England River Cruises 2023/2024

England Travel Guide

England River Cruises Things To Do

• 
  London

  It's always a good idea to visit London first when you are taking a classic England River cruise. Spending a few days in this historic and important city will complement your other river cruise activities. Some of the list of attractions to see include Big Ben, Buckingham Palace (home of the Queen), the Millennium Wheel, the British Museum, and the Tower of London.

  Best Time To Visit

  According to U.S. World Travel, the best time to tour London is from March through May, when the trees along the Thames begin to bloom, and the temperatures are milder. River cruise prices surge, along with the crowds, during the summer months.

   

  You Should Know

  London was the first city to feature an underground railway (the Tube). Dummy houses at 23 and 24 Leinster Gardens (Paddington) hide the Metropolitan tube line running below each "house." The Tube's track lies behind the "houses," which display painted-on windows. The most recognizable town on the River Thames is called Tower Bridge. People often mistakenly call the bridge London Bridge.
• 
  Hampton Court Palace

  A royal estate located in Richmond-upon-Thames, Hampton Court Palace sits 12 miles southwest of London on the River Thames. The building of the palace was begun by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in 1515, who was a close confidant of Henry VIII. All of Henry VIII's wives lived at the palace, which the cardinal built as a gift to himself for becoming cardinal. However, Henry VIII ended up seizing the palace for his own use.

  Best Time To Visit

  March to May is the best time of the year to go when crowds are not as great. If you stop in around lunch, you will be rewarded with quieter surroundings.

   

  You Should Know

  The heart and lungs of Henry VIII's wife, Jane Seymour, are kept inside a lead box, concealed behind an altar in Hampton Court. The Great Vine in the Hampton Court gardens is the oldest grape-producing vine in England. The hedge maze, also located in the Hampton Court gardens, is the oldest in Britain. Henry VIII participated in jousting and tennis at the estate.
• 
  Runnymeade and Runnymede-on-Thames Resort

  The borough and riverside setting of Runnymede is famous for its meadows, walking paths, and its Magna Carta memorial. Signed in 1215 by King John, the Magna Carta's creation set the standard for modern democracy. The meadow of Runnymeade sits adjacent to the River Thames, thereby making it a desirable location for a picnic.

  Best Time To Visit

  Weather professionals advise seeing Runnymede from May to early October for the best weather.

   

  You Should Know

  Three memorials are featured at Runnymede – the Magna Carta memorial, the JFK memorial, and the Royal Air Force memorial – commemorating the 20,000 airmen who were killed in World War II without a known grave. The Runnymede-on-Thames Hotel is an ideal place to enjoy lunch along the Thames or visit the resort's spa.
• 
  Windsor Castle

  England River cruises often feature an excursion to Windsor Castle. The estate, which was built in 1066 by William the Conqueror, has been home to the Royal Family for more than 900 years. It is the largest occupied castle in the world. River cruise-goers can explore the castle's state apartments, visit St. George's Chapel, and admire the paintings and sculptures.

  Best Time To Visit

  The best time to see Windsor Castle is early in the day (around 11:00 am) from May through October.

   

  You Should Know

    Windsor Castle contains 1,000+ rooms, which cover about 485,000 square feet. The grounds of the estate stretch over 13 acres. During the First World War, the Royal Family changed their last name to Windsor, thinking that Saxe-Coburg-Gotha sounded too German – a response to England's anti-German sentiment at the time. Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret lived at Windsor Castle during London's Blitz. A warning bell would ring if there was a threat of bombing, which alerted the girls to head to the dungeons. Rumor had it that Hitler would not bomb the castle, as he wanted to make it his home.
• 
  Cliveden Reach and Cliveden Estate

  Cliveden Reach is considered one of the prettiest areas to see when river cruising on the River Thames. Currently, the area features boating services for visitors from June to October. Self-hired vessels have electric motors to reduce pollution. In Victorian times, boating on this part of the Thames was highly popular. This section was also home to the wealthy Astors who not only enjoyed boating but also owned the Cliveden Estate. 

  Best Time To Visit

  The best time to see the attraction is from May to October.  

   

  You Should Know

  During the Victorian and Edwardian eras, Cliveden Reach had large amounts of river traffic – more than any lock up-river. One day in 1894, almost 1,000 small river vessels passed through the area. The wealthy Astors, who lived at Cliveden Estate, owned a variety of watercraft, including canoes, skiffs, whiffs, punts, and even an electric canoe.
• 
  Cookham

  A popular Thameside resort and village, Cookham features excellent inns and restaurants. The village was the home of English artist, Sir Stanley Spencer, who referred to Cookham as "heaven on earth." He featured the town in many of his paintings. 

  Best Time To Visit

  A pleasant time to see Cookham is during the shoulder season, or during April and May or September and October.

   

  You Should Know

  The restaurant and inn, Bel and the Dragon dates back to 1417 and is considered one of England's oldest licensed houses. While it has gone through a substantial restoration, the Church of the Holy Trinity still features sections of its Norman foundations. Many interesting memorials can be seen inside the church. The Swan Upping ceremony takes place in the third week of July in Cookham as well as other Thames locales. Mute swans are caught before being ringed and released.
• 
  Hurley

  Hurley is a parish featuring the hamlets of Cockpole Green, Knowl Hill, Warren Row, and Burchetts Green. It sits halfway between Oxford and London, or about 55 miles from each city. The river has always played a vital role in the village's livelihood and history. 

  Best Time To Visit

  The best time to see Hurley is when it's cooler and less crowded or from April through May or September through October.

   

  You Should Know

  A monastery was founded in Hurley by Geoffrey de Mandeville in 1086. While the monastery dissolved in the 16th century, remains of the monastic buildings can be seen woven into many of the local residences surrounding a green next to the church.The Olde Bell Inn, dating back to 1135, was once used as a monastic guest house. It is believed to be the oldest inn in England.The old church in Hurley is unique, as it does not feature a tower nor aisles.
• 
  Henley-on-Thames to Oxford

  The river cruise concludes, docking at the Henley Regatta Rowing course after traveling through Henley-on-Thames. An excursion to Oxford enables river cruise participants to tour Christ Church, which was founded by Cardinal Wolsey and, again, by King Henry VIII.

  Best Time To Visit

  Cooler times make a trip to Oxford more pleasant, such as early May or late September/early October. 

   

  You Should Know

  The lovely surroundings of Oxford are where Lewis Carroll penned Alice in Wonderland. The University of Oxford is over 922 years old, making it the second oldest university after the University of Bologna, which is 930 years old.

England River Cruise Packages

England River Cruises Frequently Asked Questions

• What Are England River Cruises?

  England river cruises might be defined as 7-day journeys that go from London to Oxford or more all-inclusive offerings that include other countries, such as Germany, France, and Switzerland. Generally, if your main wish is to see England and its countryside, you should choose England River cruises that stay within the country's borders. 

• What’s Included on England River Cruises?

  Most England river cruises feature all meals and some even include airfare in the total price. Some river cruise-goers charter a boat for their England river cruise holiday. Unlike ocean cruises, you normally will participate in an off-shore excursion each day of your river cruise adventure. Ocean cruises are different as some dates are sail days. 

• What’s the Best River Cruise for an England River Cruise?

  If you want to confine your England river cruise journey to England, you will find that it is best to choose a river cruise provider, such as European Waterways. Otherwise, if you want to see other countries, a good all-inclusive river cruise company is Viking. What you choose will be based on where you wish to travel, the length of the river cruise, the time you choose to go, and the price.

• How Much Do England River Cruises Cost?

  If you charter a river cruise, you can pay as much as $35,000 – indeed, a lot of money for this type of luxury. However, with that being said, most river cruises will cost you around $5,000 for a suite, or approximately $1,500 for a cabin for a shorter river cruise (around 7 days).