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England

THAMES TALES – FOUR CRUISES AND A RIVER

12 September 2025

4 Days from just £499.00

Holiday Inn Reading South

The River Thames, the second longest river in the UK, has many stories to tell. In this two-centre short break we reveal many stories as we take four very different, but equally relaxing cruises. These cruises call at Oxford, Reading, Kew, central London and Greenwich.

Single Supplement £127


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Tours in this Itinerary

Departing

12 Sep, 2025

Duration

4

Price

£499

Hotel

Holiday Inn Reading South

Title

Thames Tales Four Cruises and a River


Itinerary

Day 1: Depart and The Oxford Round Trip Cruise

Morning departure from North Wales and travel to Oxford. To start our itinerary of cruises, enjoy a relaxing 40-minute circular cruise on the River Thames departing from Oxford. Spend some time at leisure before we continue to our hotel in Reading for a 2-night stay (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast).

Day 2: The Thames Valley Cruise

After a leisurely breakfast we take another cruise. This popular cruise will take you from Caversham Pier in Reading through twists and turns to Mapledurham Lock and Weir. Following the Thames upstream, you will see wildlife, open countryside, islands and look out towards the Berkshire Downs. The cruise will turn at Mapledurham Lock taking a panoramic view of the weir, before cruising back downstream past Mapledurham House back towards Reading. This is the river as it should be, tranquil and stunning in Wind in the Willows Country.

This afternoon we take a scenic drive following the river through Henley, Marlow, Cookham and Maidenhead.

Day 3: The Thames into London Cruise

After breakfast, we travel to the Kew area of London, spend some time at leisure before our next cruise. You begin your journey at Kew Village, an eighteenth-century English village complete with a village green, where cricket is still played to this day. Among the many sights and landmarks as we proceed along the river are: - Strand on the Green; where Oliver Cromwell planned his battle strategies, Mortlake and Chiswick; the bridge at Chiswick is the finishing line for the university boat race, The Royal Hospital Chelsea; Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and home to the Chelsea pensioners to name but a few, with the journey ending at Westminster Pier right beside the Houses of Parliament. You will then have a free afternoon in London before travelling to your hotel – The Crowne Plaza London Docklands for 1-night stay (Bed & Breakfast only).

Day 4: London to Greenwich Cruise and return home

This morning we take our final cruise, departing from Westminster with Big Ben behind you, you will travel East along the River Thames to Greenwich. Historical sites along the way will include St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tower of London and the Cutty Sark. Upon arrival in Greenwich there will be some free time before we depart at 2.00pm and make the return journey home.

Hotel

Holiday Inn Reading South ***
A smart, modern hotel near central Reading with top-of-the-line conference facilities, a bar, restaurant, and fitness centre. There is no lift, however the hotel has ample ground floor rooms.

Hotel

The Crowne Plaza London Docklands****
With a stylish restaurant and cocktail bar, Crowne Plaza London-Docklands features a modern leisure centre with views over Royal Victoria Dock. The 4-star hotel is a 10-minute drive from Canary Wharf.

The luxury bedrooms have Wi-Fi access and a large work desk. All rooms feature quality linens, air conditioning and a flat-screen TV with on-demand movies. Guests can enjoy Australasian inspired cuisine in the Fremantle Bar & Kitchen. The contemporary bar features chandeliers and lounge chairs, and offers a range of fine wines and imaginative cocktails.

The Quad Club and Spa has a fully equipped fitness centre and a modern fitness studios, along with an indoor swimming pool. Along with a hot tub, sauna, and a steam room, guests can relax with luxury spa treatments in one of the 3 modern treatment rooms.

Includes

  • 2 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at Holiday In Reading South
  • 1 Night Bed & Breakfast at Crowne Plaza London Docklands
  • Oxford Round Trip Cruise
  • Roundtrip Cruise Reading-Mapledurham
  • Kew to Westminster Pier Cruise
  • Westminster to Greenwich Cruise