The "Other" Royal River Explorer

This day on and by the River Thames in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is aimed at well travelled groups. It avoids the obvious and concentrates on the interesting. Not the stately home at Dorney then but the arboretum and London Olympic rowing lake. Not Windsor but its fascinating neighbour Eton and not downriver to the flat meadows of Runnymede but upriver past the sumptuous homes of the stars and a true Hammer House of Horrors!

We begin at Dorney village in the café in the old kitchen garden of the manor house to purchase morning refreshments at 10.30am. When possible we will show you neighbouring Dorney Lake, a modern world-class rowing and flat-water canoeing centre, built and owned by Eton College. Set in 450 acres of parkland this is the venue for the Rowing and Kayak events in the 2012 London Olympic Games. A short drive takes us to Eton to step down outside the most famous school in the world and explore the historic High Street leading to the River Thames where we break for lunch. You can stay on the Eton side, choose a riverside pub or cross the bridge to Windsor; it is entirely up to you.

After lunch we depart from the pier by the bridge for a cruise lasting one and three quarter hours. We set off past the only island racecourse in the UK and then sit back to enjoy some beautiful scenery. You’ll hear about the turncoat Vicar of Bray and see the beautiful riverside homes of the stars. A striking gothic mansion housed the French government in exile later becoming the film location for many Hammer House of Horror and St. Trinians films. Edwardian Maidenhead had a risqué reputation where fashionable London motored to let their hair down. Marvel at Brunel’s famous Sounding Arch immortalised in JMW Turner’s painting Rain, Steam and Speed. There’s a bar on board serving teas and coffees or a nice glass of wine or a gin and tonic for a sunny summer afternoon

We arrive at Boulters Lock Pier at 4-00pm and having had a cuppa on board this is a day where you can steal a march on the traffic and head home well ahead of the rush hour.  

Minimal walking on this day making it ideal for groups of mixed walking ability

Available every day from April until the end of September

Adults & Seniors: £18.95
Price valid 1st April 2012 to 31st March 2013

Coach Mileage:

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