Just mention London, England and the mighty River Thames automatically springs to mind (along with Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and other icons of course).
Over the centuries many thousands of battles took place along the banks of the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the River Severn. And such was the strategic importance of the river that around AD 870 the Vikings were sweeping up the Thames on the tide and creating havoc.
The following centuries saw many conflicts between kings and barons which come to a head in AD 1215 when King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta on an island in the Thames at Runnymede. Among a host of other things, this granted the barons the right of Navigation under Clause 23.
Image Credit: The Guardian
Today, our Luxury Hotel Barge cruise along the River Thames will commence at the former Tudor Palace of Henry VIII – the magnificent Hampton Court Palace, which is less than an hour from central London (traffic dependent).
From here we will meander along the prettiest stretches of The River Thames, past Royal Palaces, quaint riverside towns and villages – a captivating mixture of olde worlde England and the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.
Photo Credit: Reids England
And alongside the entire river runs the Thames Path, a National Route for walkers and cyclists so you have many opportunities to explore at your leisure.
So, whether you are relaxing in the hot tub onboard, riding a bicycle along the Thames Path or experiencing Windsor Castle, each day cruising and exploring one of the world’s most famous rivers will be a day to remember.
If you are starting or ending your Luxury Hotel Barge holiday experience in London, your exploration of the mighty Thames can be enhanced by visiting so many iconic options located on or near the river such as Tower Bridge, The London Eye, Southbank, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben – to name just a few.
If you would like to know more about how you can cruise the Royal River Thames click here: Cruise the Royal River Thames & Oxford – Unique Cruises
