Thames Cruise

You board the African Queen at 2pm in the small village of Mapledurham near Reading. We are introduced to the captain and crew before setting sail through the heart of Wind in the Willows country to reach the pretty village of Goring-on-Thames. Enjoy some free time ashore followed by Cape Malay, a traditional South African dish served this evening.

After breakfast we continue sailing upstream, passing beautiful countryside to reach the market town of Wallingford, former home of Agatha Christie and regular TV location of Mid Summer Murders. Here we have some time to step ashore and explore this historical town, meeting up at Avanti Italian Restaurant at 1:00pm for an included two course lunch. We return to the African Queen for the journey downstream to Mapledurham where we spend the night and enjoy a three-course supper onboard.  

Today we sail downstream to Caversham for some free time ashore at this historic town. We enjoy lunch onboard the African Queen and continue sailing to Sonning, a picturesque village described by English writer of Three Men in a Boat, Jerome K. Jerome, as ‘the most fairy-like nook on the whole river’. This evening we have dinner at the Mill at Sonning Dinner Theatre, the only dinner theatre in the UK which was also the inspiration for Toad Hall in The Wind in the Willows, before watching a wonderful performance in this beautiful 18th Century watermill.

This morning we continue downstream to Henley-on-Thames, recognised around the world for its annual royal regatta. The historic town is only few strides from the Thames and is filled with beautiful buildings. You can explore the town, walk along the Thames path, visit the River and Rowing Museum and see the statues of Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent, or enjoy a 3D exhibition dedicated to Kenneth Grahame’s novel The Wind in the Willows (entrances not included). A barbecue is served back onboard followed by an entertaining quiz night.

We enjoy a final morning cruising back to Mapledurham where a delicious roast dinner is served onboard before disembarking at 3pm.