LONDON & THE RIVER THAMES CRUISE
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” SAMUEL JOHNSON
“Serene yet strong, majestic yet sedate”, the Thames has for centuries borne witness to England’s rich history and that of its capital, London, one of the world’s great cities. Our voyage will trace a compelling story of politics, power and patronage.
We shall give special attention to Winston Churchill’s extraordinary life, with visits to his birthplace at Blenheim Palace, the Churchill Museum and the Cabinet War Rooms. We explore Havengore, the Port of London flagship which carried him on his last journey, and pay tribute to his final resting place at Bladon.
From magnificent Hampton Court to elegant Marble Hill, from royal Greenwich to imposing Tilbury Fort, our six day cruise will encompass some of the finest landmarks on the Thames. We will enjoy a luxury dinner cruise with Tower Bridge and the lights of London as our glittering backdrop and throughout there will be talks and interpretations by an accompanying historian. One evening we shall be joined by a special guest speaker such as journalist and author Martin Bell OBE or Christopher Andrew, authority and author on British Intelligence.
We begin our exploration of the Thames by venturing upstream. We will alight at Cliveden’s own jetty in order to view the famous house, designed in an Italianate style by Sir Charles Barry in 1851, and forever associated with the golden era of the Astor family and, more notoriously, with the Profumo Affair. Churchill was a guest between the wars, but so too were a number of pro-appeasements politicians such as Lord Halifax, who collectively became known as the Cliveden Set.
Only a short distance from the Thames lies Blenheim Palace, an extraordinary monumental house designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in an English Baroque style for John and Sarah Churchill, the first Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. Sir Winston Churchill’s earliest days were spent at Blenheim and it was to the ancestral home he returned to propose to Clementine Hozier, his future wife.
Returning to the Thames and the comforts of the Spirit of Chartwell we glide downstream, drawn inevitably, like so many before us, to the bright lights of the city. Mooring at Tower Bridge we explore Westminster, before sailing on to Canary Wharf, where the Dockland Museum traces the history of a once great port, from Roman settlement to post-industrial regeneration. There is no more appropriate place to arrive in London from the water than Greenwich. It is here that Viking raiders anchored their ships before harassing Ethelred the Unready and it is here, too, that the monarchs Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were born. The Queen’s House, built for Anne of Denmark, wife of King James I, by Inigo Jones, was a revolutionary building that introduced classical architecture to Britain. The majestic facade of neighbouring Greenwich Hospital, designed to a grand scheme by Sir Christopher Wren and completed by Sir John Vanbrugh, is testament to Britain’s great naval history.
At Tilbury, Good Queen Bess rallied her makeshift forces to defend England from the Spanish Armada. Construction of the current fort began in 1670 and the mighty bastion was charged with defence of London and the Thames, a role it maintained admirably until 1950, since when it has fallen under the care of English Heritage.
Thanks to the unique design of the Spirit of Chartwell we are able to continue our journey, as in times past, out to sea and back through the mouth of the Medway to the cathedral city of Rochester. There is perhaps no better place to end our voyage. From the Norman castle, built astride the London Road in 1127, to its thousand year history of military shipbuilding, the city has been of strategic importance to the defence and growth of London. On our overland return to Weybridge we make time to visit Chartwell, Churchill’s beloved family home.
The Spirit of Chartwell:
Spirit of Chartwell boasts the sumptuousness of a classic luxury yacht: teak decks, rich mahogany finishes and 20 luxury cabins.
Newly configured in 2009, she is the only cruise vessel capable of navigating both the upper courses of the Thames and the open sea. She has two lounges, open-air viewing areas and a unique third floor dining room, complete with an elevating roof, which serves first-class cuisine.
All cabins are outside facing with views. To explore the upper reaches of the Thames we will enjoy a day aboard Spirit of Chartwell’s sister ship, Lady Clementine, an elegant saloon launch.
This cruise will be led by Malcolm Oxley MA (Oxon) who is a talented art historian, a subject to which he brings a historian’s wider perspective. Malcolm was for many years deputy head of St Edward’s School, Oxford.
Prices:
Main Deck: £1190 per person (supplement for single occupation £390)
Superior Main Deck: £1290 per person (supplement for single occupation £470)
Top Deck: £1490 per person (supplement for single occupation £590)
Itinerary
Day 1Join Spirit of Chartwell, Weybridge 1600. Reception and introductory talk. Moor overnight Weybridge.
Day 2Excursion upstream on board Lady Clementine to Cliveden House (frequented by Churchill and infamously associated with the Profumo Affair). Later drive to Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Churchill, and Bladon, his final place of rest. Return to Spirit of Chartwell. Sail down river, passing Hampton Court. Moor overnight Kingston-upon-Thames.
Day 3Sail to Richmond for visit to Marble Hill House (elegant 18th century riverside villa). Continue to Westminster and leave for Westminster Abbey and Churchill Museum and War Cabinet Rooms, close to 10 Downing Street. Rejoin Spirit of Chartwell by Tower Bridge. Reception on board Havengore (the ship which took Churchill on his final journey) followed by illuminated London dinner cruise. Moor overnight Tower Bridge.
Day 4Sail to Canary Wharf for visit to the Dockland Museum (from Roman settlement to Docklands’ regeneration, this former sugar warehouse reveals the long history of London as a port through stories of trade, migration and commerce). Continue to Greenwich Maritime Museum (Maritime Galleries, the Royal Observatory, and the Queen’s House). Moor overnight Greenwich.
Day 5Early departure for Tilbury Fort in the Thames Estuary (Henry VIII built the first fort here, and Queen Elizabeth I famously rallied her army nearby to face the threat of the Spanish Armada). Continue along the Thames Estuary and then through the mouth of the Medway to Rochester (with famous castle built circa 1127 by archbishop of Canterbury). Farewell dinner. Moor overnight Rochester.
Day 6Return to Weybridge by coach via Chartwell House (home of Winston Churchill). Disperse Weybridge by 1700.
Cost includes: accommodation based in a twin or double bedded cabin, drinks reception, full board, excursions & admissions (except National Trust properties) and crew gratuities.
Not included: travel insurance, single cabin supplement.
