ABOUT TOPSAIL CHARTERS

From the outset in 1987, when Topsail Charters was established by Stephanie Valentine and Paul Jeffries, the ethos of the company has been to preserve barges by keeping them actively working. Since then, Topsail Charters has played a key role in keeping Hydrogen and Thistle earning their own keep and funding an ongoing maintenance and restoration programme.

Topsail Charters - Thames Sailing Barges on the East Coast

In 1999 Topsail Charters took on the lease and refurbished Cooks Yard on Hythe Quay. Formerly known as Walter Cook & Son, boatbuilding has been recorded on the site long before Walter Cook established his barge building business in 1894 and until it's demise in the late 80's, was the last remaining barge yard in Britain. We have restored boatbuilding and barge repair to the site and maintained the last set of original barge repair blocks on the East Coast.

In the year 2006 over 11,000 people enjoyed a charter on one of our vessels, some as individuals and some as part of group functions. Your booking plays a key role in ensuring the future of these historic vessels and we value your contribution.