Sailing Barge May

Full of character and sensitively maintained, at 121 years old, the Sailing Barge May
is one of the oldest sailing barges still working today. 

She is licensed to carry 40 passengers, and is available for charter through
Thames & Orwell Marine Services by completing the contact us page or
by any of the methods listed below.

Not just a boat trip on the River Orwell, something a little different. Spend a day out, an afternoon out or an evening cruising the Orwell as it winds through Ipswich Docks, past beautiful Suffolk countryside, the Royal Harwich Yacht Club and Pin Mill, home of the famous Butt & Oyster pub, the Pin Mill Studio and the Pin Mill Sailing Club.  See the impressive buildings that house the Ipswich High School and the Orwell Park School, where the observatory tower is still used to this day by the Orwell Astronomical Society. You will also see the many yachts that moor at Woolverstone Marina and the Suffolk Yacht Harbour at Levington.  The river continues down to the major ports of Felixstowe and Harwich Harbour.  We may set the foresail and the topsail for you to experience the magnificence of these beautiful craft.

Not just a boat trip on the River Thames either.  We depart from St Katherine’s Pier or Tower Pier passing by Canary Wharf, the Royal Docks, Greenwich, the O2 arena, under the new cable car and onwards through the Thames Barrier.  Your cruise is completed with the opening of Tower Bridge, a fantastic sight for both our passengers and tourists watching us go through.

Charter the barge for a celebration party such as a special birthday, a hen party, an engagement or wedding. Wondering what to do for the next get together away from the office?  We will make the occasion as formal or informal as you like.  Either way we create an atmosphere that is friendly and relaxed.  We can find a catering and drinks package that will suit every budget and you will find a few examples to download under food and drink and on our wine list.

Brand new for 2013.  We have introduced a lunch and supper club and will be regularly promoting these in Ipswich Dock, the river Orwell and the River Thames.  For a boat trip on our barge you can now cruise these rivers on the Sailing Barge May.  Also, you can follow the 52nd Pin Mill Barge Match on the May, the first time we have followed the match!

See our pages on how you can become involved with this very special old lady of the barging community.