French Brothers Ltd

About

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

French Brothers won 'Best Inland Canal/Riverboat Operator' in the 2011, 2012 and 2016 Group Travel Awards, have been awarded a Tripadvisor's Certificate of Excellence and were a 'Get your guide' top partner in 2018.

Day visitors to Windsor can choose either a short 40 minute return trip or a longer 2 hour return – both offer amazing views of the 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 2 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 Maidenhead and Runnymede, groups and individuals can enjoy a cruise to Windsor in the morning with the option to catch the return service in the afternoon.  An additional service is available from Runnymede that travels to Hampton Court.

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.

There is an extensive programme of special events including Sunday lunch cruises and afternoon tea cruises on 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?

Prices are as follows:
Adult return: £7.50
Child return: £5.00
Adult single: £4.50
Child single: £3.00

Royal Windsor Steamboat Express

With the arrival this summer of the Royal Windsor steam express, transporting passengers from Waterloo to Windsor by steam train, this one-hour French Brothers river cruise for all steam enthusiasts will perfectly complement a 'Steam Dreams' rail experience. 

Join us aboard genuine Victorian and Edwardian Steam Launches 'Nuneham' and 'Streatley', both of which have been meticulously restored to their former glory and have carried none other than Her Majesty the Queen. 

Relive the golden age of steam, as we cruise from Windsor Promenade to Boveney Lock. Returning with breath-taking views of Windsor Castle, Eton College, Mill house, Windsor Racecourse and The Brocas Meadows, this cruise is the ideal excursion for steam devotees and sightseers alike. 

Listen out for the unmistakeable sound of the steam whistle as the sister ships cruise past one another on this tranquil stretch of river, steeped in history. 

You may even be lucky enough to capture a photograph of the passing steamboat with the backdrop of her Majesty's favourite home; a rare sighting that could easily have been plucked from an old history book. 

This unique trip is excellent for those who have limited time and are keen to see Windsor's historic sites.

The Royal Windsor Steamboat Express runs Tuesdays between 4 June and 3 September with departures at: 10:00. 10:30, 11:30, 12:00, 13:00, 13:30, 14:30, 15:00, 16:00 and 16:30.