Thistle, Thames Sailing Barge

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About

Sailing Barges ‘Thistle’ built in 1895 and ‘Hydrogen’ built 1906 were once part of the East Coast's traditional fleet of cargo vessels; two of over 2,000 barges then. Today only a handful survive. A gentle cruise on one of these vessels allows you to enjoy the beautiful and peaceful rivers of the East Coast in a memorable and interesting way. Join us for one of our public cruises or be part of a group booking, catering for up to 50 people.

We also offer weekend breaks for groups of up to 12 people. Escape your world and relax in ours! Or enjoy a banquet on a river onboard our fleet of historic Thames Barges for individuals and groups, including two-hour cruises, day sails, weekends away and static parties.

Two Island River Cruise - Join at Maldon Quay for a two hour cruise, past Northey Island to Osea Island before returning.

Orwell River Cruise - A three or four hour cruise from Ipswich to the mouth of the river and back.

Suffolk Rivers Cruise - A relaxing day sail exploring the Rivers Orwell and Stour

Sorry disabled access restricted - please contact us for further guidance.

Guide Prices

Private Hire - depends on location, duration etc - please ring office.
Public trips - full programme with prices on our website.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access

Booking & Payment Details

  • Credit cards accepted (with charge)

Catering

  • On-site catering
  • On-site light refreshments

Groups

  • Facilities for groups

Meeting, Conference & Wedding Facilities

  • Facilities for conferencing
  • Facilities for corporate hospitality
  • Wedding receptions

Parking

  • Parking with charge

Property Facilities

  • Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
  • Public toilets

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups
  • Coach parties accepted

Map & Directions

Topsail Charters

Type:Boat Trips

Cooks Barge Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Tel: 01621 857567

Awards

  • Visit EnglandVistEngland VAQAS Gold VistEngland VAQAS Gold 2018

Opening Times

* Available any day, any time.

What's Nearby

  1. For well over a thousand years, Hythe Quay has been the home to Maldon's maritime…

    0.06 miles away
  2. St. Mary's Church is known locally as the Fisherman's Church as its tower guides sailors…

    0.06 miles away
  3. Maldon Masjid – the Maldon District Islamic Cultural Association is set in a building…

    0.1 miles away
  1. The Promenade Park maze was built in the 1990s and is a simple hedge maze that children…

    0.11 miles away
  2. Maldon Mosaic, which can be found close the sandy play area at the western end of the…

    0.12 miles away
  3. The trademark Penny Farthing bicycle entices visitors to explore the treasures of this…

    0.14 miles away
  4. An area of grassland and trees which slopes gently down to saltmarsh at the edge of the…

    0.17 miles away
  5. The World War One Avenue of Remembrance at Promenade Park begins by the coach park and…

    0.21 miles away
  6. The Assumption of Our Lady Roman Catholic Church in Maldon was opened in 1925, replacing…

    0.22 miles away
  7. Maldon Methodist Church has a varied programme of worship and activities. The main Sunday…

    0.23 miles away
  8. Maldon's Elim Pentecostal Church is the home of the Maldon Food Pantry food bank as well…

    0.23 miles away
  9. The building in Wantz Road has been used by the Salvation Army for many years as our…

    0.26 miles away
  10. The Quaker Hall

    0.28 miles away
  11. The Twinning Link sculpture was placed in Promenade Park in 1991 to celebrate the 22nd…

    0.28 miles away
  12. We are a friendly bunch of people who take seriously our responsibility to seek first the…

    0.29 miles away
  13. Maldon’s Quaker Meeting House was built in 1821. It comprises two separate rooms;…

    0.29 miles away
Previous Next

Number of results:

Number of results: 583

, currently showing 21 to 40.

  1. Address

    Howe Green Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6QA

    Telephone

    01245 320426

    Purleigh

    A large, well equipped site in a lovely setting on the edge of the village. Car park, sports pavilion (available for private hire), cricket pitch, football pitch, two croquet lawns, enclosed children's play area and basketball hoop.

  2. Address

    57 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PF

    Telephone

    01621 731110

    Maldon

    Kate Lifestyle is a Maldon based beauty salon specialising in beauty, skincare, hair and nails. We offer a vast range of treatments including nail art, waxing, eyelash extensions and more. We provide top notch hair, beauty, nail art & gentlemen…

  3. Address

    River Blackwater, West Mersea

    Telephone

    07938 273739

    West Mersea

    Estuary Rib Tours is a family run business that provides boat trips starting from Mersea Island to enjoy the Blackwater Estuary, often stopping for lunch in Bradwell-on-Sea. The tours are on our 8m Cobra Rib, ‘Hi Fizz’, which carries up to 8 guests…

  4. Address

    Paper Mill Office, CM9 4RY

    Telephone

    01245 226245

    This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county town of Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. It is 13.8 miles (22.1 km) long and has 13 locks.

  5. Address

    Church Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AS

    Goldhanger

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 2.8 miles. Explore the charming village of Goldhanger where you can see remains from Iron Age, Saxon and Roman times, an 11th century church and a 100-year-old village pump. Along the seawall you will see a host of…

  6. Address

    East End Road/High Street, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PY

    Telephone

    01621 779620

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    Grade II Listed church dating from the 14th century, with the parish War Memorial inside and Commonwealth War Graves and a Roll of Honour memorial in its grounds. The church has a medieval timber porch, parish cage and peal of bells.

  7. Address

    Church Hill, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6RF

    Telephone

    01245 373686

    Woodham Walter

    This is a steeply sloping site with a relatively flat area at the top of the site. The elevated position allows good views over the village of Woodham Walter and beyond to the Chelmer Valley. A new children's playground has recently been built and…

  8. Address

    8-12 Edwards Wakj, High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PS

    Telephone

    01621 855 921

    Maldon

    Bespoke shoe repair service. All types of keys cut and guaranteed to fit. Watch batteries and straps fitted. We sell lots of different items, walking sticks, leather purses, leather wallets, luggage and bags, cuff links, padlocks, shoe laces and…

  9. Address

    38 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PN

    Telephone

    01621 856267

    Maldon

    Carlton Jewellers

  10. Address

    North Fambridge Station, Station Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6NP

    North Fambridge

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 10.2 miles. This is a long and challenging, linear walk along the scenic River Crouch, using the train service to return to the start. The views of the river and landscape are breathtaking and Butts Cliff is an…

  11. Address

    Southminster Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8QG

    Telephone

    01621 784898

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Extensive working railway museum including locomotives, carriages, wagons, historic buildings, memorabilia and a major collection of signalling equipment. Much of the collection is under cover. Train rides are available every open day.

  12. Address

    Park Drive, Maldon, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5UR

    Telephone

    01621 851898

    Maldon

    At Blackwater Leisure Centre there is a huge range of activities on offer, including swimming, a gym, and fitness and pool classes, including a well-equipped spinning /indoor cycling studio with a variety of spin classes.

  13. Address

    The Street, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6SA

    Woodham Walter

    This walk starts and finishes in the ancient and attractive village of Woodham Walter. The views across rural Essex are lovely. The terrain is varied, with arable fields, horse paddocks, a nature reserve and woodland.

  14. Address

    63D Brights Path, Maldon, CM9 5EP

    Telephone

    07976 365472

    Maldon

    Katie's Therapies offers a way to manage stress and tension, putting clients more in control, to promote their wellbeing through massage, reflexology, far infrared light therapy and Reiki. Katie's massages can be a way to manage stress. All are…

  15. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    One of the highlights of a walk around Promenade Park is to walk along the extension, which stretches out into the water (or the mud) and leads to a seating area at the end. There you can also see at close hand the statue of famous Saxon…

  16. Address

    62-66 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PN

    Telephone

    01621 854565

    Maldon

    Iceland is the frozen foods specialist with ideas for every meal. In addition to the wide range of frozen foods, the shop also stocks fresh vegetables, meat and dairy, and everyday essentials.

  17. Address

    Hockley Meadows, Hockley Lane, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7PZ

    Telephone

    01621 776074

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    Learn all about the history of gin, taste some beautiful examples and enjoy making a bottle to take home with your selection of botanicals. The Gin School masterclass is a 4-5 hour interactive, hands-on experience and includes a tasty lunch.

  18. Address

    Althorne, Essex, CM9 6DG

    Althorne

    A pleasant 5.02 mile circular walk around the village of Althorne. The walk includes a short stretch along the River Crouch before turning inland through the fields and over the railway line before arriving in Althorne.

  19. Address

    Maldon Road, Goldhanger, CM9 8BQ

    Telephone

    01621 788162

    Goldhanger

    Gardneners Farm stocks fresh free-range and rare breed meat reared on the farm, produce and food products including refill olive oils and vinegars, chutneys and sauces, cheese and eggs. Enjoy a hot pie or coffee and cake while you're there.

  20. Address

    Burnham-on-Crouch station, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8BQ

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 5.5 miles. This superb linear riverside walk starts from Burnham-on-Crouch railway station, taking you westward to Althorne where you can take a train to return.

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