Howard is said to haunt the Great Hall and Gallery of Hampton Court, the finest Tudor Palace in existence. Wander through the beautiful Royal gardens and maze. In the afternoon enjoy a meandering cruise upstream following the course of the Thames to Shepperton.  Dinner on board

Tuesday - Shepperton to Runnymede
This morning we visit the famous Kew Gardens.  With the new Bonsai collection, Palm House where all the plants have their first flush of new growth and tropical water lilies are opening their exotic blooms in the nearby Waterlily House.  Plant of a smaller stature or scale can be seen in the Rock Garden and here plants from the World’s mountain ranges are grown alongside Mediterranean species, both enjoying the open, sunny position and free-draining soil.  Cruise this afternoon to Runnymede.  Dinner on board

Wednesday - Runnymede to Windsor
Today we start with a visit and morning coffee at stunning Savill Gardens.  Savill Gardens cover 1,500 hectares in Windsor Great Park and are maintained by the Crown Estate and contain a diverse range of land uses.  Over 60% of the Great Park is open to the public and it is estimated that more than 3 million visits are made each year.  The Gardens Department is responsible for 600 hectares of the Great Park including the Savill Gardens.  There is also an optional visit to the nearby Wisley Gardens - 200 acres of botanic gardens, famous for their trials of new varieties.  Afternoon cruise to Windsor.  Dinner on board.

Thursday - Windsor to Cookham
An early morning start takes us to the Chelsea Flower Show, the most famous flower show in the world. Here nurseries, societies and charities create colour filled stands and amazing arrangements in a huge marquee outside the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. In addition to this there are wonderful and innovative display gardens, both traditional and contemporary, created by the brightest and best of Britain¹s garden designers. Months of work goes into these beautifully staged displays which only last a week. After this heady and colourful assault on your senses we return to Magna Carta for dinner on board.

Friday - Cookham to Henley on Thames
Here a beautiful new footbridge not only allows splendid views of the collect and river but takes you to Luxmore’s Garden, an island garden created by an Eton Housemaster in 1880.  There is also time to view the Provost’s and Fellow’s Gardens.   A morning cruise, which brings us to one of the most beautiful reaches on the river and our mooring at Cliveden Estate and Gardens.  This magnificent estate, former home of Lord and Lady Astor, boasts amazing views and incredible gardens.  First laid out in the 18th century they include a formal parterre, a wonderful water garden with a restored Pagoda made for the Paris Exhibition of 1867, a long garden with topiary and 18th century Venetian statues.  Truly stunning.  Dinner on board.

Saturday - Henley on Thames to London
Following breakfast, disembark at 10 am and return to London,

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

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