East Coast River Cruises

Topsail Thames Sailing Barge River cruises cover the Thames Estuary and East Coast areas and mainly begin or finish at one or more of the locations shown below.

Maldon - River Blackwater

Maldon is a tidal town at the top of the Blackwater river and is home to many of the remaining barge fleet. Our popular day hire including a 2 hour sail take you down past the bird sanctuary of Northey Island to the privately owned Osea Island, before heading back to the Quay, where the barge remains at your disposal. On a day sail you head towards Bradwell, perhaps as far as Mersea Island or the river Colne before returning up river.

We also offer static hire on the Quay for evening parties.

Ipswich - River Orwell Cruise

Ipswich offers sailing from the Old Customs House in the historic dock. Move through the dock and lock gates into the River Orwell, sailing under the eye-catching Orwell Bridge. On a 4 hour lunch or evening sail you pass Woolverstone and picturesque Pin Mill to Harwich Harbour and Felixstowe Dock before returning. A day sail takes you through the Harbour and into the beautiful River Stour towards Mistley.

In addition to cruises on the River Orwell, we also offer static hire in the dock for meetings, presentations and parties.

Tilbury - lower Thames

Tilbury, on the lower Thames, provides ample room for setting sails, offering a unique vantage point to view this busy stretch of water. A typical cruise would take us up river and under the QE2 Bridge and towards London - perhaps as far as Tower Bridge, or down river towards Southend and the Medway shores.

London - River Thames Cruise

London offers a fascinating trip, offering views of the Millenium Dome, the National Maritime Museum. The Royal Naval College, the Cutty Sark and the remarkable architecture of Canary Wharf and the Docklands. The trip starts and finishes from Tower Pier or London Bridge City Pier with a Tower Bridge lift, arranged especially to order for you (subject to pier availability).

Brightlingsea - River Colne Cruise

Brightlingsea is an historic Cinque Port town famous for sailing for many years. At most states of the tide you can step on board the barge at the new town jetty, or we can arrange a launch to ferry guests between the jetty & the barge moored in Pyefleet Creek. We may head up the River Colne, past Fingrinhoe Wick Bird Reserve and towards Wivenhoe and Rowhedge, or into the River Blackwater, past Mersea and Bradwell.