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. 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 41 to 60.

  1. Address

    Church Lane, Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SL

    Stow Maries

    The parish church of St Mary and St Margaret is Grade II* Listed. The church chancel was built in the 14th century and the nave in the 15th century. The churchyard has five Commonwealth War Graves.

  2. Address

    62 Station Road, Burnham, CM0 8HF

    Telephone

    07872 168780

    Burnham

    Dog Grooming Salon based in Burnham-on-Crouch using 100% natural and vegan products. Garden for free-roaming during their stay.One on one upon request! We offer teeth cleaning and use natural healing products and remedies. We do not use cages.

  3. Address

    Little Braxted Lane, Little Braxted, Essex, CM8 3EU

    Little Braxted

    St. Nicholas in Little Braxted is one of the smallest churches in Essex and was built in the early 12th century. It is richly and beautifully decorated throughout.

  4. Address

    Brights Path, 63 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5EP

    Telephone

    01621 927631

    Maldon

    Established in 2016, The Vape Hut is a family owned and run shop specialising in all things vaping. Our mission is simple, to create an environment for everyone to come and talk to us on a one to one basis so that they may come away with the right…

  5. Address

    Burnham Library, 103 Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HQ

    Telephone

    0345 603 7628

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Come along to our Block Builders Construction Club and use your imagination to get creative.
    All work will be on display until the following session. Free event no need to book.

  6. Address

    Fambridge Yacht Haven, Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LU

    Telephone

    07950 435939

    North Fambridge

    Fambridge Lake is a peaceful spot for wildlife watching and duck feeding, with a lakeside decking and picnic area.

  7. Address

    The Square, Church Street, Tollesbury, CM9 8QJ

    Tollesbury

    Tollesbury's little prison was opened in 1700 and was in operation for around a century as a holding cell for accused prisoners and as a lock-up for drunken locals. Sometimes called The Cage, the tiny building can be found by the churchyard wall of…

  8. Address

    H Wenlock Way, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5AD

    Telephone

    01621 928075

    Maldon

    We are a small family run business based in Maldon, Essex. We first opened our doors in 2016 in a cabin in a little shopping village. We quickly grew and shortly later we moved to Maldon where we still are!

    Our aim is to provide beautiful clothing,…

  9. Address

    St Barnabas Family Centre, Imperial Avenue, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6AH

    Telephone

    01621 741770

    Mayland

    Maylands Baptist Church is a small, friendly fellowship enjoying a relaxed, informal style of worship. With no regular Pastor, the congregation enjoys a variety of preachers and speakers from many Christian sources and organisations. These often…

  10. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Maldon

    Millenium Wood is an extension of Promenade Park & is a wildlife area consisting of woodland plantation, scrub & rough grassland.

  11. Address

    Unit 2 Wycke Hill Business Park, Maldon, CM9 6UZ

    Telephone

    01245 933779

    Maldon

    Why not save money, save the planet and help a vital local charity by choosing to buy pre-loved wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses and occasion wear? Set on the top floor of Farleigh Hospice's second charity warehouse, this boutique is a world away…

  12. Address

    Northey Cottage, Northey Island, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6PP

    Maldon

    Northey is an island in the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, connected to the mainland by a causeway that is covered by the tide twice every day. It is a Site of special scientific interest with a large area of undisturbed Saltmarsh. It is also the site…

  13. Address

    On the Latch, Burnham Road, Latchingdon, CM3 6BL

    Telephone

    07930 243225

    Latchingdon

    Dengie Petting Zoo is run by J&C Party Pets, owners of Maldon Promenade Zoo. This smaller venue, in the grounds of On The Latch restaurant, has around 20 species of animals, most of which are rescued. The playful meerkats are a particular favourite…

  14. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 879552

    Maldon

    Funky Shack is a games and toys collectables and gift shop featuring Funko pops, Warhammer, Anime, Pokemon, Plushies, Star Wars,Tech Deck, Harry Potter, Stranger Things, Squishmallows, Ty Beanies, Disney, Marvel and more.

  15. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 776074

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    A new craft gin distillery in Bradwell-on-Sea is creating fine gins with a selection of the best botanicals, including juniper berries from Italy and angelica root, lemon, orange and rose petals. On The Wall Distillery is home to the N653 gin with…

  16. Address

    8A Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

    Telephone

    01621 857511

    Maldon

    T J Frostick & Son cobbler offers a friendly, traditional repair service for all your shoes and boots, including new soles and heels, stitching etc. They also cut all kinds of keys and can do specialist alterations.

  17. Address

    54 High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AA

    Telephone

    01621 786243

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Templeman Galleries specializes in original pictures and also provides a bespoke picture framing service. The gallery stocks a large selection of unusual gifts, objects d’art and jewellery.

  18. Address

    11 Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4PZ

    Telephone

    01621 502225

    Maldon

    With its beautiful ever-changing window display including an array of plants, Dillys has already become an attractive feature of Market Hill. Just off the High Street, in a historic timber-framed building, Dillys offers a complete range of floristry…

  19. Address

    Hillside, Market Hill, Maldon, CM9 4QL

    Maldon

    As you walk up or down Market Hill, among the many historic buildings is a collection of Listed townhouses opposite the Market Hill Garden, just below Cromwell Lane. Now elegant, private homes, these buildings were once a single institution,…

  20. Address

    High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8AA

    Burnham-on-Crouch

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