Ensconced in the outskirts of London, Kingston upon Thames boasts mesmerizing, neo-classical architecture along with gothic-style churches, majestic buildings and elaborate bridges. Explore its rich heritage of medieval English monarchs and tour its fascinating historical relics such as Coronation Stone beside Guildhall and the nearby Hampton Court Palace. Kingston also features many pubs and restaurants where you can relax and unwind, most notably the highly rated The Grey Horse - SMOK’D on Richmond road. You can also swing by local attractions such as The Bentall Centre and Rose Theatre to mingle with locals and learn more about the town’s culture.
While the town offers plenty of outstanding accommodations on land, its location on the south bank of the River Thames makes it the perfect spot for an over-water stay. To experience a unique holiday, scroll down for the best houseboats near Kingston upon Thames, UK.
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 14, 2024.
1. Sequestered houseboat with a bright red facade (from USD 327)
Elude the noisy, chaotic environment of the city by residing in this tranquil houseboat, hosted by its two welcoming owners— Sarah and Simon. Accommodating up to four guests, it features a double and a single bed, cosy interiors, and a wood stove to keep you warm. A well-appointed ted kitchen and washing machine are provided for your convenience. The bright red facade of the boat is truly attractive, as are its external spaces, equipped with a hammock and a seating area.
Explore Granary Square’s large open space and many exquisite restaurants while staying here. if you’d rather spend fun evenings on the property itself, make use of the barbecue grill provided.
London, United Kingdom
772 meters (0.5 ft) from The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾Superhost
Accommodates: 5
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
well designed attractive interior comfy bedswe have even been provided with some breakfast food and some goodies like coke and coffeesome kwirky points such as the chemical toilet but all part of the adventureCleanliness:
the galatée is clean cosy dry relaxing and convenient place to stay while in londonHost:
lovely neighbors and hostssarah and simon are really kind peoplethe boat is the hosts' home and is beautifully decorated and organisedvery kind & helpful hoststhe hosts were also really friendly and very helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
great location too it’s close to everythingthe location is safe and conveniently close to kings cross stationnice and spacious; very tranquil location; great transport links nearbywe really enjoyed our stay in this peaceful locationgreat location and boat for those that want something a little different
2. The Harpy (from USD 1148)
Moored near the iconic Tower Bridge, this gorgeous houseboat, dubbed The Harpy, has an illuminated pathway that connects it to the dock. Upon entering, you can find a lounge with a large HDTV with streaming facilities, a coffee table made out of polished oakwood and a cushy, seating area. The beds come with Egyptian linens to make your nights comfortable, and room-darkening shades have been provided so you can sleep in without any disturbance.
The kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, and there is a wooden dining table where you can enjoy your meals together. If you need to get some work done, make use of the dedicated workspace. The lounge leads to an outdoor balcony that overlooks the London skyline.
Greater London, United Kingdom
4.99 km (3.1 mi) from The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾Accommodates: 10
Top guest reviews
Amenities & 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 unmatchedCleanliness:
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 appointedHost:
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 hostRead more reviewsLocation:
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 host
3. Jessie the narrowboat (from USD 279)
Situated just a short walk away from Paddington Station, Jessie the narrowboat has a rather serene vibe associated with its warm wooden interiors. For indoor entertainment, you can make use of the TV and WiFi. Circular windows at regular intervals enable a clear and calming view of willow trees and sundry small buildings of Little Venice, London.
Capable of sleeping up to four guests, the rental has a double bed, a bunk bed, and a sofa bed. The kitchenette inside comes with a refrigerator, oven and coffeemaker. There is also a myriad of pubs, restaurants and cafés in the vicinity if you feel like eating out.
Central London Narrowboat, England, United Kingdom
4.3 km (2.7 mi) from The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾Accommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
breakfast on the fore deck was memorable and perfectmeg left lots of nice breakfast bits and for a small space - jessie is well equippedjessie is comfortable and cosy and a practical solution for a stay in londonhe *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 bridgeCleanliness:
jessie is a clean comfortable and cosy boatwhat a find cosy warm immaculately clean and well equipped narrowboat jessieeverything on jessie was as described and very cleanthe boat is clean tidy and practical even with two children in towHost:
msg was nothing more than the perfect hostmeg the owner leaves wonderful touches like a wonderful loaf of bread some eggsmeg is a great hostfantastic host - very responsive to questions even at slightly unsociable hoursperfect in every way and meg is a wonderful hostRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is brilliantgreat location within walking distance of paddington stationthe location is perfectgreat location & all round lovely break in this narrow boatperfect location to explore london from
4. The Boathouse (from USD 621)
Listen to the gentle waves of the Thames lapping at the hull of The Boathouse as it floats on Floating Pocket Park. This luxurious vessel sleeps up to four guests in its comfy double bed and sofa bed. Moreover, you will find all the necessary kitchen amenities here, such as a fridge, oven and stovetop. Its en-suite bathroom features a walk-in shower and a bathtub, perfect for refreshing showers and calming baths. The lounge is eminently stylish and modern, featuring chic furnishings, a wood stove, and a variety of board games to keep you engaged.
The rental also comes with a terrace where you can sit back and let the summer sun kiss your skin as you blissfully admire the views. Nearby tourist attractions include Hyde Park and Madame Tussauds.
The Boathouse
Address: The floating pocket park Merchant Square, Paddington
3.6 km (2.3 mi) from The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾
5. Cosy narrowboat on Regent's Canal
Tuck yourself into the warm, snug double bed of this charming little houseboat located on Regent’s Canal. Adorned with pretty curtains and a cosy living space, it guarantees a pleasant stay amidst calming water views. The small kitchenette consists of a stove, coffeemaker and cooking basics so you can prepare quick meals every day. The bathroom supplies hot water and has an eco-friendly compost toilet.
The budget-friendly houseboat also permits your pets to stay aboard with you. Do note that this is a cruising boat, so its location changes every two weeks.
London, England, United Kingdom
4.37 km (2.8 mi) from The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
a really nice alternetive to a roomCleanliness:
very clean and cosythe boat house is clean and well equipped with many thoughtful detailsi have just had a great experience on ana's boat the boat was warm clean and nicely decoratedHost:
anna is an awesome hostanna was very helpful and accommodating with fast responsesanna is a lovely host very welcoming and responsive when we had questionsshe was very welcoming and kindly showed me the boat and gave me many helpful suggestionsanna was a very sweet and gracious hostRead more reviewsLocation:
anna's boat is a cute place to stay in a great locationcozy house boat in a great location to easily access central london as well as many hip placesi suggest this location for everyone who would like to prove new and romantic experince in londonabsolutely great stay at a total different location than usualvery cozy and beautiful location but got a bit cold inside
Experience a serene vacation near Kingston upon Thames
Whether you want to tour iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge and Big Ben or simply explore local British heritage and culture, there is no doubt that this elegant little borough of London will provide a truly enriching experience and leave you with a craving to visit again. To make your holiday extra special, stay in one of these houseboats!
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