Magpies and Butterflies - Blue Dutch Barge - Bourne End

Erica Brennan

Absolutely love our time on the blue barge so much we’ve stayed three times! Kate and Ed’s attention to detail is perfect , they demonstrate the highest level of service around. We can feel the stress melt away as soon as we park the car at the marina! The boat is beautifully decorated, Kate coordinates with local
Suppliers whether that’s breakfast boxes, assisting with dinner reservations (or having food catered on the boat) , and nothing is better than an afternoon floating down the Thames! Can’t wait to go again !

Irina Sweeney

We had a wonderful experience on the Blue Barge celebrating my birthday. Kate and Edward made sure that the day was truly special. Nothing was too much to ask!

The boat is simply gorgeous - picture perfect! The interior is very cosy and stylish. My husband loved the Nespresso machine and we all enjoyed the delicious tapas that Kate had arranged for us (and a glass of champagne, too!).

The river was beautiful - so picturesque and peaceful. We stopped on our way to have lunch in a riverside restaurant recommended by Kate. We had the best table (also arranged by Kate!) and the food was delicious.

It was a truly special day, more than just a boat trip - a unique & memorable experience. Thank you, Kate and Edward for making it so enjoyable and for looking after us so well. You are the best hosts!

We will be back!

Randa Muasher

Our trip on the boat was simply amazing and unique.... The crew were very friendly and made us feel more than welcome. We enjoyed the architectural creativity and the creativity of nature along side the river, which was stunning. To experience such beauty in one place and at same time gave us real pleasure. We enjoyed and and relaxed and went home refreshed. Simply the trip was unique and memeroble. I recommend it highly. I would do it again and again whether on same route or the alternative routes on offer, for varied experiences. We wish Kate and Edward great success and happiness.

Sara Brownleader

I cannot recommend Magpies and Butterflies more highly! The hosts, Kate and Edward, were so welcoming and hospitable.
The boat is beautifully presented with lovely seating inside and even a wood burner! It is immaculately clean and the bedroom is so spacious and comfortable with crisp white bed linen and sumptuous pillows.
We enjoyed a very informative talk by nutritionist Gemma while we travelled down the river, taking in the beautiful scenery. I am now more aware of what foods to avoid and what foods are essential for a long and healthy life.
Kate served us with drinks and we enjoyed the most delicious grazing platter of cut fruit, filled croissants, homemade flapjacks and more…
The hours flew by as we relaxed in the sunshine on the front of the boat, lounging on very comfy beanbags. A perfect way to spend a Saturday! I didn’t want to leave and really look forward to booking another trip on this boat with my family and friends.

Roger Smith

We hired both boats for a work event last week, absolutely brilliant, Kate and team are such nice people, the boats were great, cold and hot drinks as you needed and stunning scenery. A great experience and lovely boats with plenty of room inside and on deck. Highly recommended!

Amar Sandhu

We had a fantastic experience with magpies and butterflies? company today. Both Kate and Edward provided a very personal friendly experience. We had a sorrowful task of scattering ashes for our dear mum/mum in law/grandmother. The whole process was managed in such a thoughtful respectful manner by Kate and Edward it was truly remarkable. They even went the extra mile by taking us on a cruise along the river to Cookham which was lovely and so scenic. We will definitely be back under more joyful circumstances. Thank you so much for everything Kate and Edward.
5*service all the way

Clare Hopkins

A huge thank you to Kate and Edward for our fantastic skippered trip to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday. Everything was perfect, from the booking through to the delicious platter Kate organised for us and even the weather! Hugely recommend this very special river experience, it really is one in a million!

Rachel Massey

We stayed for 2 nights on board. The boat was clean, extremely well presented, stocked with locally sourced supplies and more than comfortable. A boutique hotel on the water.

We spent our first day walking along the river to Marlow, a wonderful town for browsing the many independent shops and enjoying some lunch. Then Kate and Ed took us on an evening skippered boat trip past stunning scenery only possible to see from the river, including a special view of Cliveden House, accompanied by a nice bottle of bubbles. We topped the evening off with a delicious Tapas meal at Corazon del Rio, a lovely restaurant on the marina.

After a comfortable nights sleep breakfast was delivered to us on the boat the following morning and we made a visit to the stunning Cliveden Estate. We had a relaxing afternoon reading on the bean bags on the deck of the boat whilst watching the passers by on the river, most of them being of the duck variety.

In summary a wonderful place to stay, hosts that prioritise your comfort and requirements, simply perfect if you are looking for somewhere that is that little bit different but with a touch of luxury.