Afternoon Tea Concert Cruise - Jill Morton, piano

A luxurious afternoon tea cruise with a spectacular piano recital aboard The Piano Boat 'Rachmaninov'.

Beautiful music and an experience for every occasion in the world's most intimate concert hall

Please note that access to the boat is via a set of 12 steps from the road to the canal. There are 3 steps down into the boat after boarding, the first of which is quite steep. There is a handrail both for the canal-side steps, and the boat steps.

Enjoy the tranquility of the canals, and elegant afternoon tea, and a carefully crafted classical piano recital in your own exclusive environment. The Piano Boat 'Rachmaninov' will be your venue - a unique floating concert hall opened in 2021, and designed specifically for musical gatherings, holidays and events.

'Everything about the experience was excellent. The comfort and warmth aboard the Piano Boat, the leisurely cruise, the clarity and expression of the piano recital, the intimate setting, the sumptuous tea, and the hospitality and friendship of the hosts and fellow passengers/guests. It's almost impossible to pick a favorite amongst so much good.'
- philipbR2912IB on TripAdvisor, December 2022

The Piano Boat is host to a brand-new Steinway Model A grand piano, ensuring you always the finest musical experience.

We only take 10 guests each cruise, so you will never feel over-crowded. 

12:45    |   Boarding
13:00   |   Welcome drink and departure
17:00   |   Return to base and disembarkation

After departure, we will cruise for approximately half an hour before mooring up in a quiet spot under the trees for the recital. Enjoy select classical favourites, and perhaps be introduced to some previously-unheard gems. Your performer of the day will personally guide you through the programme, and the musical element of the afternoon will last 45-60 minutes.

Slowly cruising back to base, enjoy a handmade afternoon tea prepared on board and Champagne for the return journey.

The Pianist - Jill Morton

"This was playing of extraordinary sophistication, balancing subtlety and directness to a quite remarkable degree" - Daily Evening Telegraph

This will be Jill’s third performance on board in 2025. Hearing her perform is like listening to a tapestry of sound, and her programmes are always full of musical delights with fascinating stories.

Jill enjoys a highly successful career as soloist, chamber musician and teacher. Her performances have taken her throughout Britain and across Europe and have received critical acclaim. Since making her professional debut, she has performed in all the major concert halls throughout Britain and has been heard on BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night as soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

The Chef - Rhiana Tayama

A Leith's-trained chef, Rhiana does all the catering for cruises single-handedly and on board. Everything is made from scratch using fresh ingredients, and the quality of her afternoon teas has been reviewed as being 'better than any of the major London hotels'.

'The boat is beautifully fitted, the tea was the best I have had in a long time (rivals Claridges or any London venue). Masa and Rhiana were perfect hosts, made us feel very welcomed.'

'...the afternoon tea was up there with the best I’ve ever had...'

'From start to finish it was an absolute delight! Rhiana and Masayuki skilfully segued from immaculate, delicious hosting (excellent, home-made afternoon tea lavished on each member of the audience with superb care and attention to detail), to a stunning and brilliant performance on the piano from Masayuki, to steering and managing the boat...Multi-talented, lovely people. We can not recommend the whole experience enough and are already thinking about who we can gift it to! Rhiana and Masayuki thank you so much for a wonderful afternoon that we will remember fondly always.'

Meeting point

NEAR: The River Garden, Moorhall Road, Harefield, Uxbridge, UB9 6PE

Please ensure you are at the meeting point between 12:30 and 12:45. We regret that we are unable to wait for guests not arriving by the designated time.

Parking is available on the roadside (non-restricted), and you will receive full details including a map ahead of your booked cruise date. The nearest underground stations are Uxbridge and Northwood, then a bus or taxi will take you to the meeting point.

The Piano Boat cannot take responsibility for your vehicle or possessions, so please ensure you do not leave any valuables in the car.

Please note that access to the boat is not step-free and unfortunately is not suitable for wheelchairs.