Tall ship St. Hilda at sea (Image: St. Hilda Sea Adventures)
Chill has great views and the relaxing sound of the waves – or waves – against the hull, and has rounded up nine of the best places to stay on boats, from high-end London luxury to Scottish cruises, floating glamping pods to a miniature -Titanic.
Tower Bridge, London
One of the bedrooms of HMS Harpy overlooking Tower Bridge (Andrew Wadsworth)
Built in 1904 as the world’s first floating customs and excise house, HMS Harpy now offers elegant, self-catering accommodation with four bedrooms for up to 10 people with a perfect postcard view of Tower Bridge. Oak furniture from the 1920s, along with vintage prints and maps, add to the luxurious interior – and it’s just as impressive outside, with a dining table on deck to get the most of the view. If you can tear yourself away from the sumptuous galley and Egyptian linens, Borough Market is nearby and all the City of London attractions are across the river.
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St. Katharine Docks, London
Mandy Sue, formerly a marine tender, is a beautiful 1930s pinasse in the trendy St Katharine Docks near Tower Bridge. The boat offers two spacious bedrooms for four people and is fully equipped with everything you need for a short vacation. A previous guest said their young children loved their stay and called it “an adventure”. There are plenty of restaurants around the marina, and sights such as the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral are within walking distance of the dock.
Book it: Mandy Sue on Airbnb
Gloucester Quays
LV14 Sula lightship, Gloucester (Image: Jayt74)
For a vacation with a difference, stay on the Sula – one of the few surviving lightships that ply in the waters around Great Britain. Built in 1959, the Sula was stationed in Spurn Sandbank at the mouth of the Humber to guide shipping through the mouth. She is now anchored in Gloucester Quays and offers accommodation in her stylish two bedroom Humber Suite for up to four people. Full of charming details – like the original ladder that leads to the restored escape hatch – Sula also has two deck areas where guests can relax and watch the world go by. Explore the boutiques and restaurants around Gloucester’s historic docks or use the Sula as a base for other excursions – South Wales is less than an hour’s drive away.
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Beccles, Suffolk
Secret Water is a floating glamping pod in a marina and sleeps four people in two bedrooms. The stylish, modern decor makes the capsule an inviting place to stay, and there is a terrace for al fresco dining overlooking the calm waters. Rent a boat or kayak for the day and explore the Waveney River in the South Broads, or go fishing or bird watching. The beautiful beaches of Suffolk are just a short drive away, while Norwich for the shopping and history buffs is just 15 miles away.
Book it: Secret Water –
https://www.watersidebreaks.com/description/secretwater.htm
Liverpool
The Titanic boat in Liverpool (ell brown)
Everyone aboard the Titanic – no, not them! The Titanic Boat is a miniature version of the ill-fated cruise ship and is moored in the Liverpool Marina. This delightfully kitschy ship sleeps up to nine people in three bedrooms and has a quirky style that will make you smile. Plenty of dining and drinking options around the marina, with The Beatles Story, Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool close by. The city center is about half an hour’s walk away, where you can find cool independent shops on Bold Street and the Red Brick Market, as well as the main streets of Britain’s largest open air mall, Liverpool One.
Book it: Titanic Boat
Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire
The Misty Lady is a houseboat moored on the Rochdale Canal at Hebden Bridge and is ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway. A small deck at the bow offers a view over the water, and the interior is cozy and relaxed. Discover the creative spirit of Hebden Bridge, with its cobblestone streets and numerous independent craft shops, organic cafes and country pubs serving locally brewed ale. Climb the nearby Hardcastle Crags or enjoy long walks through the moors. Haworth, home of the Bronte sisters, is only five miles away and the city of Halifax is less than half an hour’s drive away.
Book it: Misty Lady
Oban, Western Highlands
Through the porthole on St. Hilda (St Hilda Sea Adventures)
Enjoy the rugged coastal landscape of the Western Highlands and the Hebrides from the deck of St Hilda, a wooden ketch that has participated in several tall ship races. Choose to relax in the Dumstaffnage Marina near Oban or book a cruise and explore islands like Skye, St. Kilda and Arran in the company of a professional skipper and on-board chef. Cruises on St. Hilda with six berths in three cabins still available for 2021 include a Mull Odyssey sailing to Iona, Staffa and the Ross of Mull in mid-July, and a wildlife cruise in the Inner Hebrides in September. The sister ships of St. Hilda also offer overnight stays with berths as well as cruises – check availability on the website.
Book it: St. Hilda Sea Adventures.
Edinburgh
The luxury houseboat The Four Sisters can accommodate up to four adults and two small children at its berth in Lochrin Basin near Fountainbridge in Edinburgh. An oak-lined interior creates a backdrop for the sumptuous design – there is a modern galley kitchen, a library for rainy days and a grill on deck when the sun is shining. There is even a massage chair in case you need to relax after a busy day of sightseeing! Edinburgh’s many attractions are a short distance away, from the iconic Royal Mile with Holyrood Palace below and Edinburgh Castle above to the haunted Mary King’s Close. Treat yourself to a coffee at the Elephant House, one of the birthplaces of Harry Potter, or visit the pubs and restaurants at the Grass Market.
Book it: The Four Sisters https://www.thefoursisters.co.uk/
Machynlleth, Powys, Wales
The Boatel at Machynlleth. (Airbnb)
For those who love boats but feel seasick away from the mainland, maybe this is the answer? Firmly in dry dock (unless it’s raining!), This ‘boatel’ sits on an acre of wildflower meadow in the beautiful Welsh countryside. As the winner of the shed of the year 2013, the Boatel is full of rustic charm, perfect for a romantic getaway. A wood-burning stove will keep you warm while you take in the views of Cader Idris, and if you want to explore, you’re on the edge of Snowdonia National Park and only about an hour from Harlech, Barmouth and Ludlow.
Book it: Machynlleth Boatel