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

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

    0.22 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. Maldon’s Quaker Meeting House was built in 1821. It comprises two separate rooms;…

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

    0.29 miles away
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Number of results:

Number of results: 583

, currently showing 181 to 200.

  1. Address

    Heybridge Cemetery, Goldhanger Road, Heybridge, CM9 4QR

    Heybridge

    Heybridge War Memorial is a Grade II Listed memorial made from creamy Portland limestone and stands just inside the gates to the cemetery. Approximately 3m high, it is in the form of a cross with a stone relief sword on the front and an octagonal…

  2. Address

    Spital Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6EA

    Telephone

    01621 857373

    Maldon

    Remains of an ancient Leper Hospital said to have been founded in 1164 by Henry II.

  3. Address

    Little Baddow Road, Woodham Walter, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6RU

    Telephone

    01245 222648

    Maldon

    Bunsay Golf Club and Badger par 3 course are courses that offer a delightful oasis of calm and total privacy surrounded by natural streams, the courses are protected from modern day interruptions.

  4. Address

    Church Road, Great Totham, Essex, CM9 8NP

    Great Totham

    Arguably one of the most idilic settings in the district, this beautiful Grade II listed chuch sits a short walk from Great Totham, next to the site of Great Totham Hall. The grounds are intersected by several footpaths giving access to South Wood,…

  5. Address

    Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LE

    Maldon

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 4.9 miles. This beautiful walk takes in a varied section of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, as it meanders through Heybridge, passing industrial areas and then emerging into the countryside

  6. Address

    Hackman's Lane, Purleigh, CM3 6RN

    Telephone

    01245 329358

    Purleigh

    Every Friday. Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is opening up its peaceful wildlife walk for well-behaved dogs and their owners every Friday. There is free entry to the walk and visitors and their four-legged friends are welcome to buy lunch or other…

  7. Address

    7 King Georges Place, High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BZ

    Telephone

    01621 851327

    Maldon

    Colin Bliss Models has been established for over 40 years, and is a family run business with over 100 years’ experience in the model world. The model shop specialises in remote control models, including drones, aeroplanes, helicopters, diggers and…

  8. Address

    Tinnocks Lane, St Lawrence, Essex, CM0 7NF

    Telephone

    01621 779344

    St Lawrence

    Sailing Club on the south side of the Blackwater River offering full dinghy racing programme and cruiser sailing with full social activities plus canoeing.

  9. Address

    90-94 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621 852241

    Maldon

    Townrow

  10. Address

    Carmelite House, White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5FW

    Telephone

    0345 603 7628

    Maldon

    Tuesdays and Fridays. Free your child’s imagination with songs and stories, give their early communication skills a boost and have fun together! No need to book, just come along and join in the rhyme time fun.

  11. Address

    15 Spital Road, Maldon, CM9 6DY

    Telephone

    07553 209706

    Maldon

    The Tolleyshop is a friendly off-licence and convenience store stocking a wide range of wine, beer and spirits, along with milk and groceries.

  12. Address

    103 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HQ

    Telephone

    0345 603 7628

    Burnham

    Tuesdays. Baby & Toddler Rhymetime is designed for the under fives. Free your child’s imagination with songs and stories, give their early communication skills a boost and have fun together! No need to book, just come along and join in.

  13. Address

    Burnham Road, Latchingdon, Essex, CM3 6EX

    Telephone

    01621 742051

    Latchingdon

    An all-year-round Indoor Bowls Facility, with cafe, bar and the Golding Room for Weddings, Christenings, Birthday Parties, Wakes and other celebrations.

  14. 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.

  15. Address

    West Field car park, North Street, Tillingham, CM0 7TP

    Tillingham

    2.73 miles. This gentle walk lets you explore Tillingham, with its pretty village green lined with weatherboarded cottages, and the wide-open expanses of the surrounding Dengie farmland. There's a historic church to investigate, and two historic…

  16. Address

    1a High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PB

    Telephone

    01621 927644

    Maldon

    Selling gifts, homeware personalisation and accessories in Maldon High Street. Creating an emporium of gifts. Making anything that one's heart desires. Gifts and homewares with a boho, scandinavian, rustic and contemporary feel.

    Specialising in…

  17. Address

    Upper Plume school artificial pitch, Fambridge Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6AB

    Telephone

    01621854477

    Maldon

    A brand-new project on the back of the success that the Lionesses' achieved during 2022.

    The sessions are run by Simon and Ben from Maldon District Council's community health and wellbeing team and is open to women aged 18+ and costs just £1 per…

  18. Address

    40 White Horse Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5QP

    Telephone

    01621 855113

    Maldon

    Mens (Hair)

  19. Address

    Junction of Beacon Hill and Kelvedon Road, Wickham Bishops, CM8 3HW

    Wickham Bishops

    Great Braxted, Little Braxted and Wickham Bishops war memorial is a Grade II listed stone memorial with a tall, hexagonal pillar topped with an orb and cross, standing on a three-step hexagonal plinth. The memorial was given to the area by Mr and…

  20. Address

    Upper Plume school artificial pitch, Fambridge Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6AB

    Telephone

    01621854477

    Maldon

    Run by Simon and Ben from our community health and wellbeing team, Just Play Football is open to people aged 18-65 and is free to attend.

    Each session aims to get people who want to play football, but don't have the time or opportunity to play…

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