"We had breakfast every morning on the top deck with pastries from the local shop." That's what a guest had to say about our Dutch barge at St Katharine Docks. Built in 1916 and moored beside Tower Bridge, with the whole boat and the sun deck yours. At night, settle in by the wood-burning stove in the saloon. A main cabin with a queen bed and a second cabin with two single beds sleep up to four. It's about a quarter mile to Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and Tower Hill Underground.
Our barge is a 1916 Dutch build, converted for stays and moored in the secure, sheltered marina at St Katharine Docks. Guests are often surprised by the room on board, with more space than a hotel and the whole boat to themselves. She has earned a long run of top guest ratings from families and couples alike.
The two cabins sit at opposite ends of the boat, so there is privacy between them. The main cabin has a queen bed, and the aft cabin has two single beds with a small berth between them that suits a young child. In between is the saloon, with a sofa, a wood-burning stove, and a TV, opening to a compact galley with a breakfast bar. There is one bathroom with a shower, and steps lead down into the cabins from the main deck.
Up top is the sun deck, with timber chairs and a table for morning coffee and views across the harbor to the Thames beyond. The marina is quiet and well kept, with a coffee and pastry shop, restaurants, and a Tesco Express a short walk along the dock.
HIGHLIGHTS
•A converted 1916 Dutch barge moored at St Katharine Docks, beside Tower Bridge
•About a quarter mile to Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and Tower Hill Underground
•Private sun deck with harbor and Thames views
•Wood-burning stove in the saloon
•Two cabins at opposite ends of the boat for privacy
•Queen bed in the main cabin, two singles in the aft cabin
•Galley with oven, stove, microwave, and breakfast bar
•Washer and dryer on board
•Smart TV and free WIFI
•Quiet, secure, sheltered marina with a coffee shop and restaurants along the dock
GUEST ACCESS
Guests have the whole boat to themselves, including the saloon, the galley, both cabins, and the private sun deck. Check-in is in person: you will be met at the entrance to the docks and walked through the marina access procedure and everything you need to know on board. The marina is gated and secure, set in a quiet, sheltered harbor with a coffee shop, restaurants, and a Tesco Express a short walk along the dock.
HOUSE RULES
•Check-in after 4 PM, checkout before 11 AM
•Up to 6 guests
•Children of all ages welcome
•No pets
•No smoking on board
•No parties or events
•Please follow the marina access and safety guidance provided at check-in
FAQs
•Toiletries are not provided beyond hand soap, so please bring your own shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Towels, linens, and toilet paper are provided.
•The bathroom and shower are compact, as is normal on a barge, but hot water is plentiful and the pressure is strong.
•Getting around the boat means some steps down into the cabins and a gangway from the dock, so it is not step-free.
•This is a working, residential marina, so there can be a faint smell of fuel at times. Guests describe it as occasional and not bothersome, but we mention it up front.
•The harbor is quiet, sheltered, and secure, and guests consistently say noise is not an issue.
•Check-in is in person. You will be met at the dock entrance and shown the marina access procedure and everything on board.
•Tower Hill Underground is about a five-minute walk, with a coffee and pastry shop, restaurants, and a Tesco Express right at the docks.