Boating Holidays - The fastest way to slow down
Enjoy a change of pace and perspective as you explore the ancient River Wey and the royal River Thames.
Your comfortable narrow boat "holiday home" transports you gently through some of the finest countryside
in the South of England, with plenty of places to stop along the way.
Towns and villages punctuate the quiet waterways, offering shops, pubs and restaurants. On the Thames you are within easy reach of major historic attractions including Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle and the Magna Carta Memorial at Runnymede. Livelier and younger tastes are catered for by the theme park Thorpe Park near Chertsey and Legoland at Windsor. Near Pyrford, on the River Wey, is the award winning showpiece of English horticulture, the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens at Wisley.
A two-week trip means that you can expect to visit the historic university city of Oxford, famous for its architecture and centuries-old academic traditions.
Nature lovers on the River Wey and the Thames are treated to an impressive variety of wild life, from coots and cormorants, to waterborne creatures of all kinds. Tree-lined valleys contrast with wide open spaces and picturesque villages, giving you a constantly changing view.
Boating Holidays - Routes & Itineraries
Please remember that the following are estimates of viable cruises - how far you get will depend on many factors, including the agility and keenness of your crew; how many other boats are out on the river; weather and daylight hours and how often "Murphy's Law" applies to the locks, which can conspire to be closed against you when you need them to be with you! Please also remember that lock stoppages (either scheduled or unscheduled) can also affect your journey.
Three or Four Night Short Break: Enjoy most or all of the nearly twenty mile River Wey Navigation (in both directions of course, as we prefer you to bring the boat back......) from Godalming at the southern end to Weybridge at the northern end, where the Wey meets the Thames, passing towns and villages including Godalming and Guildford, Send, Ripley and Weybridge.
One Week: As above, plus time on the Thames, taking you upstream to Windsor and downstream to Hampton Court.
Otherwise, you might be able to go even further upstream to Maidenhead and return.
Ten or Eleven Nights: River Wey and upstream on the River Thames to
Henley-on-Thames (home of the Royal Regatta) and return, with
an excursion to Hampton Court if you have done really well.
Two Weeks: Rivers Wey and Thames to Oxford and return, or an energetic cruise to Reading and along the Kennet & Avon Canal (additional licence required) to Newbury and return.
Three Weeks: River Wey then River Thames to Lechlade, passing Oxford, and return. Or (for the most experienced crews and with additional licences required, by arrangement with us) the Thames Ring: River Wey, River Thames, Oxford Canal, Grand Union Canal, a short stint on the Thames Tideway and back onto the River Wey.
Start looking forward to slowing down with
Guildford Boat House.
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