When you think of accommodation in London, what might come to mind are the city’s luxury hotels, such as the Savoy, the Ritz, Lancaster London, or maybe the castle hotels promising a royal stay. While these are certainly lovely, guests who wish to experience something different may want to explore some of the unique hotels in the city. We’re going a step beyond and offering houseboats as an option. An alternative for residents who want to beat the soaring rental prices of apartments, these cheap houseboats for rent in London are now offered to tourists who are looking for a quirky place to stay in the city. Check out this list of the best Airbnb houseboats in and near London.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 29, 2024.
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Houseboats in London
1. Scorpio - a narrowboat in Little Venice (from USD 287)
Book a stay at Scorpio - a unique accommodation in London boasting enchanting canal views that will leave you spellbound. The cozy beds at this houseboat ensure restful nights as the soothing waves rock you to sleep. Inside, a well-equipped kitchen will take care of your culinary cravings.
Stay connected with the world through Wi-Fi and cherish the convenience of a dedicated workspace at Scorpio. Entertainment is at your fingertips with a TV and a game console providing leisurely moments on board. Immerse yourself in tranquility as you gaze upon the serene water views and let the allure of water activities tempt you during your stay.
The boat’s strategic location offers easy access to local cafes and bars, allowing you to explore the local flavors. Explore London’s renowned parks, museums, and theaters, enriching your stay with cultural experiences.
Greater London, England, United KingdomSuperhost
Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
from the day we booked they were responsive and extremely helpfulwe had an amazing stay and the best host to deal withchris and katrina were outstanding hosts and we would highly recommend staying with themRead more reviewsCleanliness:
amazing super clean amazing cosy fire and an amazing comfortable stay
2. Jessie - a canal boat in Little Venice (from USD 240)
Step aboard this charming houseboat with cozy cabins, a front deck, and a lounge with a sofa bed accommodating extra guests with ease. Prepare quick snacks in the neat kitchen, complete with a foldable dining table for shared meals and cherished moments. The houseboat rental in London provides you with daily breakfast. For entertainment, you can watch movies on the TV.
You can keep up with your socials thanks to the Wi-Fi, ensuring seamless connectivity during your stay on the water. The houseboat’s convenient location puts you within walking distance of bus terminals, providing easy access to the rest of London’s wonders.
Central London Narrowboat, England, United KingdomAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Host:
msg was nothing more than the perfect hostmeg is a great hostmeg the owner leaves wonderful touches like a wonderful loaf of bread some eggsfantastic host - very responsive to questions even at slightly unsociable hoursperfect in every way and meg is a wonderful hostLocation:
great location within walking distance of paddington stationthe location is brilliantthe location is perfectgreat location & all round lovely break in this narrow boatperfect location to explore london fromCleanliness:
what a find cosy warm immaculately clean and well equipped narrowboat jessiejessie is a clean comfortable and cosy boateverything on jessie was as described and very cleanthe boat is clean tidy and practical even with two children in towRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
breakfast on the fore deck was memorable and perfectmeg left lots of nice breakfast bits and for a small space - jessie is well equippedhe *just* fit in the bed but could walk around easily (didn't need to crouch)there are two exciting bridges on the canal near paddington the rolling bridge and the fan bridgethe shower was small but it was definitely manageable
3. Beautiful and unique houseboat in central London (from 96 USD)
Well-lit, in a good location, and with proper furnishings - this houseboat for rent offers cheap accommodation in London. It features just about everything you could want in a holiday home, with the added feature of floating along one of the canals of central London. Tourist attractions, such as Big Ben, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the Globe Theater are all within walking distance from this rental.
Guests have sole access to one room for rent and they will be sharing the common areas with the host. However, it is possible to rent the entire vessel if you need more space, or if you want to enjoy your privacy. The houseboat comes furnished with kitchen appliances, including a refrigerator, freezer, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, and Wi-Fi.
Beautiful and unique houseboat in central London
Price: from 96 USD
Number of Guests: 2
London Tour Guide
Robert Woolf
I am a London tour guide and my tours include talking about people who have shaped the city plus the many connected places such as Hampton Court Palace, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the commercial centre of the city: the City of London, and London’s world class museums and galleries. I have been guiding for 12 years. I am a licenced London Blue Badge Tour Guide, a City of London Gu... Read more
Tours by Robert
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4. Charming flat in a houseboat in Zone 1 (from 139 USD)
Staying at this apartment means having swans and ducks as your neighbors. Located on the south bank, between Vauxhall and Chelsea Bridge, this flat provides guests with fantastic views of the river. The houseboat is furnished with a kitchen, a TV, a heater, and Wi-Fi. Trafalgar Square is about 15 minutes away, by bicycle.
Charming flat in a houseboat in Zone 1
Price: from 139 USD
Number of Guests: 2
5. Dutch barge houseboat by Kew Bridge (from 208 USD)
This boat for rent in London is located right beside Kew Bridge, on the opposite side of a bird sanctuary. Guests will have the entire houseboat to themselves during their stay, which makes this a great choice for those who value their privacy. Besides the three bedrooms, the boat comes with bathrooms, a hot tub, a kitchen, a living room, and a roof terrace.
Dutch barge houseboat by Kew Bridge
Price: from 208 USD
Number of Guests: 6
6. Luxurious houseboat on the Thames (from USD 489)
Experience an entirely different level of comfort at this luxurious houseboat in London. Floating on the River Thames, this boat is unlike any other. The spacious living area has a full-sized couch, coffee table, and a skylight that fills the space with natural light during the day and sunset hues in the evenings. The kitchen boasts modern appliances and a dining table, to enjoy meals.
The bedroom is comfortable and has ample storage, while the well-appointed bathroom has a shower cubicle, premium bath products, and a washing machine for convenience. There is a television for entertainment and the deck is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the stunning sunsets of London.
Greater London, United KingdomAccommodates: 3
Top guest reviews
Host:
she is responsive and flexibleLocation:
ideal location in chelsea: battersea park is very short walk away over the historic albert bridgeCleanliness:
the place was as described clean and welcomingRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
wake up with ducks swimming by your window and admire the gorgeous albert bridge lights at night
7. The Harpy - a stunning houseboat (from USD 1038)
Experience luxury aboard The Harpy, London’s oldest houseboat, boasting historic charm. This spacious residence offers a remarkable 1,850 sq. ft. (171.87 sqm) interior and an expansive 2,500 sq. ft (232.26 sq. m) of deck space with unparalleled views. Enjoy modern amenities such as a Samsung fridge, Neff appliances, and Sonos speakers. The master cabin showcases a stunning oak four-poster bed dating back to the 1920s.
Immerse yourself in this unique blend of vintage elegance and contemporary comfort, complete with iconic Tower Bridge vistas, making The Harpy a truly exceptional accommodation choice in London.
Greater London, United KingdomAccommodates: 10
Top guest reviews
Host:
let me be more specific:* the host has clearly taken this on as his passionmost of all andrew our wonderful host will be remembered for years to comeandrew is a consummate host ensuring everything was absolutely perfect throughout our stayandrew was an outstanding host from start to finish and made sure we had everything we neededandrew is a very good hostLocation:
relaxing accommodation close to everythingrestaurants and groceries nearby easy walk to the metrowhile within walking distance to whatever you could want the area was secure and quiet at nightthe location is amazing and really has a wow factorso this is an amazing place located at an amazing location with amazing views and an amazing hostCleanliness:
we came and left with clean clothes a nice change from most tripsandrew is a consummate host and the harpy itself is magnificent — clean spacious and perfectly appointedRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the views are superb as are the facilities on boardthe harpy was well equipped with a good kitchen fast internet sonos and skytvthe harpy was amazing clean comfortable with all the amenities that you would ever want or needthe cabins were very comfortable the living room area and kitchen were unmatched
Houseboats near London
8. Luxurious houseboat in Windsor
The furnishings and amenities of this rental are proof that it is possible to enjoy a life of luxury even while floating on the water. The kitchen comes with a fridge-freezer, induction hob, dishwasher, and washer-dryer, and the bedroom features a walk-in closet. The houseboat is docked at the edge of Willows Riverside Park, allowing guests to enjoy the beauty of nature in a relatively quiet location. Historic Windsor Castle is just a short walk away from this location.
Windsor and Maidenhead, England, United KingdomAccommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Host:
thank you for being such a great hostchris was a wonderful hostcan not fault the place host was very welcoming and happy to helpvery welcoming hosts and all the finishing touches to make us all feel completely at homethanks chris and staffLocation:
amazing location and fab unique accommodationgreat location and a lovely comfortable staygood location with easy access to windsor sitesgreat location close to windsor and on the riverbeautiful place in a beautiful peaceful locationCleanliness:
super clean and spaciousvery clean and well-keptnew and clean and quietsuper clean and everything felt like newit was also very cleanRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
with a smart tv and we were able to listen to our music via bluetooth on some impressive speakers
9. Houseboat in Hampton with a view (from 249 USD)
This houseboat does not just put guests on the water, it also allows them to be surrounded by a beautiful garden and a variety of wildlife. If that’s not enough, the houseboat is also furnished with a hot tub, an HD wide-screen TV, a fully-furnished kitchen, and Wi-Fi, to complete your luxurious holiday experience. Rates are inclusive of breakfast.
Houseboat in Hampton with a view
Price: from 249 USD
Number of Guests: 2
10. The Harbour Hut - Quirky floating home with a gin bar
Providing visitors direct access to the beach, this houseboat is available for rent all year round, thanks to its proximity to the harbor wall. If the sea is not enough to help you relax, the houseboat comes with its own gin bar, for guests who need some aid in kicking back. Restaurants are a short walk away from the rental.
Brighton, United KingdomAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
great restaurant recommendations and local info from the hostlovely place to stay lovely friendly and helpful hosthelpful local information providedthanks for being such a great host mady xxthanks again for being super hostsLocation:
a lovely location and a nice unique space for a mini breakeasy walking distance to nearby restaurantsa gorgeous location and incredibly cosy and sweeteasy to get into brighton town by bus bike or taxigreat location overlooking all the boats in brighton marinaCleanliness:
outstandingly clean excellent communication and lots of local information givenspotlessly clean and in a lovely safe areasuper clean with lots of special extra touches to make your stay even more specialabsolutely phenomenal sparkling clean with some amazing personal touches that really made us feel welcomeit was clean and stylishly presented with lots of extra finishing touchesRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the hut has beautiful views out onto the marina from the living room and bedroom
11. Traditional houseboat in central London (from 332 USD)
This houseboat comes with a double bedroom and a sofa bed, making it able to accommodate up to four people. Two wood burners are available on board to help keep guests warm during their stay. Rates are inclusive of breakfast and special rates are available for guests who plan on staying multiple nights.
Traditional houseboat in central London
Price: from 332 USD
Number of Guests: 4
12. Houseboat with a large, double room
Dubbed Katrina, this houseboat has two of its five bedrooms available for rent. This rental is furnished with a king-sized mattress and another mattress can be added for groups of three. While there is no wardrobe space in the bedroom, guests can stash their things somewhere else in the boat during their stay. The room is furnished with a TV and a DVD player, both of which can be used by tenants to entertain themselves.
13. Riverboat - Close to Oxford city center (from 137 USD)
This two-bedroom boat is docked within walking distance to the center of historic Oxford and it is also just a few steps away from the bus and railway stations, making it easy for guests to get around. Wi-Fi is available on board and rates are inclusive of breakfast.
Riverboat - Close to Oxford city center
Price: from 137 USD
Number of Guests: 4
A London holiday on the water
If you are looking for a unique and memorable holiday, look no further than a boat for rent in London. Thanks to the recent popularity of these vessels as apartment alternatives, you won’t find yourself wanting creature comforts, as many of these homes feature amenities that you can expect from a holiday home, except that these float on water. Have the adventure of a lifetime by choosing among these rentals to stay in, while in London.
Frequently asked questions about the best Airbnb houseboats in and near London
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