Welcome aboard Wyvenhoe!
The Thames sailing barge Wyvenhoe provides a chance to enjoy sailing on a 19th Century ship with the comfort and safety you would expect on a modern vessel.
Lovingly restored, she is a one of the small fleet of Thames sailing barges that have survived since the days when thousands of these craft plied their trade carrying cargo to and from London and other ports along the east coast of Britain, and across to mainland Europe.
Her authentic spritsail rig and distinctive traditional red sails are combined with her powerful auxiliary engine and modern safety equipment to make Wyvenhoe a fabulous vessel on which to sail. She is a staysail barge with five sails totalling 3,000 square feet of canvas.
Built in 1898 as a cargo carrying sailing ship, Wyvenhoe was converted to a motor coaster in 1923. She was a working motor driven cargo ship until sold in 1982 to be restored to sail again in 1984.
Wyvenhoe is still a working ship - but instead of cargo she carries people on holiday charters sailing in the Thames Estuary and the rivers of Essex, Kent and Suffolk or (by prior arrangement) from the Solent and some South coast ports.
Sailing opportunities
We provide day sails, weekend charters or longer trips for corporate guests and family sailors alike.
Wyvenhoe is an ideal base for artists and photographers. Training in art, photography, knot tying and seamanship can be provided. Special trips are also available for bird watching and visiting areas of natural beauty.
There are opportunities now available to sail aboard Wyvenhoe this Summer. See our sailing programme here.
Comfortable accommodation below deck
Below deck the former cargo holds have been converted to accommodate 12 passengers and up to 4 crew in comfort.
Wyvenhoe is carpeted and centrally heated with power, electric toilets and showers, pressurised hot water system and a fully-equipped kitchen. There are leather sofas in the saloon, television and air conditioning for the summer.
Safety equipment is carried as specified by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency together with safety lines around the decks and life jackets for all passengers and a life raft. Her radio and GPS equipment are modern safety features, as is her auxiliary engine and generator.
We provide a skipper and mate, and sometimes a third hand and a cook too. But we encourage all our guests to participate in sailing the ship if they wish.