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: 580

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Address

    8 Devonshire Road, Burnham, CM0 8BH

    Burnham

    Independent, family-run grocery, hardware and novelty goods store, offering a wide range of products at discount prices. From plants to cards, sweets to socks, you never know what you will find!

  2. Address

    Madison Heights, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    01621 850222

    Maldon

    In 2012 Madison Heights became home to Sk8ters Roller Rink. Maldon's only full size indoor roller rink, with music and lighting. Fully air conditioned and great for all year fun times.

  3. Address

    St Lawrence Road, Tillingham, CM0 7SB

    Telephone

    01621 779507

    Tillingham

    West Hyde is famous for its Christmas trees, but its Christmas shop also sells everything you need to decorate not only your tree but your whole house. With everything from wreaths to baubles, lights to inflatables.

  4. Address

    Sawyers Road, Little Totham, Maldon, CM9 8JP

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Little Totham

    This site has a small car park and is also accessible on foot from School Road. It is managed for informal recreation and a number of events are organised by the local community throughout the year.

  5. Address

    Maldon District Council, Princes Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6AB

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Maldon

    The Plume Academy AGP is managed in partnership between Plume Academy and Maldon District Council. The pitch hosts Academy and community usage weekdays and weekends. On site parking via Academy car park.

  6. Address

    Bentalls Shopping Centre, Colchester Road, Heybridge, CM9 4GD

    Telephone

    01621 879674

    Heybridge

    Farleigh Hospice's charity shop in Heybridge has a beautiful selection of high-quality items, including china and glass, clothing and accessories, books and games. Donations by appointment only.

  7. Address

    Maldon Road junction with Braxted Park Road, Great Braxted, CO5 0QA

    Telephone

    01621 816464

    Great Braxted

    Family run farm shopping selling a wide range of fruit and vegetables, mainly grown in the surrounding area, including a seasonal range of locally grown apples. You will also find preserves, local honey, fresh flowers, speciality cheeses, breads and…

  8. Address

    Mountains Road, Great Totham, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8BY

    Telephone

    01621 891215

    Maldon

    Mixed working farm that grows soft fruits and cereals and keeps livestock, including Christmas turkeys, with traditional "pick your own" available from around mid-June to mid-July, depending on the weather. Strawberries and raspberries are available…

  9. Address

    80 Station Rd, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HF

    Telephone

    +441621783811

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Burnham Footcare is run by Jacqui Saddington, Chiropodist, M.Inst.Chp, HCPC-registered.

  10. Address

    Park Lane, Tolleshunt Knights, Essex, CM9 8HB

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Tolleshunt Knights

    This Essex Wildlife Trust site consists of two flower-rich meadows surrounded by dense, mature hedgerows and is renowned for the annual display of large numbers of green winged orchids and adders tongue fern.

  11. Address

    17 Edwards Walk, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PS

    Telephone

    01621 851863

    Maldon

    Aesthetics

  12. Address

    East Hall Farm, East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PN

    Telephone

    01621 776564

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    Othona Community is an open and inclusive Christian Community offering a choice of themed activities and courses throughout the year, including survival skills, wellbeing and art.

  13. Address

    Abbey Turning, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LL

    Telephone

    0345 603 7624

    Maldon

    By appointment. Beeleigh mill was a large flour mill on the river Chelmer near Maldon, Essex. It had two water wheels driving 10 stones (later 12), to which was added a separate building which housed a steam-powered beam engine driving five…

  14. Address

    Chelmsford Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6PN

    Telephone

    01621 828343

    Purleigh

    New Hall Vineyard is an English Wine Producer with around 50 hectares of vines and is one of the oldest and largest in the country. Wine tasting and purchasing is available in the shop and a self-guided walk is open to explore the vines. Regular…

  15. Address

    Maldon Activity Centre, Carmelite Way, Maldon, CM9 5GF

    Telephone

    01621 851891

    Maldon

    The Community Gaming Initiative (CGI) is a project to use gaming as a social tool to bring young people together to socialise and develop skills.

  16. Address

    50a High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PN

    Telephone

    01621 859808

    Maldon

    Barnardo's shops are a great place for the community to donate their unwanted items as well as shop for quality goods at fantastic value.

  17. Address

    Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

    Telephone

    01621 856503

    Maldon

    For well over a thousand years Hythe Quay has been the home to Maldon's maritime community and the gateway to Maldon for vessels arriving from the sea. From the award winning Promenade Park to the pubs, restaurants and shops of Maldon High Street,…

  18. Address

    Woodham Walter, CM9 6RF

    Woodham Walter

    War memorials in the village of Woodham Walter include a Memorial Shelter, a Memorial Garden and a Memorial Clock on the parish church. The churchyard also contains two Commonwealth War Graves.

  19. Address

    Woodstock Farm, St Stephens Road, Cold Norton, CM3 6NP

    Telephone

    07534 228961

    Cold Norton

    Woodstock Farm is a working farm that also offers farm experience days, a petting farm and children's parties and events. At Woodstock Petting Farm, children can cuddle small animals, feed the larger animals and meet and groom the ponies.

  20. Address

    Steeple, Essex, CM0 7JY

    Steeple

    This attractive walk branches off St Peter’s Way, the long distance footpath, at the village of Steeple. It heads north to the Blackwater Estuary and follows the seawall anti-clockwise until it returns to the village.

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