Sunvil’s Edwardian riverboat, Genevieve, celebrates her 100th birthday

In celebration, Sunvil Holidays is offering £100 off ALL river charters aboard Genevieve in her centenary year, with day charter rates from just £60 per person

Enjoy a private river cruise on Genevieve (www.vintagethamescharters.com) from Hurley during June and early July. Celebrate her birthday with her and enjoy £100 off the usual charter price – day charter now from just £600 (for up to ten people) including captain, crew and five hours’ charter time – just £60 pp. Take Genevieve up stream and arrive in style at the picturesque riverside village of Henley-on-Thames. Or head downstream with a picnic basket (drinks and canapés to order, in addition to the hire charge) and arrive at the riverside entrance to the impressive country estate of Cliveden.

There is still availability on Genevieve during the Henley Royal Regatta (2 to 6 July), a highlight of the British summer sporting and social calendar. The Edwardian-style event features almost 90 rowing races a day and oarsmen dress in dazzling blazers, boaters, outrageous socks and club ties. Price is now just £999 total – £99 pp (ten passengers) during the regatta including captain, crew and five hours’ charter time (excludes 4 July).

Sunvil Holidays commissioned the extensive and painstaking restoration of Genevieve by Peter Freebody’s excellent boatyard. She is a unique, very rare and fine example of an historic saloon launch. Her restoration means she can now be enjoyed by future generations. Chris Wright, Managing Director of Sunvil Holidays says: “We were very excited and honoured that Genevieve was invited to be a part of The Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012 and, in 2014, Genevieve is happily celebrating her own centenary. It’s a wonderful re-birth of the river launch which was found rotting away in a canal only a few years ago.”

Vintage Genevieve would be perfect for celebrating a special party or anniversary with a small group of friends, and Sunvil Holidays is glad to quote on request for special occasion hire and to tailor-make arrangements to suit the event.

All trips are accompanied by two members of staff – a captain and an assistant to help navigate the locks and serve refreshments. Catering of any kind can be arranged on request. For more information or to book a river cruise on Genevieve – evening trips are also possible, as well as half or full-day hire – call Sunvil Holidays on 020 8758 4797 or visit www.vintagethamescharters.com.

Ends – 11 June 2014

Press: For further information, or to see Genevieve for yourself, please contact Camilla Colley at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 orc.colley@travelpr.co.uk. A selection of high-res images is available on request.

Sunvil’s Edwardian riverboat, Genevieve

River cruises for up to ten guests

Some facts and day trip itineraries

Constructed in 1914 out of the finest African mahogany and with an interior of polished teak, the 40-foot Genevieve was lovingly restored by Sunvil Holidays and re-launched in 2010. Genevieve’s return to her former glory was complete when she was invited to join a thousand other vessels, including the Royal Barge, for the Diamond Jubilee Pageant – one of the largest flotillas ever assembled on the Thames.

Prior to her restoration, Genevieve – built by Taylor and Bates of Chertsey – had been found rotting away on a canal in Lancashire after years of neglect. The extensive, painstaking restoration – commissioned by Sunvil Holidays (www.sunvil.co.uk) – finished in May 2010.

Genevieve is unique and very rare. Her saloon has bevelled windows and opening lights with port and starboard seating, as well as additional seating provided in the spacious, canopied forward cockpit and further small cockpit, aft. The launch is powered by a six-cylinder Sea Prince petrol engine, smartly sited under a teak and glass engine case. Should the weather prove inclement, the engine also supplies heat to the saloon and cockpit.

Moored at the Freebody Boatyard, Hurley, until mid July, when she will relocate to Richmond, and with seating for up to ten passengers, Genevieve is available for private charter from April to October each year, and hire charges are now from just £200 per hour.

DAY TRIP ITINERARIES INCLUDE…

This summer, why not celebrate a special occasion on board a vintage motor launch with a group of friends?

The Waterside Inn…foodies’ delight

Cruise along the river to the Roux brothers’ Michelin-starred Waterside Inn, in the delightful 16th century village of Bray, where an enchanting riverside setting, unpretentious atmosphere and exquisite food make for an excellent afternoon’s sojourn. Departing at 10.00 am and returning to Hurley at 5.00 pm, this seven-hour trip (including waiting time) now costs from just £800 – just £80 pp, excluding lunch. The Waterside Inn is well-equipped for diners arriving by water, with good mooring facilities.

Henley-on-Thames…a village visit

Take the Genevieve up stream and arrive in style at the picturesque Thames village of Henley-on-Thames. Here, travellers are free to explore all the quaint teashops and traditional pubs on offer before hopping back on board and returning to Hurley. Departing at 11.00 am and returning to Hurley at 4.00 pm, this five-hour trip (including waiting time) now costs from just £600 – just £60 pp.

Cliveden…a country estate

Head downstream with a picnic basket (drinks and canapés to order, in addition to the hire charge) and arrive at the riverside entrance to the impressive country estate of Cliveden. Now a National Trust property, in the roaring ‘20s Cliveden was the centre of a glittering social circle and the home of Waldorf and Nancy Astor. In the ‘60s, the estate became associated with the Profumo affair – it was where Christine Keeler famously met British Secretary of State for War, John Profumo. Departing at 10.00 am and returning to Hurley at 5.00 pm, this seven-hour trip (including waiting time) now costs from just £800 – just £80 pp. Entrance to the Cliveden Estate and its extensive riverside grounds costs from £9.50 adult and £4.75 child, and lunch or traditional afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the hotel’s restaurant. Advance booking advisable.

CELEBRATING A SPECIAL OCCASION?

The vintage Genevieve would be perfect for celebrating a special party or anniversary with a small group of friends, and Sunvil Holidays is glad to quote on request for special occasion hire and to tailor-make arrangements to suit the event.

All trips are accompanied by two members of staff – a captain and an assistant to help navigate the locks and serve refreshments. Catering of any kind can be arranged on request, at extra cost.

For more information or to book a river cruise on Genevieve – evening trips are also possible, as well as half or full-day hire – call Sunvil Holidays on 020 8758 4797 or visit www.vintagethamescharters.com.

Ends – 11 June 2014

Press: For further information, please contact Camilla Colley at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email c.colley@travelpr.co.uk.