Picnic Afloat on the River Thames
Posted on 19/04/10
Boating and summer picnics go hand in hand. Here’s how to put the two together for a stylish interlude on the broad and beautiful River Thames.
Placid waters and peaceful pastoral landscapes make the River Thames a magical source of refreshment and relaxation. To share its gentle, leisurely perspective on the world, hire a boat for an hour or longer, take a picnic and go with the flow.
The Beetle and Wedge Boathouse in Moulsford, near Goring, has an elegant wooden launch which seats up to 10 people. Enjoy a picnic afloat or just a cocktail before dinner. One hour boat hire costs £50; four hours cost £150. Hampers ordered 48 hours in advance cost from £15 per person and include cheeses, salads, gravalax, chutneys, baguettes, melon and strawberries. See www.beetleandwedge.co.uk or call 01491 651381.
Hire an electric motor launch from The Swan at Streatley for £20 an hour, £25 at weekends. They too can provide the perfect picnic hamper, ordered in advance. See www.swanatstreatley.co.uk or call 01491 651381.
The Complete Angler at Marlow has an Edwardian-style launch which seats six. It costs £85/95 for the first hour and £75/85 per additional hour. Picnic platters for up to four people consisting of poached salmon and asparagus, sandwiches, salads, scones, cheese and biscuits and strawberries and cream cost £36 and must be ordered 24 hours in advance. Smaller picnics are available for £25. See www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk or call 01628 484444.
Six-seater electric boats are available at the Runnymede Hotel & Spa, at Runnymede, costing from £35 – £55 an hour. Picnic boxes complete with tablecloth, napkins and cutlery cost circa £14.50 per person and must be ordered the day before. Menus offer a choice of sandwiches, salads, light snacks and drinks. See www.runnymedehotel.com or call 01784 220960.
When you’re packing your own picnic: the Hire a Boat section of the Visit Thames website will pinpoint all the places where you can hire a self-drive day boat by the hour, half day or day.
These examples will give you an idea of what it costs to get afloat:
Cotswold Boat Hire, based at The Trout Inn, Lechlade: rowing boats £15 for 1 hour, £40 for 3 hours; electric boats £25 for I hour, £60 for 3 hours; cabin cruisers £80 for 4 hours. See www.cotswoldboat.co.uk.
Oxford River Cruises, based at Port Meadow in Oxford: rowing boats £45 for 4 hours, £70 for 8 hours; punts £60 for 4 hours, £90 for 8 hours; electric motor boats £75 for 4 hours, £100 for 8 hours. www.oxfordrivercruises.com.
Kris Cruisers based in Datchet near Windsor: all-weather canopy electric boats £28 – £39 fo 1 hour, £95 – £133 for 4 hours. See www.kriscruisers.co.uk.
Hobbs of Henley, based in Henley town centre: rowing boats £15 – £20 for I hour, £50 – £60 for a day; launches £25 – £47 for 1 hour, £125 – £275 for a day. See www.hobbsofhenley.com.
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