Velvet Morning

Velvet Morning: Greater London

We know that staying on a houseboat might not be for everyone, but for those tempted by the idea, you won't get any better than this. The vessel itself is fifty-seven feet long and over a hundred years' old — not that you'd be able to tell from the delightfully modern interior. Behind the cabin doors, you'll find every amenity you could want and even a few you probably weren't expecting. The kitchen is plenty big enough to allow you to cook up hearty suppers and just behind it, you'll find a log burner that'll keep you toasty during the colder months. And if that wasn’t enough, the bathroom puts several studio flats we've seen to shame, boasting an elegant clawfoot tub for leisurely morning soaks.

Start your day with a cup of coffee in the cosy living area, then head upstairs and give your neighbours a wave from the top deck. When the weather’s on your side, we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to spend all day out here but if you fancy getting out and about, why not stretch your legs with a gentle waterside stroll? Soak up the sights and sounds of river life, then — when you’ve had enough of being on land — climb back aboard and spend the rest of the evening snuggled up by the fire. You can’t get much cosier than that.

Home truths:
*This house boat is small and narrow – this space is not suitable for those looking for a spacious place to unwind
*The toilet is a cassette toilet needs to be emptied every 3- 5 days – the host will do this
*Water is held in a tank on-board and needs topping up every few days – the host can do this
*The boat can sleep a maximum of four adults and one child, although it might start to feel like a bit of a squeeze at this upper limit
*The host will take care of topping up water supplies and emptying the toilet
*There are no onboard laundry facilities, but there's a laundrette seventeen minutes' walk away
*The boat cannot be moved unless with prior agreement with the host