Oxford to Windsor (7 nights) Wednesday 18 October 2023

Welcome onboard the Wessex Rose Hotel Boat for a wonderful cruise from Oxford to Windsor on the Thames, a unique opportunity to experience the very best the river has to offer.

The Thames between Oxford and Windsor offers a wealth of stunning scenery, wildlife, historic buildings and impressive waterway architecture, with much to see and appreciate throughout the cruise. For the avid walker, the Thames Path follows the river along the length of our cruise, so cruisers wishing to experience part of the route from the shore can stretch their legs between stops without losing sight of the boat.

Leaving Oxford, we follow the river as it winds gently through scenic open countryside to the pleasant and historic town of Abingdon, reputedly the oldest town in the country with a rich collection of ancient buildings and well worth exploring. Continuing downstream, we cruise close to the small historic town of Dorchester which boasts an impressive Abbey dating from AD 635, and at the charming ancient market town of Wallingford, more recently famous for being the location of Causton in the TV series Midsomer Murders, the river passes under a magnificent 22 arch medieval bridge which connects the town to Crowmarsh Gifford on the opposite bank.

Heading south we cruise through the Goring Gap, recognised as one of the most beautiful stretches of the Thames and home to the charming village of Goring-on-Thames nestling on the river’s east bank, before continuing around the southern reaches of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the pleasant National Trust river meadows at Pangbourne.

Below Pangbourne we pass Mapledurham House at Purley, thought to have inspired E H Shepherd’s illustrations of Toad Hall, along with its 15th Century Watermill which is still working and producing flour. Cruising downstream along the outskirts of Caversham and Reading, we head towards Sonning, a pretty village which straddles the Thames with the help of an attractive 18th century bridge and has its own theatre housed in the former Sonning Mill on an island close to the lock. From here we follow the river through open countryside towards Henley, skirting Wargrave on the East bank and Shiplake with its splendid college building set into the hillside on the West.

Henley is a 12th century market town on the banks of the Thames most famed for its reputation for holding the world’s greatest rowing regatta, but it is also a charming town with over 300 buildings designated as being of special architectural or historical interest. Well worth a stroll to explore the town and perhaps visit the Henley River and Rowing Museum.

Leaving Henley and it’s attractive waterfront behind, we cruise the length of the Regatta course, where we are very likely to encounter crews of rowers from Henley’s numerous rowing clubs out training as we head for Hambledon Lock at the end of Henley reach. From here the river meanders gently through scenic open country, passing the splendid Medmenham Abbey near Hurley and the renowned Bisham Abbey as we approach the charming Georgian town of Marlow and its impressive suspension bridge over the Thames linking the counties of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

Below Marlow the channel twists and turns en route to Bourne End and Cookham Lock where we enter Cliveden Deep and cruise downstream to Maidenhead overlooked by Cliveden House high in the trees above the river. Maidenhead is a large town hugging the riverbank most popular with shoppers and diners. One of the town’s most famous features is Brunel’s Sounding Arch Bridge which carries the railway line over the Thames. When it was built, the bridge, featured in Turner’s painting ‘Rain, Steam and Speed’ was the widest flattest arch bridge in the world.

From here the river carries us through the village of Bray with its wealth of fine waterfront properties and Michelin starred restaurants and on past the Eton Dorney Olympic rowing lake and Windsor race course to our final destination at Windsor. Our stop here allows for ample opportunity to explore Windsor and Eton, including Windsor Castle, Windsor Great Park and Eton College to name but a few.

To book please select the required number of cabins below. Our three cabins are identical and can all be configured as either twin or double bedded rooms according to your preference.

Please refer to our terms and conditions before booking. If you have any questions or specific requirements please contact us.

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*Price based on 2 people sharing a twin/double cabin. Cabins booked for 1 person incur a single occupancy supplement of 50%.