Afternoon Tea Concert Cruise - Anthony Hewitt, 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.

'An incredibly unique experience like no other. Cruising aboard the majestic Piano boat, serenaded by a world class pianist and served 5* canapés with champagne - perfect in every way.'
- Review on Tripadvisor, May 2025

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.

Musician - Anthony Hewitt, piano

Anthony Hewitt is an award-winning British concert pianist and founder and Artistic Director of the Ulverston International Music Festival. Internationally acclaimed for his commanding musicianship, poetic insight, and virtuosic brilliance, he has enjoyed a distinguished performing career spanning more than two decades.

Anthony first gained international recognition as a prize-winner at the William Kapell International Piano Competition in Washington, D.C., and has since appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, and the National Symphony Orchestra in the USA.

A frequent recitalist at Wigmore Hall and soloist at major venues including Royal Festival Hall and Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, he has performed extensively across Europe, North America, and Asia. He is also a committed chamber musician, collaborating regularly with artists including violinist Daniel Rowland and cellists Maja Bogdanović and Thomas Carroll. Festival appearances have included the Stift International Music Festival in the Netherlands, festivals in Cividale del Friuli, and the Beijing International Music Festival & Academy.

His recordings for Naxos, Divine Art, and Champs Hill Records have attracted widespread acclaim, while his album Protégé, featuring the Liszt and Reubke sonatas, received a recommendation from Gramophone Magazine.

Alongside his performing career, Anthony is Professor of Piano at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and is widely respected for his work with emerging young musicians. He is also known for his imaginative outreach projects, most notably “Olympianist”, in which he cycled the length of Britain with a piano, giving a recital every evening in support of charity and music education.

PROGRAMME:

Fantasia Op.77 - Beethoven
Liebestraum No. 3 - Liszt
Liebesleid - Kreisler/Rachmaninoff
Widmung - Schubert/Liszt
Auf Dem Wasser zu Singen - Schubert/Liszt
Ondine from Gaspard de la Nuit - Ravel
Barcarolle Op.53 - Chopin

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.