African Queen Thames River Cruises

    5 Day Cruise

    5 Day Cruises River Thames African Queen

    Our 5 day

    Quintessential Thames River Cruise
    brings you a unique combination of truly
    memorable experiences

    Meander along the river in comfort and style with everything
    done for you by our friendly and professional crew

    Thames River “5 day cruise” including an excursion to The Mill at Sonning Dinner Theatre and lunch at the exclusive Beetle and Wedge riverside restaurant.

    Full Board Price
    from £645.00 per person

    Make a Booking

    • Historic villages and country estates
    • Stately homes of the rich and famous
    • Tranquil countryside and wildlife
    • Entertaining Dinner Theatre
    • Fascinating locks and ancient bridges
    • Inviting Pubs and quaint markets
    • Cozy, comfortable cabins
    • Wonderful tales of the river
    • Socialising with other interesting people
    • Delicious authentic cuisine

    Itinerary

    Wednesday
    • Check in from 14:00. A ‘Welcome Safety Meeting’ by Andy the Skipper will follow.
    • At 15:00 the African Queen will set off up-stream to Goring on Thames, following ‘The Wind In The Willows Route’, arriving around 18:00.
    • Guests can go ashore & enjoy a ‘Sundowner’ at any one of the old historical pubs.
    • Return to the African Queen by 19:30, a three course ‘Cape Malay’ dinner will be served on board.

      The African Queen will spend the night in Goring.

    • End the day at the bar and be regaled by our captain,with stories of the river.
    Thursday
    • After breakfast the African Queen will continue her journey upstream to Wallingford where passengers go ashore to explore this little village famous for the filming of Midsummer Murders.
    • Once passengers are all on board the African Queen turns around and we make our way down stream to the Beatle Wedge riverside restaurant arriving around 13:30 where passengers can enjoy a two course lunch.
    • After lunch we continue our journey back to Mapledurham which includes cruising through three locks.
    • From 19:30 a light supper will be served on board where we spend the night.
    Friday
    • Friday morning starts with a hearty breakfast, followed by a walk through the old Village of Mapledurham and a visit to the late 18th centruy Chapel.
    • On returning to the boat we continue our journey downstream to Caversham to enjoy a two course lunch.
    • Once passengers are all on board we continue our journey to Sonning. Arriving around 16:00.
    • Excursion to the Mill at Sonning Dinner Theatre. (A list of plays for the year available.)
    Saturday
    • After a hearty breakfast the African Queen will cruise to Henley on Thames at 13:00, a two course lunch will be served on board and followed by a free afternoon to explore the beautiful town on Henley.
    • Saturday evening we serve a traditional South African Braai / BBQ on board follwed by the 'Saturday Night Quiz'.
    Sunday
    • After breakfast the African Queen will cruise upstream to Mapledurham arriving around 14:30.
    • A two course ‘Sunday Roast’ will be served on board while cruising
    • Check out by 15:00.

    Wednesday

    • Check in from 14:00. A ‘Welcome Safety Meeting’ by Andy the Skipper will follow.
    • At 15:00 the African Queen will set off up-stream to Goring on Thames, following ‘The Wind In The Willows Route’, arriving around 18:00.
    • Guests can go ashore & enjoy a ‘Sundowner’ at any one of the old historical pubs.
    • Return to the African Queen by 19:30, a three course ‘Cape Malay’ dinner will be served on board.
      The African Queen will spend the night in Goring.
    • End the day at the bar and be regaled by our captain, with stories of the river.

    Thursday

    • After breakfast the African Queen will continue her journey upstream to Wallingford where passengers go ashore to explore this little village famous for the filming of Midsummer Murders.
    • Once passengers are all on board the African Queen turns around and we make our way down stream to the Beetle Wedge riverside restaurant arriving around 13:30 where passengers can enjoy a two course lunch.
    • After lunch we continue our journey back to Mapledurham which includes cruising through three locks.
    • From 19:30 a light supper will be served on board where we spend the night.

    Friday

    • Friday morning starts with a hearty breakfast, followed by a walk through the old Village of Mapledurham and a visit to the late 18th century Chapel.
    • On returning to the boat we continue our journey downstream to Caversham to enjoy a two course lunch.
    • Once passengers are all on board we continue our journey to Sonning arriving around 16:00.
    • Excursion to the Mill at Sonning Dinner Theatre. (A list of plays for the year available.)

    Saturday

    • After a hearty breakfast the African Queen will cruise to Henley on Thames at 13:00, a two course lunch will be served on board and followed by a free afternoon to explore the beautiful town on Henley.
    • Saturday evening we serve a traditional South African Braai / BBQ on board followed by the 'Saturday Night Quiz'.

    Sunday

    • After breakfast the African Queen will cruise upstream to Mapledurham arriving around 14:30.
    • A two course ‘Sunday Roast’ will be served on board while cruising
    • Check out by 15:00.

    Menus

    Lunch Menu

    • Saturday – Smoked Salmon with Mustard & Dill Sauce or Cornish Pasty with Demi Glaze Gravy served with Green Cabbage
    • Friday – Dinner at the Theatre
    • Sunday – Stuffed Roast Chicken served with Roast Potatoes & Roast Vegetable

    Saturday Night BBQ

    Marinated Spareribs, Marinated Chicken Legs, Boerewors & Hamburgers served with Potato Salad, Green Salad,  Rice Salad , Banana Salad & Garlic Bread.

    Available Dates

    Dates From and To

    17 - 21 October 2018
    26 - 28 October 2018
    24 - 28 April 2019
    01 - 05 May 2019
    08 - 12 May 2019
    15 - 19 May 2019
    29 May - 02 June 2019
    05 - 09 June 2019
    12 - 16 June 2019
    19 - 23 June 2019
    26 - 30 June 2019
    03 - 07 July 2019

    17 - 21 July 2019
    24 - 28 July 2019
    31 July - 04 August 2019
    07 - 11 August 2019
    14 - 18 August 2019
    28 August - 01 September 2019
    04 - 08 September 2019
    11 - 15 September 2019
    18 - 22 September 2019
    02 - 06 October 2019
    09 - 13 October 2019
    16 - 20 October 2019

    Make a Booking

    Please contact Bonny Cowley
    Phone - 07774917389
    Email - africanqueen@btconnect.com. 

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    Testimonials

    Here's what people say about us

    • Great weekend – nothing quite like it!

      Seeing our great national river up close while others do all the hard work was well worth the price. You would be hard pushed to find such a combination of excellent food and under-stated seamanship anywhere else. All we had to do was relax and enjoy. Given our weather can be unpredictable the boat was well fitted for all possible circumstances and so was the bar – nice to see a classic paper spreadsheet in use 😉

      Roger C – Mattishall

    • Christmas on the African Queen!

      Last year my fiancee and myself went on the African Queen for Christmas. We enjoyed it so much that we had to take my family and friends there this year. The location it self is probably one of the most beautiful locations in England. Again the crew’s service was excellent, no request is to big for Andy and Bonnie. Their hospitality is also unmatched.
      All I can say about the food is that words can’t do it justice and it needs to be experienced!

      Renier P – UK

    • A weekend with a difference!

      If you are looking for peace, great food, then this is the place to be. Andy, Bonnie and Bobby do everything humanly possible to make their guests comfortable. Andy is the skipper, keeping many people amused with his anecdotes and experiences of life. Bonnie and Bobby keep their guests exceptionally well fed and comfortable.

      Everybody on our trip gelled (young and old) and on Saturday we had a wonderful evening celebrating a guest’s birthday. We sang, danced, laughed and had a thoroughly good time.

       

      W Spatriciab – Wellington

    • Have just returned from five days on board the boat hotel, African Queen.

      It was a most enjoyable, relaxing experience. Our expectations were exceeded when we received a phone call from Bonny, the co-owner of the vessel, to welcome us in advance and to check that if we had special dietary needs could be met. She also checked that we had any concerns prior to our departure. Shortly after boarding we were treated to home made scones with jam and cream and that was the start of interesting, quality meals which were cooked to perfection. Delicious!

       

      Ezanns – Lincoln

    • Spent several days aboard a 100ft Dutch Barge! Excellent food – Bonnie is a superb chef, ably assisted by Bobby. Wonderful atmosphere. Compact accommodation but exceedingly clean and very functional! and “user friendly”. Andy is an excellent mine host – tells very funny stories and has a really good sense of humour. Beautiful countryside. An experience to treasure and to repeat!

      Patrick M – South Africa