Magna Carta barge

MS Magna Carta is a luxury hotel barge, originally built in 1936 in Holland as a cargo vessel for dry bulk shipping (mainly sand) in Belgium. She was converted into a hotel barge in 2001, with the project designed and managed by Dominic Read. The UK-flagged vessel is currently owned by Dominic Read and Geoffrey Temple and is operated under charter by European Waterways.

The upper deck’s dining area is part of the saloon (bar lounge), featuring stylish furnishings and large picture windows. Amenities include a sundeck spa pool, underfloor heating, and modern en-suite bathrooms in each of the four staterooms (200 ft² / 19 m²). The vessel accommodates up to 8 passengers in 4 double cabins, while the separate crew quarters house 5 crew members (chef, two housekeepers/waiters, deckhand/tour guide, and Captain-Pilot).

Her fuel capacity is 3 tons, and water storage capacity is 10 tons.

Itineraries

Magna Carta operates 6-night / 7-day cruises along the Upper Thames River in England, including guided shore excursions and sightseeing tours. The standard Sunday-to-Saturday itinerary includes the following highlights:

• Day 1: London – embarkation at Hampton Court (4 pm), Champagne reception onboard, overnight mooring.
• Day 2: Hampton Court Palace tour, afternoon cruising through Molesey Lock, Sunbury, and Shepperton Lock (overnight mooring).
• Day 3: Departure from Shepperton, cruising to Windsor with onboard lunch, passing Chertsey, Penton Hook Marina, and Bell Weir Lock; afternoon excursion to Windsor Castle.
• Day 4: Excursion to Dorney Court, free time in Eton or Windsor, onboard lunch, cruising via Boveney Lock, Boulters Lock, and Cliveden (overnight mooring).
• Day 5: Visit to Cookham and Cliveden, onboard lunch, cruising through Bourne End and Marlow to Hurley (overnight mooring).
• Day 6: Tour of Peter Freebody’s traditional wooden boatyard, cruising to Remenham (mooring), onboard lunch, afternoon excursion to Oxford, Captain’s Farewell Dinner onboard.
• Day 7: Breakfast onboard, disembarkation at 9:30 am, transfer by bus to London Heathrow Airport.

The vessel also offers 3-night cruises (departing Sundays or Wednesdays) and is available for private charter with custom itineraries.

Note: See CruiseMapper’s list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the “itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub. All operators and their fleets are listed there.