A number of canals and rivers run through the lovely South Eastern corner of England like life-giving arteries. The River Thames is Britain’s best-known river. It winds its way through countryside, historic towns and ancient villages in the same way it has wound its way through the history and heritage of England. It flows quietly for 180 miles but it doesn’t go by unnoticed or unused. Twelve million visitors each year come to savour the peaceful surroundings. There are stretches so quiet; the only sounds you’ll hear are the ones you make. Other stretches are livelier with people to meet and places to eat.
Hire a colourful narrow boat and really get away. Choose the River Wey or one of the many canals in the area; the Oxford, the Grand Union or the Kennet and Avon. This type of break is not about getting anywhere fast but about enjoying the journey as much as the destination. In the evenings, moor alongside a pub and end the day with a hearty meal. There are lots of other rivers in the South East, not all as big as the Thames. The River Medway rises in Sussex and flows for some 70 miles through deepest Kent. Away from the main canal system, it’s relatively unknown to boaters yet it is navigable for pleasure crafts as far as Tonbridge.
All of the operators below offer quality assessed boat accommodation:
Caversham Boat Service
Frys Island
Thameside
Reading
RG1 8DG
Tel: 0118 9574323
Rating: 2-3 Stars
Narrowboat Hotel Company
c/o Dorking Business Centre
51 South Street
Dorking
Guildford
RH4 2JX
Tel: 07836 600029
Rating: 4 Stars
Kris Cruisers
The Waterfront
Southlea Road
Datchet
SL3 9BU
Tel: 01753 543930
Website: www.kriscruisers.co.uk
Rating: 4-5 Stars
Kris Cruisers is a family run business with over 40 years experience in self drive hire. We operate 17 4 and 5 star Cabin Cruisers on the River Thames from Datchet, near Windsor. From Datchet in a weeks cruise you can explore the riverside towns such as Hampton Court, Windsor, Marlow, Henley, Oxford etc. You can also visit Thorpe Park, Lego Land, Beal Park etc.
Quality Assessed boats are also available at the site through Blake Boats at www.blakes.co.uk
Swancraft Boat Services
Benson Waterfront
Benson
OX10 6SL
Tel: 01481 836700
Rating: 3-5 Stars
The Wyvern Shipping Co Ltd
Rothschild Road
Linslade
Leighton Buzzard
LU7 2TF
Tel: 01525 372335
E-Mail: james@canalholidays.co.uk
Website: www.canalholidays.co.uk
Rating: 3-5 Stars
Based in Linslade on the beautiful Grand Union canal in the picturesque Ouzel valley we operate 4 to 8 berth self driving luxury narrow boats. Ideal for a weekend or midweek cruise to either the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne and the famous Blisworth tunnel or the Chiltern Hills and the Tring reservoirs. Two week cruises can include the river Thames, Warwick and Leicester rings. All boats inspected and graded 3, 4, or 5 stars.
Kari.uk
81 Shelley Close
Abingdon
Oxon
OX14 1PR
Tel: 0797 093 9725
Email: rich@kariuk.com
Website: www.kariuk.com
Rating: 3 Stars
Thames Path Walking Holidays, the better way to walk the Thames path, providing unique comfortable accommodation on the river Thames, between Lechlade and Teddington. There is fantastic convenience for walkers on the Thames path. For more information please visit www.thamespathwalkingholidays.com
Anglowelsh Boats
Boat Centre
Eynsham
Witney
Oxon
OX29 4DA
Tel: 01865 882 235
Rating: 3-4 Stars