Thames Circular Cruise The Thames cruise is probably the most


exciting and rewarding of all circuits incorporating every aspect of the Inland Waterways.


Wide locks up the Grand Union Canal and


long tunnels at Blisworth and Braunston. The narrow locks and meandering South Oxford Canal contrast with the width and grandeur of the River Thames.


Oxford Canal The canal rises up the hill at Napton with


views of the village and windmill before meandering 11 miles across the summit through Fenny Compton giving some breathtaking views of the Warwickshire countryside.


The canal passes right through the centre


of the picturesque market town of Banbury before following the Cherwell Valley down to the River Thames at Oxford.


The lift bridges, narrow locks and stone


walled villages will make it a journey to remember.


Lower Thames There are two ways of joining the Thames


from the Oxford Canal; either by the Duke’s Cut above King's Lock or at Isis near the city centre.


Oxford's historic buildings and the wide


river with its rowing clubs make a sharp contrast to the canal.


The locks are manned and shared with


river and seagoing craft, so sit back and enjoy travelling through the front garden of England and ending up at Windsor Castle and Hampton Court.


Stop at Hampton Court's own moorings to


visit the house and possibly lose the kids in the maze!


There is a short tidal section between


Teddington Lock and the Grand Union at Brentford which may only be navigated at high tide.


Upper Thames In three weeks the Upper Thames from


Oxford to Lechlade may be included. Here the river meanders to the extreme and on occasions boats are seen astern that you have not yet met.


Lechlade, set in the flood plane with its


high church steeple, is a rewarding sight and marks the upper limit of navigation to the Thames.


If time, the River Wey from Weybridge to


Godalming may be visited or a theatre evening at Oxford.


12 Lechlade Wallingford Cowlwy Cowley


Henley-on- Thames


Reading Weybridge Guildford Slough Windsor


Paddington Arm


Bull's Bridge


London


Kingston upon Thames


King's Lock Newbridge Abingdon Oxford Banbury Aynho Lower Heyford Linslade


Wendover Arm


Rickmansworth


Milton Keynes Fenny Stratford


Leighton Buzzard


Marsworth Berkhampstead


Hemel Hempstead


Watford


Little Venice


Regents Fenny Compton Rugby Braunston Napton Norton Weedon Gayton Stoke Bruerne


Thames Licence The River Thames is controlled by the


Environment Agency and therefore the British Waterways Licence is not valid. A fifteen day licence for the River Thames can be obtained at both Oxford and Teddington.


Tidal Thames The Thames is tidal below Teddington. The


Grand Union Canal is entered at Brentford. Our boats are not allowed to cruise through the centre of London between Brentford and Limehouse.


Hours Cruising. Total for Thames circle: 110 hours. Banbury and return: 35 hours each way. Oxford and return: 45 hours each way. Oxford to Lechlade and return to Oxford: 24 hours.


This cruise takes a minimum of two weeks - to make time for sight-seeing we recommend an extra 3 or 4 days.


Northampton


Grand Union


Sth. Oxford


Thames


Thames


C H I L T E R N Kennet


H I L L S


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