Thistle, Thames Sailing Barge

Book Tickets Online

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
Previous Next

Number of results:

Number of results: 459

, currently showing 61 to 80.

  1. Address

    St Stephen's Road, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6NP

    Telephone

    01621 742947

    Cold Norton

    A small church situated on the edge of the village of Cold Norton.

  2. Address

    Paraphernalia, as its name suggests, stocks a wide variety of useful things! You will find sewing and crafting supplies, including card, knitting wool, haberdashery and thread, art and crafts for kids, storage, bakeware and household items, plus…

  3. Address

    Braxted Bakery, Little Braxted Lane, Little Braxted, CM8 3ET

    Little Braxted

    3.3 miles. The quiet lanes around Little Braxted make a pleasant walk with plenty to explore along the way, including a richly decorated Grade I listed church, fine old buildings with decorative chimneys and an unusual miniature railway at Braxted…

  4. Address

    Katonia Avenue, Mayland, Essex, CM3 6AD

    Telephone

    01621 743551

    Mayland

    A large well equipped rec ground with good access for cars & pedestrians. Football pitches, floodlit tennis/5 a side courts, a range of play equipment for older children, rebound wall, youth shelter & large erath mounds for BMXing.

  5. Address

    60A Victoria Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HF

    Telephone

    01621 852259

    Maldon

    The Assumption of Our Lady Roman Catholic Church in Maldon was opened in 1925, replacing a temporary place of worship that had been set up in and old converted Forge in Silver Street.

  6. Address

    1 Chandlers Quay, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LF

    Telephone

    07801 364 135

    Maldon

    Marigold Charters offers sailing adventures on and around the river Blackwater. Their vessel Marigold is a Gravesend Bawley built upon the lines of the Lilliam in 1869.

  7. Address

    Millfields, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HS

    Telephone

    07519 743121

    Burnham-on-Crouch

  8. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 850222

    Maldon

    Monkey Puzzle is holding a monthly play session during term times for children with additional needs (SEND). The sessions are closed to the general public, allowing a safe and comfortable play session for children with disabilities and their…

  9. 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…

  10. Address

    Downs Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HG

    Telephone

    01621 854477

    Maldon

    An area of grassland and trees which slopes gently down to saltmarsh at the edge of the River Blackwater. At the top of the site near the road is a tarmac path and a number of benches.

  11. Address

    East St, Tollesbury, Maldon, CM9 8QD

    Telephone

    01621 869230

    Tollesbury

    Tollesbury Congregational Church has served the village since 1803.

  12. Address

    Church Hill, Woodham Walter, Essex, CM9 6RJ

    Telephone

    01245 223551

    Woodham Walter

    Built in 1563, St Michael's is the sole Elizabethan church in Essex and one of only six built in England during Elizabeth's reign.

  13. 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…

  14. Address

    All Saints' Church, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PY

    Maldon

    Walking tours filled with ghoulish tales and tantalising tidbits of history (with some honest laughs to round it out).

  15. 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.

  16. 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…

  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

    Elm Farm, Maldon Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8NT

    Telephone

    01621 783216

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Qualified instructors cater for all ages and stages. Very good hacking, long distance horse riding, pony trekking and beach rides. Introduction to riding - lead rein for the very young, plus group and private lessons. Weight limit 15 st.

  19. Address

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

    Telephone

    0345 603 7628

    White Horse Lane , Maldon

    Tuesdays. A fun brick building club for children of all ages at Maldon Library - FREE to take part. All materials are provided and the activity is available on Tuesdays from 3:45 to 4:30pm.

  20. Address

    Landbreach Ltd, Downs Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HT

    Telephone

    07766480793

    Maldon

    From May 2023. This traditional pleasure boat was built locally in 1947 and, following a complete restoration, is once again offering trips around the estuary. Moored at the ‘little blue jetty’, the Viking Saga is the best way to view both the Hythe…

Related

Sailing Barge "Reminder"Sailing Barge "Reminder", MaldonHistoric sailing barge moored at top of River Blackwater on Maldon's Hythe Quay. Ideal base for winter walks and bird watching.

Thistle, Thames Sailing Barge Topsail Charters, MaldonHistoric sailing barges ‘Hydrogen’ and ‘Thistle’ are available for regular public cruises and also for private hire for groups up to 50 from a variety of East Coast locations including Maldon and Ipswich.

The Hythe Quay MaldonHythe Quay, MaldonFor 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. Linking the award-winning Promenade Park with the pubs, restaurants and shops of Maldon High Street, Hythe Quay is a 'must see' for any visitor to…