TRANQUIL ROSE Cruising Schedule & Route Guide 2019

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1 TRANQUIL ROSE Cruising Schedule & Route Guide 2019

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3 Welcome to our 2019 Cruising Schedule A warm welcome to old friends and new, as we look forward to our ninth year of operating Tranquil Rose, or TR as she is referred to by her friends. In some ways, TR could be considered as the grand old lady of the hotel boat world having been purpose built as a floating hotel back in 1973, when she was based at Burton-on-Trent. She is described as a wide beam narrow boat, a bit of a dichotomy but a good description, as she has the look and feel of a traditional narrowboat with the comfort and space of a wide beam vessel. Over the years, she has been lovingly looked after by her previous owners, and we hope we are carrying on with this tradition and offering a homely, friendly and relaxing place for you to spend time on the waterways. As always, we will be visiting most of the waterways in Southern England; the rivers Thames, and Lee and Stort, the Wey Navigation, the Grand Union, Kennet & Avon and Regents canals, and once again the Basingstoke canal. Since reintroducing the Basingstoke canal back into our schedule in 2017 it has become one of our more popular destinations and for this year we have included a few days on the Wey Navigation to create a great 10-night stay on TR. With this longer cruise, we should have plenty of time for site seeing on the way, so remember your cameras and walking shoes. Those of you who have travelled with us before will know that this is one of the most relaxing of holidays you can find. But of course, you do not have to sit back and relax, there are plenty of opportunities to jump off the boat and get some exercise. We are lucky that all of the canals and most of the rivers have good tow paths, and as we travel at a sedate 2 to 2 1/2mph on the canals, and a little faster on the rivers, it s easy enough to get off at a lock or bridge ole and enjoy some time on dry land. As always, we welcome guests who would like to be a bit more energetic and join in with the lock wheeling. If you have never tried working a lock, grab a windlass and give it a go; our crew will be more than happy to explain this dark art and we have plenty of spare windlasses so there is no excuse! Weather you spend your days working the locks, walking the tow path or relaxing in the well deck, remember that TR has a fully licensed bar with a range of wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks to enjoy as you chat about your days exploits with your fellow passengers. As you will see there are plenty of opportunities in this year s schedule, but they all have one thing in common, a relaxing and friendly environment to enjoy our waterways. If you need further convincing, let s leave the last words to Mole and the Water Rat in Kenneth Grahame s The Wind in the Willows when explaining that he had never been on a boat before: `Is it so nice as all that? asked Mole. The reply encompasses hotel boating completely: `Nice? It s the ONLY thing, said the Water Rat solemnly, as he leant forward for his stroke. `Believe me, my young friend; there is NOTHING - absolute nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing, he went on dreamily: `messing about in - boats; messing Admittedly the next paragraph talks about Rat, the boat, and a meeting with the riverbank, but perhaps we will gloss over that section! James and Sheelagh - Owners of Tranquil Rose

4 TRANQUIL ROSE HOLIDAY CRUISES Cruise no. Nt s Start of Cruise End of Cruise Date Place Date Place 1 5 Fri 12th April Godalming Wed 17th April Weybridge - Walking 2 6 Wed 17th April Weybridge Tues 23rd April Reading 3 7 Wed 24th April Reading Wed 1st May Goring via Oxford 4 7 Thurs 2nd May Goring Thurs 9th May Windsor 5 7 Fri 10th May Windsor Fri 17th May Rickmansworth RICKY FESTIVAL 6 7 Mon 20th May Rickmansworth Mon 27th May Weybridge via London 7 10 Tues 28th May Weybridge Fri 7th June Pyrford via Basingstoke Canal 8 7 Sat 8th June Pyrford Sat 15th June Winkwell 9 7 Sun 16th June Winkwell Sun 23rd June Cosgrove 10 7 Mon 24th June Cosgrove Mon 1st July Warwick BREAK 11 7 Sun 7th July Warwick Sun 14th July Globe/Leighton Buzzard 12 7 Mon 15th July Globe/Leighton Buzzard Mon 22nd July Little Venice 13 8 Tues 23rd July Little Venice Wed 31st July Reading 14 7 Thurs 1st Aug Reading Thurs 8th Aug Devizes 15 7 Fri 9th Aug Devizes Fri 16th Aug Bristol 16 6 Sat 17th Aug Bristol Fri 23rd Aug Foxhangers/Devizes 17 8 Sat 24th Aug Foxhangers/Devizes Sun 1st Sept Reading 18 7 Mon 2nd Sept Reading Mon 9th Sept Lechlade 19 7 Tues 10th Sept Lechlade Tues 17th Sept Reading - Walking 20 7 Wed 18th Sept Reading Wed 25th Sept Teddington - Walking 21 7 Thurs 26th Sept Teddington Thurs 3rd Oct Ware 22 7 Fri 4th Oct Ware Fri 11th Oct Kings Cross 23 7 Sat 12th Oct Kings Cross Sat 19th Oct Teddington

5 Crusing Holidays - price per guest 6 nights 7 nights 8 nights 10 nights Single Cabin Premium Single Cabin Double/Twin Cabin Walking Holidays - price per guest 5 nights 7 nights Single Cabin Premium Single Cabin Double/Twin Cabin

6 WALKING HOLIDAYS 12th to 17th April and 10th to 25th September In 2019, we have two walking seasons ; the first in mid-april, and the second during September. As usual, the concept is simple; we will provide your accommodation and meals throughout your stay, (mooring at different locations each afternoon), and you will be free to walk as much or little as you would like, safe in the knowledge that you are never too far away from somewhere to rest and put your feet up. If you stick to the towpath the mileage will be as indicated, but there are plenty of detours you can take to extend the distance if you are a hardier walker, just ask the crew who will be pleased to offer suggested changes to your route. Your day will start with a continental or cooked breakfast, whilst we prepare a pack lunch for your departure around 10am (after confirming our afternoon mooring location of course!) We have maps and guides to help you plan your day, but if you change your mind, just ring and we will arrange to meet you mid walk at a convenient location. Following your day s exertions, a hot shower, freshly prepared three course evening meal, and large saloon with a warming stove and a fully licenced bar, will help you recharge your batteries for the following day.

7 SPRING WALKING HOLIDAY 12th to 17th April Our Spring Walking holidays this year return to the Wey Navigation in Surrey. The River Wey has been used for navigation by small boats since medieval times but was made into a Navigation by the addition of 9 miles of artificial cut and 16 locks which dropped the water 22mtrs from Guildford to the Thames at Weybridge in The line of the Navigation has remained with few changes ever since and walking the towpath it is easy to slip back those 350 plus years to a slower way of life. Even though the Wey connects busy Godalming with Weybridge it is always a surprise how quiet and relaxed the towpath is as you walk through picturesque farm land, water meadows, past pretty locks and ancient buildings, or just sit in the gardens of a waterside pub enjoying a lunchtime pint. There are several options for walking during your stay; you may prefer a slow meander along the towpath beside the boat (we only travel at about 2 2 ½ mph), or tackle one of the set walks combining the towpath and the surrounding countryside. Alternatively, you may prefer to mix and match and walk in the morning and relax in the afternoon back on board the boat. Walking Holiday No.1, Weybridge to Godalming Wey Navigation 12th to 17th April - 5 nights, 19 miles (towpath walking) Our first walking holiday of the season is along the pretty Wey Navigation in Surrey. This is a downhill walk from the top of the navigable waterway to its junction with the River Thames at Weybridge. Starting at Godalming we travel through lovely flood plains and farmland to Guildford and Dapdune Wharf with its visitor centre. Leaving this lovely market town, we will spend the majority of our time in the countryside, passing many locks - quite a few with idyllic lock cottages, and the deserted priory at Newark. For those who would like longer walks, there are many footpaths into surrounding villages and the countryside to explore.

8 CRUISING HOLIDAYS 17th April to 9th September Cruise No.2, Weybridge to Reading River Thames 17th to 23rd April 6 nights, 41 miles, 17 locks We can never forget that we are on the Royal River on this stretch of the Thames. We encounter the first of these royal connections at Runnymede. Later, the vast royal parks herald our arrival at Windsor. famous for its fine castle. On leaving our mooring in Windsor, we journey upstream past Maidenhead. Then the famous Boulter s Lock heralds the lovely wooded stretch of Cliveden Reach. We arrive at Cookham, where time should be available to visit the Stanley Spencer Art Gallery if you wish. Continuing along the very attractive river, we pass through Marlow with its curved weir and suspension bridge, and upstream past many amazing waterside properties as we approach Hambleden with its fine mill. At Henley there is the River and Rowing Museum, as well as many interesting shops to visit. Passing through Sonning, a delightful and peaceful riverside village, we finish our cruise in Reading. Cruise No.3, Reading to Goring via Oxford River Thames 24th April to 1st May - 7 nights, 65 miles, 23 locks This gentle cruise features the middle Thames and is always popular with guests. On leaving our mooring in Reading we head west through Mapledurham and Pangbourne, and impressive riverside properties come thick and fast. Continuing upstream we pass through Wallingford, Shillingford and Abingdon to arrive at Oxford. We hope to moor for half a day so that you can get a glimpse of this famous university town. Retracing our steps, we head back downstream, stopping at Abingdon to visit this busy ancient market town with its Market Place museum, early 19th century goal, St Helens church and the Long Alley Almshouses built in We continue back downstream through open countryside, and if the mooring gods are with us, we will stop for the night in Saxon and Medieval Wallingford, with its 17-arch bridge (possibly built as early as 1141), town hall and Norman castle remains all well worth a visit if we manage to moor for the night. Our cruise finishes around lunchtime the following day at Goring when you are free to explore the small village and its neighbour Streatley, on the other side of the river.

9 Cruise No. 4, Goring to Windsor River Thames 2nd to 9th May - 7 nights, 39 miles, 15 locks This is a slow and leisurely cruise on the River Thames that allows plenty of opportunities to explore the towns along the way. Starting from Goring, we travel downstream on one of the most scenic stretches of the river. Passing by Pangbourne and Mapledurham we approach Caversham Bridge and the outskirts of Reading with its junction with the Kennet & Avon Canal. Our day finishes at the delightful village of Sonning where we will moor for the evening. A short journey the following morning brings us to Henley, with its River and Rowing Museum and many interesting historic buildings. Continuing down river, we pass through Hurley and Temple Locks and on to Marlow with its fine suspension bridge and large curved weir. Three miles below Marlow we arrive at Cookham, a pretty village with its Norman church built in 1140, and the Stanley Spencer Art Gallery. Cookham is a very popular mooring, but we will try to moor within walking distance of the village. With our cruise coming to an end, we will pass down the scenic Cliveden Reach, and iconic Boulters Lock in Maidenhead before making our way to Windsor and our mooring close to the historic Castle. Cruise No.5. Windsor to Rickmansworth River Thames & Grand Union Canal 10th to 17th May - 7 nights, 46 miles, 29 locks This cruise features the lower section of the non-tidal River Thames with its royal connections at Windsor, Runnymede and Hampton Court, a short trip on the upper tidal Thames, and finally the quieter Grand Union Canal as we scout the western suburbs of London. From Windsor the Thames winds past the Queens back garden at Home Park, through Runnymede and Staines to Hampton Court. Depending on tide times further downstream we hope to stop at both Runnymede and Hampton Court to allow you to have a look around these historic locations. Five miles below Teddington we leave the Thames at Brentford onto the Grand Union Canal and for the crew, it s a busy few hours as we ascend the eight locks at Hanwell. For our guests it s time to sit back and enjoy the ride (with G&T in hand?), or if you feel a bit more energetic, why not grab a windlass and join in the fun; the crew will be happy to explain the techniques of lock wheeling! Passing Bulls Bridge Junction - the old layby for the working boats in days gone by, the GU now enters and follows the pleasant valley of the River Colne, past the curious Wide Water, and the strangely-named Black Jacks lock to our destination at Rickmansworth. Cruise No.6, Rickmansworth to Weybridge Grand Union Canal & River Thames 20th to 27th May - 7 nights, 67 miles, 32 locks Our cruise starts from Rickmansworth and we begin by travelling down the valley of the River Colne. The locks along this stretch have stories to tell; Black Jack s, Widewater and Denham Lock which is the deepest on the Grand Union canal. Arriving at the junction with the Paddington Arm we turn left and enter London to moor in Little Venice and then on to the London Canal Museum in Kings Cross. Returning along the Paddington Arm we re-join the Grand Union at Bulls Bridge and descend the eight locks of the Hanwell flight towards Brentford and the River Thames. (If you need any exercise, please feel free to join in with the lock wheeling, the crew are not too proud to accept your help!). At Brentford, having confirmed the local high tide times, we head upstream to the limit of the tidal Thames at Teddington. From Teddington we have a short journey past Hampton Court to our destination at Weybridge. Keep a look out for Laura Croft, Shrek, a sinister man in black (not sure who he is), an alligator, a fox and an 8 topiary head in the riverside gardens we pass on the way!

10 Cruise No. 7, Weybridge to Pyrford Wey Navigation & Basingstoke Canal 28th May to 7th June - 10 nights, 35 miles, 63 locks As mentioned on the first page of this schedule, this holiday has quickly become a favourite with our guests. We will be visiting two beautiful waterways, one a navigation that has its origins in 1653, and the other an often-forgotten canal opened in Both waterways travel through a variety of countryside; sometimes wooded, sometimes open flood meadows, but always full of nature which can be a surprise when you consider how close we are to suburbia for much of the time. The first part of the holiday is mainly spent on the Basingstoke Canal, and with 56 locks there is plenty of time to learn the dark art of lock wheeling if you fancy a bit of exercise on your holiday! Of course, there will be plenty of time to wander along the towpath or just sit in the well deck and relax. The second part of this holiday is spent on the Wey Navigation and is mainly in open countryside, with some of the prettiest locks and lock side cottages on the southern waterways. We finish our journey at Pyrford, and there will be an opportunity to visit the nearby Royal Horticultural Society Gardens at Wisley; just mention it to our crew and we can organise things for you. Cruise No.8, Pyrford to Winkwell Wey Navigation, River Thames and Grand Union Canal 8th to 15th June 7 nights, 50 miles, 51 locks Although our cruise starts from Pyrford on the Wey Navigation, we join the River Thames by lunchtime on our first full day and head downstream towards Hampton Court. Depending on the tide times at Teddington, we would hope to stay at Hampton Court for a while before continuing down to Brentford to join the Grand Union Canal. From here we ascend the Hanwell flight of eight locks with their interesting water-saving side pounds if you would like a bit of exercise why not grab a windlass and lend a hand, there will be no complaints from the crew! We pass by Bulls Bridge, the junction with the Paddington Arm and once the main layby for working boats awaiting orders from Brentford or Limehouse to be taken to the Midlands. We continue our climb up the Colne Valley through Denham Deep, Black Jacks and finally Iron Bridge lock in the beautiful Cassiobury Park, 190 acres of green parkland close to Watford. A mad day and a half will take us through 17 more locks (all uphill I m afraid) and through Hemel Hempstead to Winkwell on the outskirts of Hemel, and conveniently only a five-minute taxi ride from the mainline station. Cruise No.9, Winkwell to Cosgrove Grand Union Canal 16th to 23rd June 6 nights, 34 miles, 41 locks Another cruise on the southern Grand Union that has locks, towns and open spaces in abundance. Fifteen locks will take us through Berkhamsted (a surprisingly interesting town from my Southeast London viewpoint) to the Tring summit between Cowroast and the top of the Marsworth flight of locks. Keep your eyes peeled as there are often Kingfishers to be seen on this stretch. As we descend the Marsworth flight we skirt the Marsworth reservoir, built as storage for water to be pumped via the Wendover Arm back to the Grand Union at the Tring summit. Continuing downhill, we pass though beautiful open countryside, yet more locks, and finally approach Milton Keynes. If you have always wondered about visiting Bletchley Park, home to the WW2 codebreakers, this would be a great opportunity to do so. Spend half to one day at this brilliant exhibition or remain on board as we circle Milton Keynes past the old villages of Simpson and Great Linford. Beyond the

11 railway town of Wolverton, we cross the River Great Ouse on the Iron Trunk or Cosgrove Aqueduct and enter Cosgrove, which is a delightful village, with its secret horse tunnel under the canal, ornate Solomon s bridge and beautiful walks around the village and the now abandoned Buckingham Arm. Cruise No.10 Cosgrove to Warwick Grand Union Canal 24th June to 1st July - 7 nights, 45 miles, 45 locks, 2 tunnels Starting at the lovely village of Cosgrove we will first travel to Stoke Bruerne where we will stop for half a day to allow a visit to the excellent Canal Museum. An 8am start will see us travel through the 2,813 metre Blisworth Tunnel and then on towards Braunston via lovely open countryside, the large embankment high above Weedon and the 7 lock Buckby Flight running close to the motorway and railway line (as all modes of transport squeeze together through the infamous Watford Gap). A second early start sees us travel through the 1,867 metre Braunston Tunnel and down the 6 lock Braunston Flight into Braunston, the historic junction of the Oxford Canal and Grand Union Canal and regarded by many as the heart of the waterways. After joining the Oxford Canal for a short distance, we turn towards Warwick and descend the Calcutt and Stockton flights. This section of canal was rebuilt in the 1930s, so it is relatively modern, but still very pretty. The staircase locks at Bascote enable us to pass under two historic roads - the drovers Welsh Road and the Romans Fosse Way, before we arrive in Royal Leamington Spa. From here it is just a short cruise to Warwick and our final destination. Cruise No.11, Warwick to Leighton Buzzard/The Globe Grand Union Canal 7th to 14th July - 7 nights, 62 miles, 51 locks, 2 tunnels, 6 aqueducts Leaving Warwick behind us, we cross the River Avon and skirt Royal Leamington Spa towards the locks at Stockton and Calcutt. We join the Oxford canal for a short stretch until we reach Braunston, situated on a hill above the canal and well worth a visit. An early start finds us entering the Braunston tunnel, which has a slight kink in the middle hold on tight! The summit pound is at first tree-lined, then opens out to rolling countryside before we reach the Buckby flight of seven locks and descend towards Weedon with its Napoleonic barracks, Blissworth village, and the long cutting to the Blisworth Tunnel. A second early start takes us through the Blissworth tunnel and on to Stoke Bruerne with its interesting Canal Museum. Continuing south and east through Cosgrove with its horse tunnel and the Great Ouse Aqueduct, we reach the outskirts of Milton Keynes. Whatever your perceptions of Milton Keynes, you may be surprised how pretty the cut is as we travel through mature parks and woodland and around the Medieval Village of Great Linford. If you do not mind leaving the boat for a few hours, the Code Breaking Museum at Bletchley Park would be an interesting visit. We leave Milton Keynes and head south for the last few miles of our journey before arriving at The Globe pub, outside Leighton Buzzard.

12 Cruise no.12, Leighton Buzzard to London/Little Venice Grand Union Canal and Paddington Arm 15th to 22nd July - 7 nights, 54 miles, 64 locks There are many fine sights on this waterway which is far more rural than people often imagine; from the scenic landscape beyond the summit at Tring (keep your eyes peeled for Kingfishers), south to the outskirts of West London and through into the heart of London and Little Venice. From Leighton Buzzard, we commence our gradual climb up the northern slopes of the Chiltern Hills. We reach Marsworth with its huge reservoirs feeding the canal, (a haven for wild birds of all sorts) and climb a winding flight of locks to the canal summit at Bulbourne. After traveling along the heavily wooded Tring cutting we pass through the curiously named Cowroast Lock and commence our long descent towards the capital. We pass through Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead (plenty of locks for those who want a bit of exercise!), and along the Colne Valley to the delightful Cassiobury Park. Continuing south past Rickmansworth, Black Jacks Lock and Denham Deep lock we eventually reach Bulls Bridge, where we turn left onto the Paddington arm of the canal and enter London by the back door to arrive at Little Venice. Cruise No.13, Little Venice to Reading Paddington Arm, Grand Union Canal and River Thames 23rd to 31st July 8 nights, 75 miles, 32 locks, 1 aqueduct This cruise gives a wonderful contrast between the surprisingly green exit from London on the Paddington Arm and Grand Union Canal, and the beautiful open views and extraordinary properties along the River Thames. We leave our mooring in Little Venice and travel along the Paddington Arm past Kensal Green and Norwood to Bulls Bridge Junction, where we join the main line of the Grand Union Canal. From here we descend via Hanwell Locks to join the River Thames at Brentford. Once out onto the tidal river, we pass the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Richmond before locking up from the tidal river at Teddington and mooring at Hampton Court, where the Royal Palace and gardens are worth a visit. We continue past Shepperton before reaching Runnymede and the site of the signing of the Magna Carta. Royal Home Park marks our approach to Windsor, with a great view of the castle in the distance. The river winds its way to Boulter s Lock, which is instantly recognisable from Edwardian prints, and is followed by the lovely wooded Cliveden Reach (Cliveden means valley among cliffs and is aptly named). Next comes Cookham, home to the Stanley Spencer art gallery, and continuing upstream, pass through Marlow, Henley with its Rowing Museum, and Sonning before our arrival in Reading. Cruise No.14, Reading to Devizes Kennet & Avon Canal 1st to 8th August - 7 nights, 54 miles, 62 locks, 1 tunnel This is a gentle cruise along some of the finer parts of the Kennet & Avon canal, featuring the River Kennet as well as the winding canal sections through to Devizes. Leaving our mooring on the Thames we immediately join the Kennet & Avon Canal through Reading with its unusual traffic light controlled central section. Beyond Reading we wind around water meadows and through Aldermaston, Woolhampton (often a bit of an adventure!) to arrive at the market town of Newbury. Still surrounded by open countryside we pass Hungerford and Great Bedwyn on our way towards the Crofton flight of locks, with its restored steam pumping house. This was built between and was used to supply water to the summit of the canal. The top lock of the

13 Crofton flight announces our arrival at the summit and we pass through the 459mtr Savernake tunnel, before starting our decent through a flight of locks to the charming village of Wootton Rivers. Onward past Pewsey Wharf, we travel through the woods of Stowell Park with its elegant suspension bridge, and then Wilcot Wide Water, under the ornate Ladies bridge. The Vale of the White Horse feels to be truly the heart of the countryside, and we pass such isolated hamlets as the quaintly-named Honey Street before reaching our moorings in the market town of Devizes. Cruise No.15, Devizes to Bristol Kennet & Avon Canal and River Avon 9th to 16th August - 7 nights, 37 miles, 48 locks This leisurely cruise takes in the Kennet & Avon Canal as well as the River Avon, with plenty of opportunities to explore the local towns and countryside our way. We start the cruise with a rush as we descend the Caen Hill flight of 29 locks, an energetic start to the week for our crew. If you would like to lend a hand, just ask, the more the merrier. After working our way down the locks, this first day s cruise finishes at moorings in the garden of the Barge Inn, Seend, for a well-earned pint! We continue through relaxing landscapes to Bradford on Avon with its huge old tithe barn and interesting local shops. The scenery just gets better and better as we cruise through the Avon Valley where the canal clings to the sides of the hill, twice crossing the river on stone aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas. We approach Bath through the charming Sydney Gardens and catch glimpses of the magnificent crescents of grand houses, all constructed from the local sandstone. From Bath we descend a flight of six locks to join the picturesque River Avon (keep your eyes open for Kingfishers) and on to the Floating Harbour at Bristol, where time is available to wander and perhaps visit Brunel s SS Great Britain, harbour side cafes or the Clifton Suspension Bridge before you depart. Cruise No.16 Bristol to Devizes/Foxhangers River Avon and Kennet & Avon Canal 17th to 23rd August - 6 nights, 35 miles, 22 locks This cruise is the reverse of cruise 15, although we finish below the locks at Devizes. Before joining us, if you have not visited Bristol before, take the opportunity to arrive early and enjoy the many delights of this famous city; Brunel s iron steamship the SS Great Britain, the Clifton Suspension Bridge or the many cafes, bars and restaurants around the Floating Harbour. After our initial cruise through the harbour we join and experience the remote pleasures of the River Avon, most of it set in an impressively wooded valley, before arriving in Bath. A winding set of locks (including Bath Deep Lock) takes us onto the Kennet & Avon Canal, and as we leave Bath we catch glimpses of crescents of grand houses, all constructed from the local Bath Stone. The scenery is amazing as the canal clings to the side of the valley, crossing it twice on great stone aqueducts at Dundas and Avoncliff. We soon approach our mooring in Bradford on Avon with a little time to visit its huge old tithe barn or picturesque local shops surrounding the river valley. We will journey on through isolated locks and rolling countryside past Semington and Seend, to finish at the moorings at Foxhangers.

14 Cruise No.17, Devizes to Reading Kennet & Avon Canal and River Kennet 24th August to 1st September 8 nights, 54 miles, 86 locks, 1 tunnel This cruise offers a fine contrast between the pretty Kennet & Avon canal and the winding River Kennet at the easterly end of our trip into Reading. We start with a bang and a busy time for the crew as we ascend the Caen Hill Flight of 26 locks in 2 miles. If you feel energetic why not grab a windlass and try a bit of lock wheeling, I m sure the crew will welcome you with open arms! We leave Devizes and cruise 13 lock free miles, meandering our way through the pretty village of Wootton Rivers and up the final three locks to the summit of the K&A at the 459 mtr Bruce Tunnel. Descending the Crofton flight with its massive pumping house, we continue downhill through Great and Little Bedwyn to the town of Hungerford, famous for its antique shops. Beyond Hungerford we are immediately in open countryside as the canal takes us past Kintbury, through parkland to the market town of Newbury. From here we are back travelling through open countryside again, past Thatcham and then Monkey Marsh lock, one of the last turf sided locks on the K&A and listed as an Ancient Monument by English Heritage. Continuing eastwards, we pass Aldermaston, through wooded fields and a winding River Kennet towards our final destination in Reading. Cruise No.18, Reading to Lechlade River Thames 2nd to 9th September - 7 nights, 70 miles, 24 locks This relaxing cruise features the Royal River and takes us upstream to Lechlade within ½ mile of the head of the navigable Thames. From the start in Reading we are greeted by a particularly attractive stretch of the river taking us upstream past Mapledurham and Goring and on to Wallingford. We continue through open countryside to moor for the night at the historic town of Abingdon. From here, the river becomes narrower as we pass Sandford, the boat houses at Christ Church Meadow and The Head of the River pub at Folly Bridge, before arriving in Oxford, the city of Dreaming Spires. After a short stay in Oxford, we leave the city and the river changes character, becoming totally rural. We are now on the quiet upper reaches of the Thames, which are quite unlike the more familiar downstream parts of the river. This is an idyll of spring flowers, water meadows, sleepy waterside villages and inns. The river twists and turns passing the old manor at Kelmscot (once the home of William Morris), and Buscot lock, which is adjacent to the National Trust s Buscot Park. Later, there is a fine statue of Old Father Thames reclining proudly by the side of St John s lock. If the water levels are sufficient, we will continue and turn the boat at Inglesham, the limit of navigation of the River Thames, before heading back downstream to moor at our destination in Lechlade.

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16 LATE SUMMER WALKING HOLIDAYS 10th to 25th September Our two walking holidays in September are designed to allow guests to complete the non-tidal length of the Thames Path in two one-week sections; between Lechlade and Reading, and from Reading to Teddington. Walking Holiday - Cruise No.19, Lechlade to Reading Thames Path - River Thames 10th to 17th September - 7 nights, 10 to 13 miles per day This cruise is the first of two planned to enable guests walk the non-tidal section of the Thames Path, and takes you from Lechlade, within ½ mile of the limit for power craft on the River Thames, to Reading, a distance of approximately 70 miles. If you care to arrive in Lechlade a couple of days earlier, you can trace the Thames Path back to the source of the River Thames, which can be found beside an old ash tree in a Cotswold meadow not far from Kemble. A stone marker identifies this point, although for most of the year there is no water at all. We start our journey travelling along a very isolated, rural stretch of the river, meandering through meadowland, with little contact with the outside world. After a couple of days, we will have reached Swinford, close to the outskirts of Oxford, and move on to Abingdon by the end of the third day. Where possible, our evening moorings will be located close to civilisation allowing time to explore the surrounding area, if you have enough energy left! The second half of your holiday will take us close to or through larger towns including Dorchester, Wallingford, Goring and Pangbourne, before we finally arrive in Reading, and a well-earned rest. Walking Holiday - Cruise No.20, Reading to Teddington Thames Path - River Thames 18th to 25th September - 7 nights, 8 to 12 miles per day This walking holiday, our second along the Thames Path, has slightly shorter days averaging between 8 and 12 miles per day. This may well allow for the occasional detour to wander around the many riverside towns, or to find a Costa (other shops are available) for your daily coffee fix. We will be mooring for the evenings at locations including Henley, Marlow, Windsor and Hampton Court and if all our guests agree, we can allow ½ day for sightseeing at one of the many historic landmarks on this section of the Thames. Your walk will also take you through or past Sonning, Marlow and Cookham, and as we approach Maidenhead, Cliveden Reach which will be full of autumn colour at this time of year. Windsor needs little introduction and beyond we will pass Windsor Home Park and continue through Runnymede and Staines. Your last days walk will take you past Hampton Court Palace and through Kingston to our final mooring at Teddington.

17 AUTUMN CRUISING HOLIDAYS 26th September to 19th October Cruise No.21, Teddington to Ware River Thames, Grand Union Canal, Paddington Arm, Regents Canal, Hertford Canal and the Lee & Stort Navigation 26th September to 3rd October - 7 nights, 57 miles, 40 locks This cruise takes us along six waterways, and through a variety of environments. Starting at Teddington we will travel downstream on five miles of the tidal Thames before turning off at Brentford to join the Grand Union Canal. From Brentford we ascend the seven-lock flight at Hanwell with its interesting water saving side pounds, and through to Bulls Bridge, once the main layby for working boats awaiting orders from Brentford or Limehouse to be taken to the Midlands. Turning right along the Paddington Arm we begin our entry to London where we arrive at Little Venice after 13 lock free miles. From Little Venice we travel along the Regent s Canal, through Maida Hill Tunnel, the Regents Park and London Zoo. We ll catch a glimpse of the bustling activity at Camden before descending a series of locks, through the longer 878mtr Islington Tunnel, and past Victoria Park to join the Hertford Union Canal. This short and little-used stretch of canal takes us onto the wider Lee & Stort Navigation, where we cruise past many pretty reservoirs on our way to Enfield and Waltham Abbey. By the penultimate evening we will have reached the marina at Roydon on the River Stort, leaving a half day s gentle motoring up the River Lee to our final moorings in Ware.

18 Cruise No.22, Ware to London/Kings Cross Lee & Stort Navigation and Regents Canal 4th to 11th October - 7 nights, 48 miles, 46 locks This cruise takes you from delightful stretches of the rivers Lee and Stort, into and through the heart of London. From Ware, we cruise downstream on the River Lee to join the River Stort. Turning onto the Stort, we cruise in splendid isolation amongst water meadows, past several old water mills and the memorable Pishiobury Park. We then retrace our steps, re-join the River Lee, and continue our journey south towards London. We will pass Broxbourne where we cross the prime meridian just below Carthagena Lock, Waltham Abbey and Enfield Lock, close to the site of the Royal Small Arms Factory and the home of the Lee Enfield rifle. There are many pretty reservoirs to our left that supply around 15% of London s water and form part of the Lee Valley Park. Shortly after passing the eastern junction with the Hertford Union Canal and Old Ford Lock, we travel past the site of the 2012 Olympics and Three Mills before arriving in the famous Limehouse Basin for a glimpse of the tidal Thames. The following morning, we leave the basin and join the Regent s Canal to cross London, passing the western end of the Hertford Union Canal, Victoria Park, and travel through the 877 metres of the Islington Tunnel before reaching our destination at the London Canal Museum in Kings Cross. Cruise No.23, Kings Cross to Teddington Regence and Hertford Union Canals, Paddington Arm, Grand Union and River Thames 12th to 19th October - 7nights, 41 miles, 32 locks Our last cruise of the season is an interesting journey through London, visiting a wide variety of environments with plenty to see and explore. On the way we will pass by converted old warehouses, a block of modern apartments built within an old gas holder, London Zoo, busy local markets such as Camden and Broadway Markets, two tunnels, an aqueduct over the North Circular road, house boats galore, a surprising variety of wild life that have adapted to city life,. there s far too many sights to mention here! A quick look at the schedule see us starting from Kings Cross in central London and at first travelling east to the Limehouse Basin on the banks of the River Thames. We then backtrack to moor at the London Canal Museum before continuing to Camden and Little Venice. At this point we begin to leave London via the back door and travel west to join the Grand Union Canal at Bulls Bridge, once the main layby for working boats awaiting orders from Brentford or Limehouse to be taken to the Midlands. We descend the Hanwell flight of eight locks (plenty of opportunity learn the dark art of lock wheeling here!) to join the River Thames at Brentford and finish our cruise with a short journey up the tidal Thames to Teddington.

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20 For further information about Tranquil Rose Hotel Boat Holidays, to enquire about availability or to make a booking, please contact us: 17 Buckingham Road South Holmwood Surrey RH5 4LB tel: james@tranquilrose.co.uk