Join members of the Company and friends on a cruise following the Swan-Uppers along the River Thames from Caversham Bridge, Reading to Mapledurham Lock on the Alexandra, an open sided boat.

Swan-Upping is an annual tradition when the Kings’s Swan Marker, together with the Swan Uppers of The Vintners and The Dyers Companies, mark and examine all the swans on the Thames with traditionally uniformed crews, rowing traditional skiffs.

The Alexandra  will accompany the skiffs up river, stopping whenever a family of swans is spotted and the cry “All-Up” is heard. The swans are then surrounded by the skiffs, lifted from the water and examined for injury or disease, then weighed and ringed before being returned to the river.

As with all wildlife trips, there is no guarantee that the swan-uppers will find any cygnets while the party from the Water Conservators are on board, but it will be an enjoyable trip in good company.

Boarding is at 9.45am, all aboard by 10am. The vessel will sail alongside the Swan-Uppers when they depart upstream  from Reading, and travel with the flotilla to Mapledurham. A cash bar is available on board for beverages and drinks. The Alexandra arrives back in Reading  at 1pm. For those who wish to stay, lunch can be arranged at a nearby restaurant.

The cost of the Swan-Upping trip is £28.00. per person.

To join this cruise please book direct at thamesrivercruise.co.uk and contact Georgina Hall georgina@gmhall.co.uk who can let you know parking and lunch arrangements, by Monday 22 June 2026.