Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for London
‘Thames Tales’ Four Cruises and a River
The River Thames, the second longest river in the UK, has many stories to tell. On this two-centre short break we reveal many stories as we take four very different, but equally relaxing cruises. These cruises call at Oxford, Reading, Kew, central London and Greenwich.
Dates
15th May, 26th June, 7th August, 18th September - all 2026
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Travel to your hotel
To start our itinerary of cruises, today we enjoy a relaxing 40 minute circular cruise on the River Thames departing from Oxford en-route to your hotel.
Day 2
The Thames Valley Cruise
This popular cruise will take you from Caversham Pier in Reading through twists and turns to Mapledurham Lock and Weir. Following the Thames upstream, you will see wildlife, open countryside, islands and look out towards the Berkshire Downs. The cruise will turn at Mapledurham Lock taking a panoramic view of the weir, before cruising back downstream past Mapledurham House back towards Reading. This is the river as it should be, tranquil and stunning in Wind in the Willows Country.
This afternoon we recommend taking a scenic drive following the river through Henley, Marlow, Cookham and Maidenhead.
Day 3
The Thames into London Cruise
This morning we travel to Kew for our 90-minute cruise to Westminster in the very heart of the capital. In the afternoon there’s free time to explore before we make our way to our London hotel. The evening is free for dinner, or we can arrange dinner at a riverside pub.
Day 4
London to Greenwich Cruise and return home
Our final cruise takes us on a 75-minute journey to Greenwich passing many of London’s best known sights including the London Eye, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, O2 arena and Canary Wharf. There’s free time in Greenwich: perhaps visit the Cutty Sark or the Royal Observatory. Our final ‘tale’ is a visit to the Thames Barrier Park with views of the impressive marvel of engineering that has been protecting central London from flooding since 1984.
Featured Hotels
Holiday Inn Reading South ****
Holiday Inn Reading South M4 Jct 11 offers air-conditioned rooms, just off junction 11 of the M4 motorway. It is 3.2 km south of Reading’s town centre, railway station and university. The hotel features a fully equipped fitness centre with flat-screen TVs. All of the air-conditioned en suite rooms offer free high-speed internet, LCD TVs, air-conditioning, ironing equipment and tea/coffee-making facilities.
DoubleTree by Hilton, London Docklands Riverside ****
Located along the River Thames, DoubleTree by Hilton London – Docklands Riverside offers 4-star accommodation and stunning views of Canary Wharf. Free WiFi is available, and free gym access is on offer to all guests. The hotel is located in a former 17th century Wharf Building that boasts exposed brickwork and London’s last dry dock for shipbuilding. Rooms are all en suite and each comes complete with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, opening windows, and tea/coffee making facilities. Most guest rooms boast a city or river view. 24-hour room service and all-hours reception is on offer.
The hotel offers a riverside restaurant, where breakfast is served and a bar.
The hotel offers its own complimentary river taxi for accessing Canary Wharf from its own pier.
We are pleased to offer a free room for the coach driver or group leader with a minimum of just 15 paying persons.
Further hotel details https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lonnddi-doubletree-london-docklands-riverside/
All below dates based on 2 nights Holiday Inn Reading South (Dinner, Bed & Breakfast) & 1 night at DoubleTree by Hilton, London Docklands Riverside (Bed & Breakfast)
Other dates are available on request.
Dates | 4 days / 3 nights |
15th May 2026 | From £282.00 per person |
26th June 2026 | From £282.00 per person |
7th August 2026 | From £282.00 per person |
18th September 2026 | From £282.00 per person |
Single room supplement £125 per date