Ready for an exciting vacation to the United Kingdom? The country is packed with vibrant energy, natural beauty, and remarkable historical landmarks. Although stately buildings and heritage hotels have always been guaranteed to make tourists swoon, houseboats are also a pretty popular choice of accommodation all over the country. They’re a fantastic and unique way to experience the charms of the region. If you’re interested in the boating lifestyle, you’re in luck. There are plenty of charming properties on the water all around the UK, whether you’re planning to stay docked in bustling cities or eager for a tranquil getaway by the lake. Read on for the best houseboat rentals in United Kingdom for your upcoming holiday.
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 April 12, 2024.
1. Serene boathouse with a unique frame, Fermanagh and Omagh, Northern Ireland (from USD 170)
If you’re looking to spend some quality time in a more peaceful setting while in Northern Ireland, it’s a must to check out this modern floating home located just south of the formidable Lough Erne. This uniquely framed unit comes with a deck that overlooks the bay, an ideal place to reflect on life’s best moments.
Inside the cottage, you’ll find a well-stocked kitchen, a TV unit, a cozy L-shaped couch, and a bed that can sleep two or three people. Complete with a fresh stack of toiletries, this long-term houseboat rental in the UK is both safe for pets and toddler-friendly with the presence of a travel crib upon request.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
the houseboat itself was clean and comfortablebeautiful boathouse so clean stunning surroundingsvery clean fully functioning and bed was very comfortableclean neat and a different experienceRead more reviewsLocation:
relaxing location right on the waters edgethe place and location are superbbeautiful location such a peaceful place to just relaxabsolutely fabulous location such a beautiful wee boathouseplace was perfect and location was outstanding with lots of privacy
Superhost
2. Modern River Thames houseboat, Oxfordshire, England (from USD 149)
The River Thames doesn’t just cover most of London. It extends well into a few towns and cities miles away from the English capital, one of which is Oxford. If you want to live the experience in a quieter fashion, you’re in luck when you stay in this modern houseboat for rent in the UK’s south-east.
This sparkling new floating home is lovingly fitted to provide guests with familiar comforts, from the spacious common area with a kitchen, dining table, and couch to the well-lit bedroom with two beds, one of which you can unfold from the wooden closet. The marina where it’s currently docked has a shared grassy area for serene moments during sunset. As it’s also near Oxford City, you’ll also find plenty of interesting things to do less than 30 minutes from here.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
with a super comfy double bed and double sofa bedthe boat was comfortable and clean with beautiful views down the riverCleanliness:
lovely clean and comfortable boat in pretty surroundingsit is very clean and in the morning you're even greeted by swans and duckslovely stay very clean and the bottle of wine in the fridge was a nice touchthe boat was super clean exceptionally comfortable and well designedHost:
host was very helpful with all the details sent over and answering questions thanksrobert was a superb hosti highly recommend both place and hosthost supplied everything we needed and boat was lovely and cleanthe host was very helpful and great with communicationRead more reviewsLocation:
great location on the riverwhat an amazing location and boatlocation location location small but cute and well equipped boatwe would definitely stay in this boat / location againwalk to wallingford was gorgeous
3. Luxury houseboat with a sun deck, Merseyside, England (from USD 625)
A renovated grain barge, this houseboat in Liverpool Marina offers luxurious accommodations for a vacation with family or friends. Tastefully designed with high-quality furnishings, modern appliances, and rich hues, it’s a wonderful retreat that can rival your standard hotel experience. Five beautifully appointed bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, provide more than enough space for up to ten guests.
The sun deck is a pleasant place to spend breezy days over the water. If you need a little more action, there are plenty of restaurants, nightlife spots, and local attractions nearby. The city center is a short stroll away.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
every bedroom was comfortable and had plenty of space with an ensuite and showerrooms all great sizes and excellent full sized showersgreat communal living room for us all to use play games and watch tvwell thought out barge house that is more like a luxury apartmentCleanliness:
place was spotless and communication was superb throughout our stayall bedrooms have their own bathroom with shower all spotlessly cleanthe en-suites were all modern and white and super cleanthe boat is so lovely inside really clean and immaculately presentedHost:
the staff are very friendly and engaginggreat spot amazing host thank you so muchhighly recommend communication from hosts were brilliantRead more reviewsLocation:
quiet but well situated only 15 mins walk from the albert dock and the main attractionseasy walk along the riverside into townwow what a fabulous placeamazing place to stay would definitely recommend
4. Harland Berth, Belfast, Northern Ireland (from USD 203)
Head to the heart of Belfast and spend your vacation exploring the Cathedral Quarter, nightlife spots, and Titanic-related attractions. This well-designed houseboat in Belfast Marina is an excellent base for a holiday in the city, with all the necessary amenities, including a kitchenette, a TV, and Wi-Fi. Chic, nautical-inspired décor throughout the space makes it an attractive choice for Instagram lovers. With two bedrooms and a full bathroom, it can accommodate four travelers comfortably.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the houseboat was the perfect size for our family of 4 including a bunk bed for the kidsspacious stylish warm and comfortable this modified river boat offers stunning views of the titanic quartercomfortable couches and beds did not disappointCleanliness:
place is amazing very clean plenty of space for 2adults and 2kidsthe boat is clean and decorated so wellHost:
lovely place to stay with great customer service from hostshosts are extremely helpful and accommodatinggillian is a thoughtful and gracious hostmichael a host greeted me and gave me great suggestions for pubs and restaurants in townhost michael gave us warm welcome also great tips about places nearbyRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is perfectperfect location in titanic districtgreat location and beautiful settinggreat location walking distance to all belfast has to offereasy and interesting walk to city centre
5. Elegant houseboat on River Hamble, Bursledon, England (from USD 252)
It’s easy to discover the joys of living in the water from this delightfully modern houseboat moored at Cabin Boatyard on the scenic River Hamble. Step inside the impeccably designed space featuring two bedrooms and a full bathroom, the perfect accommodation for two adults and two children. Guests will enjoy whipping up meals in the fully equipped kitchen that features a stovetop, a refrigerator, and a dishwasher.
Made from eco-friendly material, this self-catering houseboat is fully insulated and features underfloor heating, so it’s suited for travellers all year round.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
my favourite spot is definitely the aft deck with a cozy setting overlooking the marinawe look forward to coming back with our children as the bunk beds looks great fun for themCleanliness:
spotlessly clean with everything and more includedluxury feel comfy beds spotlessly clean what more could you wantwow wow wow loved every second clean tidy and just amazingit was spotless inside with lovely toucheslovely place to stay very clean and comfortableHost:
lovely stay and a great hostteresa is a great hostthe host has equipped it extremely thoughtfully and wellteresa is a great host and clearly cares for her guests experienceteresa is an excellent hostRead more reviewsLocation:
lovely location comfy bedsin a good location with nice pubs / steakhouse nearbygreat location and nice to be surrounded by watergreat location with lots to explore nearbysecure free parking and great location for restaurants/pubs and river walks
6. One-bedroom narrowboat amidst nature, Dunbartonshire, Scotland (from USD 172)
Tiny house enthusiasts will fall in love with this charming little houseboat that’s less than 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) from the center of Glasgow. Tucked amidst nature, this narrowboat rental is a wonderful escape from regular life. It is large enough for four guests and comes complete with a comfortable bed, sofa bed, foldaway table, kitchenette, shower, and porta potty. It even has an indoor fireplace to keep the space pleasantly warm during cool evenings.
Don’t worry about getting bored as there’s a smart TV on board, and the great outdoors offers plenty to see, do, and admire. Explore the unspoiled surroundings, whether you prefer going around on foot or by bike, kayak, or car.
7. Haven Pod, Neyland, Pembrokeshire (from USD 114)
This pristine houseboat is found in the Neyland Marina within the Milford Haven Waterway. For a cozy space, it packs quite a punch. Dubbed as the Haven Pod, this houseboat comes with a well-equipped kitchenette, a foldaway dining set, and an ultra-comfy bed for two. Best of all, the private deck allows travelers to enjoy al fresco meals, wine nights, and quiet mornings while gazing over the pretty waterway.
Bathroom facilities are in the main marina building near the houseboat. Laundry facilities and free parking are also available on site.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the bed was comfortable and we loved the deck outsidethe restaurant downstairs ( open for breakfast and lunch) also had a great menureally nice decking area to enjoy your breakfastit was like a luxury hotel room in a podCleanliness:
very cosy and cleana lovely stay lovely clean pod and on site facilitiesthe pod is immaculately clean and a wonderful little place to staythe pod was very clean and comfortable with good amenitiesHost:
james and the other staff are very friendly and helpfulthe staff were all very helpful and highly recommend staying herestaff were extremely helpful this was our 2nd stay and will definitely be backstaff were really friendly and super helpful would definitely recommend hiring bikes to exploregreat place to stay - very helpful and friendly hostsRead more reviewsLocation:
great location for visiting pembrokeshirethis is an amazing stay in a beautiful location with top facilitesamazing place to stay for a few nights great location and something a bit differentif you like walking running or cycling then there is a great route from the podlovely location to use as a base to explore the pembrokeshire coast
8. Rena Haus, Wootton Bridge, England (from USD 233)
Calm waters, bright interiors, and graceful swans swimming by daily — this idyllic waterfront residence on Wootton Creek has it all. The property features a fully equipped house right on the water, plus a separate self-contained cabin with a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Between the two, this vacation rental can accommodate up to four guests. Whether you’re staying indoors or hanging out on the outdoor deck, this floating home is a pleasure.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
you do not have any fans and cannot leave windows open at night as you get eaten aliveheaven on earth stylish and comfortable accommodation with a view to die for can’t wait to returnthe accommodation was well presented comfortable and looked afterCleanliness:
everything was clean and fresh on arrival with everything you would need to handgreat in every respect - setting tasteful decoration considerate touches and very cleanamazing place to unwind clean comfortable easily accessible very responsive host we will definitely be going backHost:
david is a great hostthank you david for being a great host xcommunications helpful pre and during our staffdavid was a perfect host with lots of fantastic recommendationsreally lovely stay and david was a fantastic hostRead more reviewsLocation:
pros…the location is amazingsuch an amazing place stylish comfortable perfect locationgreat unique place to stay right at the waters edgerena haus is in a beautiful relaxing locationthe location was perfect so serene
9. Four Sisters Boatel, Edinburgh, Scotland (from USD 291)
Travelers who’d rather not rough it can get the houseboat experience in complete comfort in this eye-catching Four Sisters Boatel. Located in the peaceful Lochrin Basin in the heart of Edinburgh, this fixed canal boat in the northern UK is close to the city’s top restaurants, bars, and shops.
Inside, this beautiful floating home is chic and spacious. It has two bedrooms and a bunk bed, therefore can easily sleep up to six guests. A double sofa bed can be used for two extra people. Other notable features include a fully equipped kitchen, a full bathroom, and a sunny deck.
10. Far Boathouse, Watermillock, England (from USD 445)
Wake up every day to the spectacular scenery of Ullswater from this lovely houseboat in the Lake District. Nestled in a private corner on the edge of the lake, it’s a secluded escape where travelers can completely bask in the beauty of nature. Perks include a fully equipped kitchen, a driftwood-style bathroom, a living room overlooking the lake, and a king-size bed with luxurious Egyptian cotton bedding. Sunrises and sunsets are especially stunning from the private deck.
While tucked away in a quiet location, this rental is a quick drive away from tourist attractions. Popular activities in the area include water sports, bird-watching, and lake tours.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
its tasteful furnishings and large comfortable sofa overlooking the deck and the lake created a relaxing ambiancethis cozy comfortable and idyllic setting was perfect for what i was looking forRead more reviewsHost:
incredible place great 2 night stay for us and jayne was a great host
11. Gerda of Glasgow, Scotland (from USD 156)
Just a short walk from the Glasgow city center, this pretty houseboat combines urban appeal, natural beauty, and the comforts of home. The open plan living area is beautifully appointed, with a log-burning fireplace that will keep you snug on chilly evenings. At night, guests can rest and relax in the two spacious bedrooms. While the houseboat has a well-equipped kitchen, there are also fantastic dining spots nearby for travelers who would rather eat out.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
sleeping is comfortable with plenty of room for 4the kitchen and appliances are scaled nicely everything fits together as it shouldwood stove easily took the chill out of an early september evening and provided a cozy atmospherewhat a beautiful wide beam narrow boat plenty of room and all the necessitiesCleanliness:
spotlessly clean inside with quality fixtures and fittingsHost:
our host was really helpful and made everything easylovely owners lots great places to walk on doorstep almostRead more reviewsLocation:
super quiet location and easy access to the subway to get around townwithin walking distance of the city centre but so quiet and peaceful on the canalgreat location - free parking and safe walk into glasgow (about 10 mins)the location was convenient to glasgow and we would highly recommend staying here if you’re visiting the citygreat accommodation with everything we needed and in a good location
Enjoy your next vacation on the water
You won’t ever run out of things to see and do in the United Kingdom. From the postcard-pretty countryside to the vibrant cities that include the likes of Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and London, these stunning houseboats for rent allow you to explore countless tourist attractions in a different light. For a unique experience, book one of the above listed houseboat rentals in the United Kingdom and discover the appeal of living right on the water.
Frequently asked questions about the best houseboat rentals in United Kingdom
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