Welcome

 

You can now experience life on board Greta during one of the daily sailing trips around the Thames Estuary. You can chose to either stay on deck or use the lounge below deck. We provide tea/coffee but suggest that you bring sandwiches, snacks and cold drinks as the trip may last up to 6 hours. Maximum of up to 12 passengers on each trip.

We depart and return from the South Quay, Whitstable Harbour, Kent.  Whitstable is on the North Kent Coast  about 7 miles (11.5 km) from Canterbury.

 

Find us on Google maps

The boat trips are subject to tide & weather conditions.

Greta is an historic Thames Sailing Barge launched over 120 years ago in 1892. As a working cargo barge she carried  ammunition, beer, grain, malt and building products. Although Greta no longer carries cargo she still works providing Thames Sailing Barge day trips for individuals and private charters.

'Greta'  is listed (no. 206)  on the UK National Historic Ships Fleet Register.

Association of Dunkirk Little Ships website'Greta' took part in the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940, she is the oldest Dunkirk Little Ship that is still working today and is a member of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.  

  

Click on the link below to book online now (we add scheduled sailing dates throughout the sailing season which is usually from April till late September/early October). You can also order a Gift Vouchers that can be redeemed later in the sailing season.

BOOK ON LINE  or ORDER A GIFT VOUCHER 

 

You can also have private use of 'Greta' for up to 12 passengers  by booking a private charter

 

BOOK A PRIVATE CHARTER - WEEK DAY 

 

BOOK A PRIVATE CHARTER - SAT, SUN or BANK  HOLIDAY

One of Greta’s most popular trips is a visit to the World War II Army Forts designed by Guy Maunsell. The Forts can be seen from Whitstable and Herne Bay.
 We regularly sail through the Kentish Flats Wind Farm, out to the Red Sands WWII Army Forts or towards Herne Bay Pier, Reculver Tower and back to Whitstable Harbour.
 

On another trip we could take a relaxing sail up the River Swale, under Kingsferry Bridge and see the wreck of the USS Montgomery off the Isle of Sheppey. We often watch the seals and seal pups sunning themselves, or lazily playing in the shallow water. 

 Trips around the Isle of Sheppey can also be arranged but due to tides would need to be a longer day sail.

The day can be as relaxing or active as you like, either sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet whilst enjoying the view of the Kent Coast, or get involved with the sailing, hoisting the sails, winding the leeboards or taking the helm. The day is yours to enjoy and Skipper Steve Norris and crew are there to ensure you have a safe, relaxed experience on this lovely historic(1892) Thames Sailing Barge. 

Spaces are very limited on all sailings as we only carry a maximum of 12 passengers on any sailing. On Thames Sailing Barge Match days this is restricted to 8 passengers.  For last minute bookings Contact the Greta Skipper Steve Norris on 07711 657919 to check availability.

These trips can last up to 6 hours so bring food and cold drinks with you.  On bright sunny days we suggest a hat together with sun glasses, sun protection cream and a light jacket/fleece.

 Flat shoes on board please.

Safety Notes for all Passengers

Passengers board and disembark at their own risk via a near vertical ladder attached to the harbour wall. Passengers must ensure that they wear suitable clothing and flat footwear. A safety briefing is given on board prior to sailing.

Steve Norris - Greta Skipper - Tel: 07711 657919

 

PLEASE READ - As we may need to postpone the trip due to high winds or other poor weather conditions forecast for the Thames Estuary, YOU MUST telephone Greta's Skipper STEVE NORRIS (07711 657919) on the evening before your sailing  date to check sailing times  & weather conditions.

 All Barge sailings are at the discretion of Greta's Skipper Steve Norris.

 

NOTE - WHEN BOOKING EITHER BY TELEPHONE OR ON-LINE YOU ARE AGREEING WITH OUR TERMS &CONDITIONS

The Greta sails from the South Quay of Whitstable Harbour, Kent, UK. 'Greta' The Historic Thames Sailing Barge (1892)

 

Our Whitstable Harbour mooring is adjacent to the Harbour Garden Café. Seafood Restaurant & Café

 

 

 

Greta Thames Sailing Barge Day Trip (up to 6 hours)

Greta Thames Sailing Barge
  • Description
  • More Details

Boat Trips from the South Quay of Whitstable Harbour on board the historic (1892) Thames Sailing Barge 'Greta') gently *sailing around the Thames Estuary for up to 6 hours.

With the Skippers permission you can help sail the barge or just sit back and relax and let the crew do the work!

We recommend that you bring food & cold drinks with  you as these trips can last for up to 6 hours. We provide tea & coffee from the galley. You can either stay on deck or take a seat below deck. On warm sunny days don't forget your hat, sun glasses, sun cream & camera. A light fleece may also come in handy.

Flat shoes on board please!

Up to a Maximum of 12 passengers  on all sailing trips

(up to a  maximum of 8 passengers during a Barge Match when we are taking part in the event)

*Part or all of the sailing trip may be under power of the engine as setting the sails depends upon weather conditions in the Thames Estuary. We prefer to sail whenever possible as we then use less diesel.

 

 

Greta Thames Sailing Barge Day Trip around the Thames Estuary. 

We depart/return from the South Quay, Whitstable Harbour, Kent. 

PRICES ARE PER PASSENGER

 

DURING JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2014

(£48 Mon-Fri) 

(£54 Sat-Sun or UK Bank Holiday)

EXCLUDES THAMES BARGE MATCH DATES

*ADDITIONAL SAILING DATES/TIMES WILL BE ADDED THROUGHOUT THE 2014 SAILING SEASON -  IF YOUR PREFERRED DATE IS NOT SHOWN PLEASE PURCHASE  A GIFT VOUCHER WHICH CAN BE REDEEMED AT A LATER DATE. 

 

Up to a maximum of 12 passengers on each trip on board 'Thames Sailing Barge Greta'

Greta standard Day Trips are usually up to 6 hours so bring food & cold drinks with you. 

(We supply Tea & Coffee) 

Please arrive 15-30 minutes before the departure time

As we may need to postpone the trip due to high winds or other poor weather conditions forecast for the Thames Estuary, YOU MUST telephone Greta's Skipper STEVE NORRIS (07711 657919) on the evening before your sailing  date to check sailing times  & weather conditions.

 

All Barge sailings are at the discretion of Greta's Skipper Steve Norris.

Enjoy a relaxing day (up to 6 hours) on board the historic (1892) Thames Sailing Barge 'Greta' with Skipper Steve Norris and his crew. 

Sailing depends on weather and wind conditions and is at the Skipper's discretion, therefore, some or even all of the boat trip may be under the power of a diesel engine.   As we may need to cancel your trip due to unsuitable weather conditions, please add a mobile phone no. to your booking so we can contact you. In this event we will re-schedule your sailing date.

 

( We moor next to the Harbour Garden Café on the South Quay, Whitstable Harbour CT5 1AB)

Maximum of 12 passengers on ALL trips with a maximum of 8 passengers if Greta is taking part in a Thames Barge Match.

Greta Thames Sailing Day Trips are usually up to 6 hours long so bring food & cold drinks with you.  Thames Barge Match Days are usually shorter.

(We supply Tea & Coffee) 

Please note that where 'FULLY BOOKED' is shown you need to select another date.

Week Day (Mon-Fri) 1 Day Private Charter - Greta Thames Sailing Barge for up to 12 passengers *excludes UK Bank holidays

Greta Thames Sailing Barge
  • Description

£580 Charter (Private use of Greta for up to 12 passengers during a weekday (Mon-Fri)

Week Day (Mon-Fri) Private Charter - Greta Thames Sailing Barge for up to 12 passengers

We depart/return from the South Quay, Whitstable Harbour, Kent.

As we may need to postpone the trip due to high winds or other poor weather conditions forecast for the Thames Estuary, YOU MUST telephone Greta's Skipper STEVE NORRIS (07711 657919) on the evening before your sailing  date to check sailing times  & weather conditions.

All Barge sailings are at the discretion of Greta's Skipper Steve Norris.

 

We recommend that you contact Steve Norris (Greta's Skipper) on 07711 657919 to discuss available dates before making a Private Charter  booking on-line 

All trips unless specified depart from & return to Whitstable Harbour CT5 1AB

 We moor next to the Harbour Garden Café on the South Quay, Whitstable Harbour CT5 1AB)

You can drop passengers off inside the harbour.  Where a dates falls on a UK Bank Holiday the cost is £540

Up to a maximum of 12 passengers

Please arrive 15-30 minutes before the departure time

 

Sailing depends on weather and wind conditions and is at the Skipper's discretion, therefore, some or even all of the boat trip may be under the power of a diesel engine.   As we may need to cancel your trip due to unsuitable weather conditions, please add a mobile phone no. to your booking so we can contact you. In this event we will re-schedule your sailing date.

 Maximum of 12 passengers on private charters with a maximum of 8 passengers on Thames Barge Race Match days.

Greta Thames Sailing Barge Charters are usually up to 6 hours long so bring food & cold drinks with you.

(We supply Tea & Coffee) 

Sat, Sun or UK Bank Holiday 1 Day Private Charter - Greta Thames Sailing Barge for up to 12 Passengers

Greta Thames Sailing Barge
  • Description

£650 Charter (Private use of Greta for up to 12 passengers on a Sat, Sun or UK Bank Holiday)

Sat, Sun or Bank Holiday Private Charter - Greta Thames Sailing Barge  for up to 12 Passengers

 Where a date falls on a Thames Barge Race Match day in which Greta is taking part, the cost is the same but limited to up to 8 passengers.

We depart/return from the South Quay, Whitstable Harbour, Kent.

 

As we may need to postpone the trip due to high winds or other poor weather conditions forecast for the Thames Estuary, YOU MUST telephone Greta's Skipper STEVE NORRIS (07711 657919) on the evening before your sailing  date to check sailing times  & weather conditions. All Barge sailings are at the discretion of Greta's Skipper Steve Norris.

We recommend that you contact Steve Norris (Greta's Skipper) on 07711 657919 to discuss available dates before making a Private Charter  booking on-line 

All trips unless specified depart from & return to the South Quay, Whitstable Harbour Kent CT5 1AB

 We moor next to the Harbour Garden Café on the South Quay, Whitstable Harbour 

You can drop passengers off inside the harbour.

Up to a maximum of 12 passengers

Please arrive 15-30 minutes before the departure time

Sailing depends on weather and wind conditions and is at the Skipper's discretion, therefore, some or even all of the boat trip may be under the power of a diesel engine.   As we may need to cancel your trip due to unsuitable weather conditions, please add a mobile phone no. to your booking so we can contact you. In this event we will re-schedule your sailing date.

( Greta Thames Sailing Barge Charters are usually up to 6 hours long so bring food & cold drinks with you.

(We supply Tea & Coffee)