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. 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: 460

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  1. Address

    Garden Fields, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7JY

    Telephone

    01621 868352

    Steeple

    This site consists of a large area of grass surrounded by hedges. Football pitch, unfenced children's play site and basketball net

  2. Address

    2 Chigborough Road, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    07702244440

    An annual pass, £20 per person in 2022, gives permission to use the walking path around Chigborough Farm site, with proceeds going to Farleigh Hospice. Parking is not available, so pass holders must be able to walk to the site. Commercial dog…

  3. Address

    Sea-Change Sailing Trust, Downs Road Boatyard, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HG

    Telephone

    01621840982

    Maldon

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  4. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621854477

    Maldon

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

  5. Address

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

    Telephone

    01621 776074

    Bradwell-on-Sea

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  6. Address

    Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SJ

    Telephone

    01621 862960

    Stow Maries

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  7. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Telephone

    07718135276

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  8. Address

    1 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PB

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    020 8090 5048

    Maldon

    We have now opened our own unique gift shop on Maldon High Street, specialising in Star Wars as well as expanding our range to include iconic science fiction and fantasy from film, TV and gaming franchises. 

  9. 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.

  10. Address

    Ferry Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8PJ

    Telephone

    01621 784535

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    Creeksea Place is a 16th century fairytale Tudor Mansion set in beautiful gardens. The house with its captivating façade and tranquil surroundings is steeped in history.

  11. Address

    12 Wantz Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5DE

    Telephone

    01621 840088

    Maldon

    The building in Wantz Road has been used by the Salvation Army for many years as our place of Worship and Christian Service. Our regular Sunday morning service is at 10.30am with various events throughout the week, including our toddler group on…

  12. 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…

  13. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    The World War One Avenue of Remembrance at Promenade Park begins by the coach park and loops around the field to the main vehicle entrance from Park Drive. The Avenue originally consisted of 180 numbered trees and was dedicated on 27 November 1935…

  14. Address

    Woodrolfe Road Car Park, Tollesbury, CM9 8SE

    Tollesbury

    SALTMARSH COAST WALKING FESTIVAL - 3.4 miles. This spectacular walk explores the historic village of Tollesbury with its bustling marina, historic lightvessel and interesting centre. Passing wildlife-rich saltmarshes, traditional sail lofts, an…

  15. 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…

  16. Address

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

    Telephone

    07577 856951

    Great Braxted

    Braxted Seafood Hut is at Great Braxted Farm Shop on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The shop offers fresh local wet fish and shellfish, marinated prepared fish skewers ready for the barbecue, seafood platters, Maldon Oysters, lobsters and fresh…

  17. Address

    Friends Meeting House (Quaker Church), Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

    Telephone

    01621 854056

    Maldon

    Maldon’s Quaker Meeting House was built in 1821. It comprises two separate rooms; originally one for women and one for men, but now everyone worships together. The Georgian benches and tiered elders’ benches remain.

  18. Address

    Stow Road, Cold Norton, Essex, CM3 6RR

    Telephone

    01621 828631

    Cold Norton

    The Kings & Jubilee courses offer a great variety and challenge. Constructed to USGA specifications to provide an unrivalled quality of playing surface year round.

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    Church Street, Tollesbury, CM9 8QJ

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    07908 776750

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    St Mary the Virgin is a beautiful Grade II* Listed church in the village of Tollesbury. The nave and part of the tower date back to the 11th century and incorporate reused Roman bricks and tiles. Inside there is an interesting font and brass and the…

  20. Address

    48 The Street, Heybridge, CM9 4NB

    Heybridge

    Popular off-licence and convenience store with a wide range of products, including vegan and vegetarian, fair trade, whole foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen foods and household essentials. The alcohol selection includes an…

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