The Thames and Kennet & Avon Canal
FAMILY FAVOURITES
Thames Rivercruise trips start with 30 mins afternoon journeys from Caversham, so are ideal for those seeking a short outing or first journey on the Thames to watch the ducks and swans, with views of the Berkshire Downs in the distance. The trips run daily during the school holidays, £6.50 adults. Their 45 mins Thames Experience takes you from Reading along The Warren, with island spotting and lots of birdlife, £7.50 adults. On 5 August Thames Rivercruise have a hop-on-hop-off trip from Caversham with stops at Mapledurham Lock, Beale Park Wildlife Park and Goring. Upper Thames public cruises with French Brothers include round trips taking in Windsor, Runnymede, Maidenhead, Staines, Chertsey and Hampton Court for family days out. Salters have family deals on many of their services operating along the Thames in Berkshire and Bucks, including some where a child’s free ticket is provided when two adults buy returns. This includes the Reading to Henley route. Their 40 mins return trips towards Mapledurham from Reading run at 1.45pm on Tuesday to Thursday until 23 August, adult £7.50, child £4, children under three go free. As well as their seven days a week hour-long trips, Hobbs of Henley also offer wildlife cruises on Tuesday afternoons throughout August, £10.
EVENING OUT
Hobbs of Henley have a Gin & Jazz event on board the flagship vessel The New Orleans on 3 August with singer/songwriter Purdy and her band, £47.50. The New Orleans also hosts monthly Sunday afternoon traditional jazz cruises. Watch the sun go down on Saturdays, 11 August and 1 September during a two hour cruise from Caversham Pier towards Mapledurham with Thames Rivercruise, £12.50 adult and £9.50 under 16.
SEEING STARS
We can’t guarantee any of our local celebrities will be wandering the grounds of their riverside homes, but French Brothers offer late morning trips from Maidenhead to Windsor, passing some splendid properties along the way through Boveney and Bray. Spend the day in Windsor and take the return boat at 5.15pm. Adult £21.50 return (£20.40 online). Similarly, Salters Steamers Reading to Henley trips not only pass through some very pretty villages but some opulent homes in Wargrave and as you get close to the market town. The service calls at Sonning and Shiplake, £19.80 return adult. Salters’ Marlow to Henley service, calling at Hurley and Hambleden, also offers sights of magnificent homes as well as historic Bisham and Medmenham Abbey.
A TASTE OF LUXURY
Cliveden offers daily champagne cruises on the Thames, departing for 45 mins at 5pm and 6pm. There is some beautiful scenery to view along Cliveden Reach, plus you can do it all while sipping a glass of bubbly, £55 per person.
CANAL CELEBRATIONS
The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust run highly recommended trips from Newbury and Hungerford. In summer The Jubilee, a traditional narrowboat, sets off from Newbury on Saturdays and Sundays at noon and 2pm and on Thursdays at 2.30pm. Tea, coffee and light refreshments are available, as well as a licensed bar. Adults £6, with offers for seniors, children and family tickets. The Jubilee also doubles as a Pirate Galleon on Wednesdays during the school holidays, £6 adult, £5 seniors, £5 children aged two to 15. The Rose of Hungerford has trips from the Wharf, with trips lasting from around an hour up to two and half hours, taking in Dun Mill and Wire Locks.Prices £7-8 adults, depending on trip length, with concessions for seniors, children and family deals. The Rose has a Cream Tea Cruise on Bank Holiday Monday, 27 August, £11.50 adults, £1 off for seniors, children £9, under-threes travel free.
sources: Berkshire Life, August 2018
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