boat trips from windsor promenade

The definitive guide to Royal Windsor UK.

French Brothers Boat Trips

French Brothers have been operating riverboats on the Thames since 1978. They have grown to become one of the largest passenger boat operators in the UK & now have a fleet of 13 large boats with capacities of up to 180 passengers.

French Brothers offer a huge range of public boat trips & special events along the Upper Thames. These include round trips as well as trips between riverside towns.

Trips are available from:

Windsor – Runnymede – Maidenhead – Staines – Chertsey – Hampton Court

Windsor Castle

Where to Stay

Where to Eat

The Windsor 40 minute trip is one of our most popular. Departing regularly from Windsor Promenade.

This is our most wheelchair friendly trip and really popular with young kids.

A great way to travel to Windsor by avoiding the traffic, returning back to Maidenhead in the afternoon.

This includes an option for a Cream Tea Hamper for advanced online bookings, which is very popular.

Arrive in Windsor by river in time for lunch with a peaceful cruise back in the afternoon.

Runnymede to Hampton Court Service, calling at Staines upon Thames, Chertsey Lock and Sunbury Lock.

www.frenchbrothers.co.uk

Tel:  01753 851900, email:   [email protected].

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You are here: Home > Things to Do > French Brothers Ltd

French Brothers Ltd

Type: boat trip.

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Tel +44 01753 851900

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• Click here for your AccessAble Access Guide

Book Tickets Online

French Brothers run boat trips on the River Thames from Windsor and Runnymede. Choose from a short return trip or a full-day cruise.

Day visitors to Windsor can choose either a short 40-minute round trip or a longer 2-hour return; both offer amazing views of Windsor Castle. Discounted tickets can be booked online, with further discounts available for groups of 20 or more. Groups of 20+ should contact the bookings office . 

There are two scheduled services offering visitors to Windsor the opportunity to take the boat and cruise to this historic town arriving in style. With regular sailings from Runnymede, groups and individuals can enjoy a cruise to Windsor in the morning with the option to catch the return service in the afternoon. 

All of the French Brothers fleet are available for private charter. They are perfect for all milestone events such as birthday parties, anniversaries, wedding receptions and social functions. With a fleet of 16 craft including modern vessels and two genuine coal-fired steamboats they have a cruise to suit all tastes and budgets. 

Corporate customers can charter a boat for an off-site dinner as part of a conference, offering a refreshing change of scenery. The River Thames is easily accessible from all of the town centre and riverside hotels. 

Longer trips can be booked to include a marvellous boxed afternoon tea to enjoy as you cruise. There is an extensive programme of special events on our fantastic Victorian steam boats. These can all be booked online at www.frenchbrothers.co.uk

French Brothers Boats Windsor Racecourse raceday river shuttle service

French Brothers are proud of their association with Windsor Racecourse and offer a return shuttle service on race days.

With fully licensed bars on all boats, why not enjoy a drink on board as you cruise?

2023 prices are as follows: Adult return: £8.50 Child return: £6.00 Adult single: £5.00 Child single: £3.50

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Guide prices.

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

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Accessibility

• Guide Dogs Permitted
• Ramp/Level Access
• BBQ Food Served
• Catering for groups
• Catering Provided
• Full liquor licence
• On-Site cafe/restaurant - Bars and light snacks. Afternoon tea hampers (on selected cruises. Booked online only)
• Packed lunches by arrangement
• Picnic Site
• Refreshments Available
• Vegetarians catered for

Children & Infants

• Family Friendly, Children Welcome

Establishment Features

• All weather attraction - Heated vessels for winter cruising
• Audio Tours
• Dogs Accepted - Well-behaved four-legged friends on a lead are most welcome!
• Event Venue
• Groups welcome
• Guided tours
• Licensed for alcohol
• Open all year round
• Open on bank holidays
• Prior Booking Recommended
• Special Opening for Groups by Arrangement
• Stag and hen parties welcome
• Team / Corporate Activities

Leisure Facilities

• Themed Nights

Parking & Transport

• Coach parking - At Windsor Coach Park, Alma Road, charges apply
• Parking (charge)
• Railway station within walking distance

Payment Methods

• American Express accepted
• Approx length of visit - 40 minutes and 2 hour trips
• Blue Badge Guides admitted free
• Can be packages by 3rd parties
• Delta accepted
• Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.
• JCB accepted
• Maestro Accepted
• MasterCard accepted
• Max group size - 999
• Min group size - 20
• Open by appointment outside normal opening times
• Solo accepted
• Sterling Travellers Cheques accepted
• TIC Staff Admitted Free
• Visa accepted

Provider Preferences

• In countryside
• In town/city centre
• No Smoking Attraction
• Outdoor Attraction

Specialist Features

• Educational Groups
• Information Point
• Marketed Towards Children
• Marketed Towards Families
• Marketed Towards Senior Citizens
• Marketed towards student/youth

Tours and Demonstrations

• Educational Visits Accepted
• Guided Tours Available for Groups
• Guided Tours Available for Individuals

Travel & Trade

• Commission/net rates apply
• Group discounts available
• Packed lunches available

French Brothers gift vouchers

Purchase a French Brothers Boats gift voucher and it can be redeemed on any trip including steamboat cruises and Sunday lunch cruises.

Vouchers for Gifts and Experiences - redeem this special offer immediately

More offers like this - Vouchers for Gifts and Experiences

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

• Excellent 722
• Very Good 308
• Average 109
• Terrible 42

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Map & directions, road directions.

Nearest major road is M4

Public Transport Directions

Nearest stations are Windsor & Eton Riverside (South West Railway) and Windsor & Eton Central (Great Western Railway).

Opening Times

* Out of peak season, trip will run subject to river conditions and available daylight.

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French Brothers (Windsor) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

French Brothers Boat Trips – Windsor

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French Brothers - Public Boat Trips

French Brothers now offer a huge range of public boat trips and special events along the Upper Thames. These include round trips as well as trips between riverside towns. Trips are available from: Windsor, Runnymede, Maidenhead, Staines, Chertsey, Walton, Hampton Court.

For more details and to book : CLICK HERE

Attraction details

01753 851900, https://www.frenchbrothers.co.uk/public-trips/, windsor promenade barry avenue, windsor, berkshire nearest postcode: sl41qx, attention please.

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Runnymede to Windsor Service

Leaving from the Runnymede Boathouse at 11.00, the boat will cruise upstream through Old Windsor Lock and continues through the pretty villages of Old Windsor and Datchet. Travelling through the grounds of Windsor Castle, the boat then passes through Romney Lock and arrives in Windsor at 12.30.

Leaving from the Runnymede Boathouse at 11:00, cruise upstream through Old Windsor, passing the Bells of Ouzeley, Datchet and the Home Park with views of the Castle, we ascend the impressive Romney Lock with a glimpse of Eton College and arrive in Windsor below the Castle just upstream of the Sir Christopher Wren House Hotel. The boat passes through two locks and arrives in Windsor at 12:30.

The return trip departs at 16:00 from the Windsor Promenade arriving at the Runnymede Boathouse at 17:30.

2024 Season

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• Windsor 40 min
• Windsor 2 hour
• Runnymede 45 min
• Runnymede - Windsor
• Maidenhead - Windsor
• Runnymede - Hampton Court
• Windsor Bus & Boat Trip
• Maidenhead 40 min
• Windsor Wildlife Explorer Trip

WINDSOR RACES

• Public shuttle
• Racegoers river package
• Staines-upon-Thames Day
• Fireworks shuttle
• Online Gift Vouchers

WINDSOR TRIPS

• 40 minute trip
• 2 hour cruise
• 2 hour lunch cruise
• Luxury tea cruise
• Steamboat tea cruise

RUNNYMEDE TRIPS

• 45 minute round trip
• Small group lunch cruise
• Small group luxury tea cruise
• Magna Carta Vintage Cruises

MAIDENHEAD TRIPS

• 40 minute round trip
• Cream tea cruise
• Heritage Centre & Tea Cruise
• Autumn colours cruise

SERVICE TRIPS

• Steamboat serivce
• Maidenhead - Runnymede
• Runnymede - Maidenhead
• Staines - Walled Garden
• Staines - Hampton Court
• Chertsey - Hampton Court

COMBINED TRIPS

• Royal garden & river cruise
• Bekonscot model village
• Windsor & Eton brewery tour
• Staines & walled garden
• Santa special lunch cruise
• Festive tea cruise

CHILDRENS TRIPS

• Runnymede 45 minute trip
• Windsor 40 minute trip
• Jungle book cruise
• 45 minute trip
• 2½ hour lunch cruise

PARTY PACKAGES

• Riverboat shuffle
• Riverboat shuffle plus
• Riverboat shuffle deluxe
• Summer sensation
• In steam, in style
• Night fever
• Hawaiian night
• Shaken not stirred
• Murder on the Thames
• Caribbean sounds
• New Orleans jazz cruise
• Live while you're young
• Monte Carlo
• Winter warmer
• Christmas afloat

BESPOKE EVENTS

• Boat hire charges
• Steam boats
• Entertainment
• Decorations

SPECIAL CHARTERS

• Windsor races
• Henley regatta
• Henley festival
• Swan upping
• Hampton Court flower show
• Ashes scattering
• Celebration of life cruise
• Private hire for small groups
• TV & Film
• Sunday lunch cruise
• Steamboat lunch cruise
• Royal Steamboat Voyage
• Steamboat 1 Hour Cruise
• Steamboat Express
• Autumn colours
• Bird & wildlife cruise
• Booking Forms
• Supporting Documents
• Help For Organisers
• New Queen of the Thames
• Lady Margaret Anne
• Windsor Sceptre
• Windsor Sovereign
• Windsor Majesty
• Windsor Monarch
• Windsor Royal
• Windsor Regent
• SL Streatley
• Bray Royale
• Windsor Promenade
• Runnymede Boathouse
• Maidenhead Promenade
• Hampton Court bridge
• Sunbury lock
• Walton Anglers
• Shepperton lock
• Chertsey lock
• Penton Hook lock
• Bell Weir lock
• Staines town hall
• Cookham - The Ferry
• Boulters lock
• Marlow - Higginson park
• Henley-on-Thames
• Clewer Boathouse
• French Brothers
• T & C's
• Useful Links
• Public Trips

Racegoers River Package

Combine the excitement of racing with a picturesque trip to the racecourse and back on the Thames - ideal for couples, families and groups.

Your Club Enclosure ticket give access to the Club Grandstand, Royal Windsor Grandstand, Paddock Lawn and Silver Ring, offering a close up view of the horses in the Parade Rings and the Winners Enclosure next to the winning post (dress code applies).

TICKETS INCLUDE:

• Club Enclosure Ticket.
• Return river taxi from Windsor Promenade.
• 2 x £5.00 drink vouchers.
• £2.00 Totepool betting voucher.
• Shortbread biscuit.

Sailing Times

RACE FIXTURE DATES >>

£42.00 each**

** The Racegoers River Package is currently only available through       Windsor Racecourse >>

Please follow this link for our TERMS AND CONDITIONS >>

The Racegoers River Package is currently only available through Windsor Racecourse. Please call 01753 498400 for bookings.

Latest news and up and coming offers

French Brothers Ltd. The Clewer Boathouse Clewer Court Road Windsor Berkshire SL4 5JH. Tel. 01753 851900