The Thamesider
Holiday brief
New for 2008, and now for something completely different. Innovative Inside
Track planning is taking to the water for an unforgettable and unique (truly!)
tour of the upper Thames from Staines to Oxford. This new concept combines all
the treats and highlights of England
’s most famous river with “on shore” attractions and accommodation at two lovely hotels – on the Thames at Caversham Bridge and at a coaching house in Gerrards Cross.
The Round Tower, Windsor Castle
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Sunday – The holiday starts (and finishes) at Oxford Station about 14.00hrs, and we will
begin in true Inside Track style with a short journey to our
“local” railway, the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Steam Railway. A pleasant chug and
relax amid the Chiltern Hills, and then we meander down to Gerrards Cross for
our first evening at the Bull Hotel.
Monday – An easy start and a pleasant drive through the Chiltern Hundreds, then on via
Slough and Windsor to Staines, brings us to Salters Steamer quay. Here our
privately chartered boat will be waiting for our first voyage, from Staines to
Windsor. We take lunchtime refreshments and a browse here before enjoying
“branch line” rail travel from Slough to Marlow. The day is completed with a late afternoon
visit to the famous Bekonscot Model Village, just up the road from our hotel.
Tuesday – We join our boat back at Windsor to enjoy a lengthier cruise up stream to
Marlow (with photo stops en route). We will be hoping to enjoy
“steam” on the river at some stage today as well. Branch line fun from Marlow to
Henley, and then our coach transfers us directly to the Crowne Plaza Hotel,
riverside in Reading.
Wednesday – How’s this for something different? By coach this morning to the Living Rain Forest,
a new
“tropical” attraction between Reading and Newbury. From there, down to Newbury to enjoy an
excellent train journey, tracking the Kennet and Avon Canal, and then on via
Reading and Twyford back to Henley. Our Thames cruise today is from Henley back
to our hotel in Reading
– superb!
OUR HOTELS
For Sunday and Monday night we are at The Bull Hotel, Gerrards Cross. A well known coaching inn that features a carvery style
restaurant, relaxed bar and lounges and a lovely garden.
From Tuesday to Saturday morning, and, as we move upstream, so we move upmarket
to the
four star Crowne Plaza Hotel, Reading positioned on the banks of the River Thames, yet only 10 minutes walk
from the railway station and the town centre. This is without doubt one of the
finest hotels we stay in, in the UK, and you can indulge yourself further by
upgrading to executive rooms with river views
– see supplement below. You are assured of a quality stay whatever.
Thursday – A really relaxed morning, then we cruise from the hotel, upstream via
Pangbourne and Goring to Wallingford. At Wallingford we will visit the Cholsey
and Wallingford Railway before returning to Reading by train.
Friday – It’s just 10 miles by coach back up to Wallingford, where our trusty boat and crew
will be waiting for another leg of our cruise up as far as Abingdon. We will
lunch here and spend the rest of the afternoon at Didcot and Pendon, before
returning to Reading for our last evening together.
Saturday – Rest assured that the final cruise from Abingdon to Oxford will be a fitting
finale to a lovely week of messing around on boats upon the Thames. Homeward
bound journeys commence from Oxford Station about 14.00hrs.
Date & Price
Tour Ref: TS7/1
Sunday July 6th (7 days)
£869.00
Price Variation
Single supplement £25.00 per night
River view rooms at Crown Plaza £30.00 per night
River Thames
