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. 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

    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.

  2. Address

    The High Street, Bradwell-on-Sea, CM0 7QN

    Telephone

    01621 776274

    Bradwell-on-Sea

    The shop is owned and run by members of the Bradwell-on-Sea community and stocks a wide range of products including fresh bread baked by Golden Platter of Mayland, The Secret Butcher meat and cheese (from Burnham), local honey, fresh organic produce…

  3. Address

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

    Telephone

    07519 743121

    Burnham-on-Crouch

  4. Address

    Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4RE

    Telephone

    07702244440

    Heybridge

    Rowing and Pedalo hire for days out in the summer on the picturesque lake at Chigborough Fisheries. Life jackets must be worn at all times on board.

  5. Address

    Chic, 98 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621 856301

    Maldon

    Chic

  6. Address

    Stow Maries, Essex, CM3 6SA

    Stow Maries

    This walk features attractive countryside, a disused railway and three superb examples of village pubs on the Dengie Peninsula. All three offer excellent ranges of local beers and food to tempt you, before or after your walk.

  7. Address

    5 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PB

    Telephone

    01621 853151

    Maldon

    Master butchers in Maldon High St since 1928, Ansell & Sons is a meat and game specialist. Its meat, game and poultry produce ranges are primarily locally sourced from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk farms, as well as direct from Smithfield Market…

  8. Address

    167 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BS

    Telephone

    01621 842963

    Maldon

    First Stop Supermarket is a well-stocked convenience store with an array of genuinely fresh vegetables, fruit and generous bunches of herbs, as well as all the everyday grocery and household essentials. The store also has an off-licence and is open…

  9. Address

    Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LE

    Telephone

    01621 856503

    Maldon

    The site boasts one of the largest and best equipped children's play sites in the Maldon District. The play equipment has been designed so that it is exciting and challenging for children of all ages.

  10. Address

    Riverside Park, Riverside Park, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HS

    Burnham-on-Crouch

    A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

  11. Address

    Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LU

    Telephone

    01621 740370

    North Fambridge

    Fambridge Yacht Haven at North Fambridge is a peaceful retreat for families, rallies and solo-travellers. From fine riverside walks to country pubs and plenty of children's attractions, there's so much to discover! With a direct train line to…

  12. Address

    118 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5ET

    Telephone

    01621 852969

    Maldon

    Maldon Newsagent & Off Licence is a convenience store selling magazines and newspapers, groceries, sweets, alcohol and everyday essentials.

  13. Address

    Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ

    Maldon

    Situated in Maldon's Promenade Park, the Maldon Prom BMX Track offers an off-road course with jumps, corners and areas to perform tricks and stunts for riders of all ages and abilities.

    The BMX Track has been designed to offer a safe space for…

  14. Address

    Church Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6LU

    Telephone

    01621 742947

    North Fambridge

    This 200 year old church is the only place of worship in North Fambridge.

  15. Address

    River Blackwater, West Mersea

    Telephone

    07938 273739

    West Mersea

    Estuary Rib Tours is a family run business that provides boat trips starting from Mersea Island to enjoy the Blackwater Estuary, often stopping for lunch in Bradwell-on-Sea. The tours are on our 8m Cobra Rib, ‘Hi Fizz’, which carries up to 8 guests…

  16. Address

    Station Road, Southminster, Essex, CM0 7EW

    Telephone

    01621 773868

    Southminster

    One of the largest and best equipped parish fields in the Maldon District, this open, flat site is bordered to the south by a large flooded former gravel pit.

  17. Address

    Church Rd, Ulting, Essex, CM9 6QU

    Telephone

    01245 380958

    Ulting

    All Saints Church stands in a picturesque setting on the River Chelmer. It is Grade II* Listed and was built in 1150, with a barrel vaulted chancel roof. There is a Commonwealth War Grave in the churchyard.

  18. 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.

  19. Address

    Beeleigh Falls, Maldon Road, Beeleigh, Essex, CM9 6QA

    Beeleigh

    Beeleigh Falls is home to a series of water falls, locks and weirs on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.

  20. Address

    Elizabeth Way, Heybridge, Maldon, CM9 4TG

    Telephone

    01621 852471

    Heybridge

    A small children's play area accessible from Elizabeth Way and the Elms Farm development.

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