“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 queen cabin, an aft cabin that sleeps three, and a sofa bed sleep up to six. 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.
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 plus an additional bunk, sleeping three. In between is the saloon, with a sofa bed, a wood-burning stove, air conditioning, 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.
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 harbour and Thames views
•Wood-burning stove with logs and kindling provided
•Two cabins at opposite ends of the boat for privacy
•Sleeps six: a queen cabin, an aft cabin for three, and a sofa bed
•Galley with oven, stove, microwave, and breakfast bar
•Air conditioning and central heating
•Washer and dryer, Smart TV, and free WIFI
•Quiet, secure, sheltered marina with a coffee shop and restaurants along the dock
SPACE BREAKDOWN
Bedrooms/Cabins (2)
Main Cabin
•Queen bed
•Storage drawers under the bed
•Radiator
•Portholes
Aft Cabin
•Two single beds
•An additional bunk (sleeps three)
•Portholes
•Skylight
Bathroom (1)
•Shower
•Toilet
•Wash basin
•Hair dryer
•Towels and toilet paper provided
Kitchen & Dining
•Compact galley with a breakfast bar and stools
•Stove and oven
•Microwave
•Refrigerator
•Kettle and toaster
•Grill
•Dishes, utensils, and cooking basics
Living Areas
Saloon
•Sofa bed and armchair
•Wood-burning stove (logs and kindling provided)
•Air conditioning
•Smart TV
•Skylights and portholes
OUTDOORS
Sun Deck
•Timber chairs and a table
•Views across the harbor to the Thames
•Open-air seating on the top deck
EXTRAS
•Met at the dock for check-in, with a walkthrough of the marina access
•Free WIFI throughout
•Smart TV
•Washer and dryer on board
•Hair dryer, iron, and board
•Linens and towels provided
•Air conditioning, central heating, and a wood-burning stove (logs and kindling provided)
•Sofa bed in the saloon for extra sleeping
•Whole boat and private sun deck
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.
•Paid parking is available around the marina, though it can be pricey. Most guests arrive without a car, since the central location and transport links make getting around easy.