Narrowboating on The Thames

Day 5. Narrowboating to Oxford

It was just coming light as we drew back the bedroom curtains of our narrowboat which we'd moored the previous evening just below Eynsham Lock.  I prepared breakfast on board whilst the engine was being started and then we began to gather our belongings together as our narrowboat adventure was nearing its end. We slipped …

Continue reading Day 5. Narrowboating to Oxford

Advertisement
View of Thames from narrowboat

Day 4. Narrowboating on the Thames to Eynsham

The day started with an autumnal mist over the river, but gladly the sun soon broke through.  After enjoying a leisurely breakfast on board our narrowboat we walked back to Sandford lock to take a photo of the pub where we'd tucked into dinner the night before (The King's Arms). It was 9.50 a.m. by …

Continue reading Day 4. Narrowboating on the Thames to Eynsham

Thames Canal Boat

Day 3. Boating on the Thames to Sandford Lock

Drawing back the curtains from our mooring on the Thames, we were greeted by clear blue skies and after a leisurely breakfast on board we decided to take a stroll around Clifton Hampden as it was too dark to see much the night before. Both the village and the Barley Mow pub (where we had …

Continue reading Day 3. Boating on the Thames to Sandford Lock

Bridge along the Thames near Abingdon

Day 2. Narrowboating from Oxford to Abingdon

We'd enjoyed a peaceful first night's sleep tucked up in our comfy beds on board Cunningham, our 65ft narrowboat on hire from Drifters Waterways Holidays, Anglo Welsh base in Eynsham. Up first was David, my husband who performed the daily engine checks which had been demonstrated to us during the previous afternoon's handover.  He then turned …

Continue reading Day 2. Narrowboating from Oxford to Abingdon

AngloWelsh Cunningham Canal Boat

Day 1. Narrowboating on the Thames

I’ve spent many a happy hour strolling along canal towpaths and riverbanks enjoying watching narrowboats pass by.  I've even seen 3 of the 7 'Wonders of the Waterways' yet had never been on a British narrow-boating holiday, that is until now. Our adventure started one bright and sunny October morning when we drove to the …

Continue reading Day 1. Narrowboating on the Thames

Holiday Inn Winchester Entrance

Holiday Inn, Winchester

Hotel Review I was recently invited to stay at the Holiday Inn, Winchester which underwent a major £2.5m refurbishment programme in 2019 to expand its lobby and dining areas and add a luxury spa. Location: The hotel is located on the outskirts of Winchester in southern Hampshire, south west England. The city lies 60 miles …

Continue reading Holiday Inn, Winchester

Winchester High Street

Day 2. A walk around Winchester and to its cathedral

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the Holiday Inn Winchester we decided to leave our car behind and take the bus into the city centre.  With a stop at the end of the drive it couldn't have been easier as the journey only took 7 minutes. (Bus 64, day tickets £4). The bus terminated close to …

Continue reading Day 2. A walk around Winchester and to its cathedral

Winchester High Street

Day 1. A short break in Winchester

We planned an autumn break in the historic city of Winchester, located in Hampshire, south west England.  The previous night we'd stayed with family close by allowing us two full days to explore the city.  On arrival in the city, we left our car in the Chesil Street multi-storey car park just a couple of …

Continue reading Day 1. A short break in Winchester

Blenheim Palace

Afternoon Tea at Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the family home of the 12th Duke of Marlborough, as it has been for all the Dukes in the past 300 years.  It is the only non-royal house in England to hold the title of a palace. Location:  Blenheim Palace is located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire 8 …

Continue reading Afternoon Tea at Blenheim Palace

Barton's Mill, Old Basing

Bartons Mill, Old Basing, Basingstoke

Location: Bartons Mill is located in the picturesque village of Old Basing in Hampshire, just two miles east of Basingstoke.  Easily accessible by road Bartons Mill lies 43 miles south west of London and is less than 10 minutes drive from junction 6 of the M3 motorway. For guests arriving by train, Basingstoke is on …

Continue reading Bartons Mill, Old Basing, Basingstoke