2 Best Houseboats Near York, UK

Felmarge
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 2 min read

Formerly known as Eboracum, the historical city of York was first established in 71 AD, back when the majority of Great Britain was still under Roman rule. It is home to two of Britain’s most iconic destinations - the magnificent York Castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1068, and Shambles, one of the oldest markets in Britain that is believed to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley, a fictional location in the Harry Potter series.

These things alone can already make a visit to York sound like an interesting adventure. But if you’d like to ramp up your experience, then renting a houseboat might just be the perfect idea. It can give you an accommodation experience that’s unique and different from what hotels have to offer. If you agree, scroll down our list to discover the best houseboats near York, 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 October 29, 2024.

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1. Bosun's Barge

If having a fantastic vacation is your priority, consider renting this lovely houseboat anchored in the waters of the River Ouse. With its humbly decorated russet-tone interior, you can easily settle in without feeling out of place. Additionally, booking a stay in this houseboat also entails you to a priceless view of Bishopthorpe Palace.

Guests can enjoy either a round of drinks or casual dining in their on-site bar and cafe, respectively. And in the event of special occasions such as birthdays, don’t hesitate to reach out and discuss any arrangements with the host as they’ll be happy to help you out for a surcharge.

Stayed at this property?
Bishopthorpe, England, United Kingdom

61.03 km (38.0 mi) from Skipton Market
88 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Houseboat 2 Beds 4 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Host:
the hosts were extremely welcoming and provided for us extremely well
eva was so helpful and welcoming
Location:
this is a lovely location and a beautiful boat
the location is peaceful safe and quiet also very close to town
fab location with a restaurant and pubs within walking distance and a 10minure taxi ride into york
convenient and peaceful place a beautiful walk or short bus ride into york
a lovely narrow boat in a great location 10 minutes from the city centre
Cleanliness:
the kitchen equipment are very tidy and clean
the boat was absolutely brilliant really clean quirky but practical
Amenities & Room:
fantastic facilities on site (especially the little tea hut with yummy ice cream) and a deliciousrestaurant
Read more reviews

2. Herdwick

If your bucket list includes staying in a houseboat, then we wholly recommend Herdwick, a 35-foot-long (10.67-meter) narrowboat that’s currently docked along the Leeds and Liverpool canals. Its two double beds can sleep up to four people and is ideal for a small group of friends or family looking to try something fun and new.

Aside from offering basic living amenities, Herdwick also has outdoor seating areas at the front and the rear of the boat, where you can bask in the view of the world outside, especially during the sunset. And if you’d like, you can even arrange to take the boat out on a short trip for an additional charge of 50 GBP (56.61 USD) per day.

Stayed at this property?
North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

180 meters (0.2 ft) from Skipton Market
25 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Houseboat 2 Beds 4 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Host:
the host was lovely and made us feel very welcome
alex was easy to communicate with throughout and very accommodating
alex was friendly and made check in easy
perfect get away couldn’t praise the owner enough for communication
alex very helpful and very easy check in/out
Location:
perfect location and is perfect for a romantic break
fantastic location for drinks and food in skipton
what a beautiful boat in such a stunning location
a peaceful location yet central to some lovely pubs and restaurants
50 to park for 24hrs which is really good value for 24hrs
Amenities & Room:
both beds were very comfortable and the kitchen was well supplied with essentials
Read more reviews

York is a jewel in Britain's crown

The walled city of York is a time capsule in itself. Many of its historical landmarks still stand strong, each narrating a different story about the city’s rich history. Any tourist would feel honored to step foot into a domain where a multitude of historical events once took place.

With that, it is only right that such a once-in-a-lifetime experience be enhanced by helping you look for the best accommodations you can find near York, UK.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Meet Felmarge Go: a 23-year-old aspiring writer and a Filipino who resides in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Although she's been working with Trip101 as a travel writer for only a year, her...Read more

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