Cruising into the Thames’ rich past

Winston Churchill – inspiring politician, leader, soldier, orator, writer and artist. ACE Study Tours’ new cruise along the River Thames on board the magnificent Spirit of Chartwell, offers a truly unique insight into this great man.

This is the only tour and the only vessel to explore the route from Weybridge to Chatham in such style and luxury, yet with the flexibility to step off at landing (as opposed to mooring) points and see places from an amazing new perspective.

Highlights include:

• Evening reception on board Havengore – the boat that carried Sir Winston Churchill along the Thames during his state funeral in 1965. This is followed by a stunning dinner cruise along the Thames with the lights of London as the backdrop, mooring overnight at Tower Bridge.

• Excursion to Cliveden House. Once popular with monarchs, politicians and celebrities, it was the hub of a hectic social whirl where guests included everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Winston Churchill, and President Roosevelt to George Bernard Shaw. It is also infamously associated with the Profumo Affair!

• Drink in the atmosphere of Tilbury Fort, protector of London from the 16th century through to World War II. It is only a few miles from London and yet as Paul Pattison, Senior Archeological Investigator at English Heritage says, "It has that isolated wild feel about it."

This is a cruise steeped in England’s rich past, and more recent, history with visits to the War Cabinet Rooms, Blenheim Palace, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich and more, much more.

8 departures in July, August, September 2010. 5 nights. Costs from £950 per person, inclusive of all meals, all entrances, crew gratuities, based on two sharing.

For more information and bookings, visit acestudytours.co.uk.