Skip to main content
House boat

Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends

Photo gallery for Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends

Room
Interior
Interior
Property grounds
Private kitchen

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 422.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Internet access
  • Fireplace
  • Refrigerator
  • Bathtub

Explore the area

View map
London, England
  • Place, Westbourne Grove
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Queensway
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Paddington Central
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Airport, London (LHR-Heathrow)
    ‪53 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Kitchenette

About this property

Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends

Why not experience a bit of UK boating culture whilst enjoying London's top landmarks - right in the city centre?

Your canal boat sleeps 4 adults in its super-king bed & double-bed sofa. The kitchen, bathroom & decks have everything you need - & ask us about early check-in & a 1-hour private tour right on your boat.

Located along the Grand Union waterway in central London we're only 20-30 mins to the city's most famous sites - so come enjoy a unique experience & lovely sleep on your canal boat!

The Space:
Our canal boat is ideal for a couple, family or group of friends visiting London to see the city's most famous landmarks.

The canal boat offers a bright open-plan kitchen and lounge, full bathroom, spacious double bedroom, and extra double bed to comfortably sleep 4 adults.

The boat's stern has an open-air deck allowing for early sunrise breakfasts or relaxing dinners under the stars - or lets guests have a relaxing cup of tea whilst watching towpath pedestrians or ducks feeding in the canal.

The boat moors on the Grand Union canal near Little Venice and the short route to her exact location along the easy-to-access towpath will be provided after booking.

And if the weather plays its part, we might be able to provide a 1 hour private tour via the bird sanctuary island, narrowboat village, Regent's Park, London Zoo into Camden market.

Full of historical character, the boat was recently carefully renovated to retain original period features including the oak wood, brass fixtures and ceramic tiling - notably in the kitchen and bathroom.

This canal boat was originally built in Sheffield but spent many of years of service in the branches of the Oxford canal before making its way down to central London.

The eco-centric canal boat runs on solar power with new energy efficient powerbanks are available for electricity and to charge all your phones, laptops and LED lights throughout the boat.

You may find staying on our canal boat a more interesting and unusual experience than your standard hotel or apartment - and our boat has what you need for a memorable break in central London.

Add dates for prices

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Miscellaneous
Comfy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends
Westbourne Green
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Toys/games
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (25 reviews)
Comfy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses solar energy
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

London

City of Westminster, a neighbourhood in London, is home to this houseboat. Marble Arch and Buckingham Palace are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and ZSL London Zoo are not to be missed.
View more Houseboats in LondonOpens in a new window
Map
London, England

What's nearby

  • Westbourne Grove - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Queensway - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Paddington Central - 11 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Kensington Gardens - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Hyde Park - 5 min drive - 1.8 km

Getting around

  • Royal Oak Underground Station - 7 min walk
  • London (QQP-Paddington Train Station) - 17 min walk
  • London (LCY-London City) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Vanak Persian Restaurant - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Hero of Maida - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Real Drinks - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Grand Junction - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Bridge House - ‬5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends?

As of 9 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends on 29 May 2026 start from NZ$419, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends located?

Located in City of Westminster, this houseboat is within 1 mile (2 km) of Paddington Central, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Marble Arch and Kensington High Street are also within 2 miles (3 km). Royal Oak Underground Station is 7 minutes by foot and Warwick Avenue Underground Station is 8 minutes.

Reviews

8.0

Very good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 12 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 12 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 12 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 12 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 12 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Check-in

9.0/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

8.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great adventure

Manager was very obliging and helped us settle in. It was a great experience! We loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Neil... -.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Off grid for a few days

Great fun to be in the middle of London and yet be "off grid". LV is a delightful suburb too.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 November 2024
We’re pleased you enjoyed your stay in our boat home…
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mike B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was such a wonderful and unique way to spend a few nights in London - both the narrowboat itself and the location. Staying on the water is a world apart from any hotel experience, The rustic charms and quirks of narrowboat living and the sense of community with other boat dwellers made it special. Everything was spotlessly clean and communication throughout was great. There’s also a great pub just across the footbridge! Highly recommended for a couple in search of something beyond the conventional. It’s basic (it’s a boat after all) and it’s authentic. If you want all the frills of fancy hotels this is probably not for you. But for anyone in search of the cosy, the fun, the intimate and the offbeat it hits the spot. Loads of character. We loved it. And somehow, being on the water, we slept like the proverbial logs!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cara T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Such a unique and wonderful experience

We stayed here for a special occasion and it didn't disappoint. The boat is very well positioned, with great access to a cafe and restuarant, and easily located. The host was very accommodating, easy to communicate with and the check in/check out process very straight forward.The beds are comfortable, plenty of linen and the shower surprisingly good for a canal boat.We were offered the opportunity to have a private tour down the canal too, for an extra cost, and this was a lively way to end our stay.Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Stephen K.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A canal boat - exactly as described

It is a canal boat on a canal in the center of London. The description is accurate, and you certainly can't beat the location, or the accomodation if you are looking for something really quite different. The boats are parked side-by-side, close together and walking up and down the canal is fun and you can get to all parts of London very easily. The accomodation is small and very basic, and not for everyone, but as they say "it does what it says on the tin".
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dan Brun P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Great neighborhood and great host

All very pleasant and well functioning, especially the communication with the host. A great experience of “camping in central London”. Hot bath functioned perfectly, but keep in mind that the rest of tje toilet facilities are also on camping level 😅
Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

4/10 Poor

Peter D.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Check-in, listing accuracy
The boat has charm. The location, Little Venice, is nice, with good access to central London via the underground. Facilities are much more basic than is clear on the vrbo site. Owner requests that used toilet paper goes in a bin not the Porta Potti toilet, hot water for a very brief (1 min) shower requires the boat’s engine to run for 40mins, almost all the electricity comes from a battery pack which is limited. Clearer Instructions on how stuff worked arrived day two. Owner responsive via vrbo message. WiFi router provided day two but drains battery pack. Fridge doesn’t really work. A lot of effort went into managing to live there rather than getting on with our holiday.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

ALISON G.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

A very comfy stay, good value for central London

I’d never stayed on a canal boat before and it was very cosy, beautifully restored and comfortable. It is a boat, though, so bring a sense of adventure. There’s not much by way of shops in the immediate area so I recommend bringing some supplies. I also recommend checking in while it’s light so it’s easier to set up wifi, heating, etc. Thank you to Thomas for being responsive to my questions.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Adventure on a Boat

I stayed with my wife and two children (9 and 12) and we had a great time. Thomas, the host, was super responsive the first day when we had a question, and showed up in a few hours to show us how things worked by himself. Thank you! The boat is pretty much exactly as shown on the pictures - in good repair and very comfortable given the space. My wife and kids thought it was a great adventure to find the boat and figure out how it all worked. We didn't try to cook on board but there were many good restaurants near by within a few minutes walk. This was a great way to experience a canal boat without worrying about actually having to pilot one.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Janine P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication

First time in London

The boat did not have electricity and it was pretty chilly at night. The internet connection was not available. towels need upgrading limited hot water very close quarters, not really suitable for more than 2 people the location isgood as it is very close to paddington station and cafes and bars and a small convenience store. We could not use the cabin lights because we were told it would drain the battery. There were small chargeable lights, but no means to charge them. The exterior of the boat and the entrance to the boat could be more welcoming. We got lost looking for the boat and tried to phone the owner but the number had been disconnected. When we found an internet connection we received a call from the owner. He was responding to messages we had sent and he very kindly rescued us.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 May 2025
We’re sorry your experience in our boat wasn’t as favourable our other guests. As mentioned we work hard to ensure people enjoy their time here - and have created an easy to read guest guide to help with directions, use of utilities and facilities. We were a bit disheartened when you mentioned you didn’t read the guide and its details which really would have solved your issues. As discussed from other guests we have heating, electricity, WiFi and hot water - it only takes a few minutes to understand the minor nuances of the boat so we hope you might give us another try sometime…
Verified

4/10 Poor

Joe P.

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Fun idea, but much more primitive than expected

This seemed like such a fun idea, and we were incredibly excited about staying in such a unique place. The area is very compact, but that wasn't the issue. We started having concerns when we got the instructions for the boat a few days before our stay. It was much more limited than expected, and the ability to use basic equipment was not possible (hair dryers, etc.). We were there during an cold snap, but the guide we received said there was heat. Once we were there, we discovered that the only AC power came from a free standing battery pack (which was at 25% even without us using it). We initially tried using the heat, and it helped. However, the host stopped by and told us that equipment was only for hot water production, and not for heating the space. The only functional heat for the actual space was a very small fireplace, which was on the opposite end of the boat from the sleeping area. All of that to say, we absolutely froze. We could see our breath while we were trying to sleep and left for a hotel the next morning. I do think this could be a fun and unique rental, but the advance disclosures should be more specific, and should be provided before your funds are swept so you could choose to opt out. In the spring, or early fall, our experience would have probably been better, but it is my opinion that this rental should really not be offered once winter starts. The host was engaged and responsive, but we found it impossible to complete our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 7 December 2024
We’re sorry you didn’t enjoy your boat stay like our hundreds of other guests - and we’re disappointed you didn’t have a chance to properly read the boat guide properly. Although the guide is not complicated there a few very subtle nuances, switches and factors which need to be read which make your canal boats a unique cosy experience. The heating works both from the fuel stove (best quickest option we prep for easy lighting) and hot water radiators, the 1/4 full 2000W powerbank supports electrical requirements for several days and we are always available to help show you everything and anything for your entire stay. We’d like to welcome you back but please do mention any concerns you have to us when you are staying (rather than ten days afterwards) so we can provide the best canal experience for you.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Silke H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Besonders Erlebnis

Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit auf dem Hausboot - es ist super zentral gelegen, der Host Thomas kümmert sich sofort bei Fragen und hat uns sogar eine Runde mit dem Boot auf dem Kanal gefahren. Das Bad ist klein mit allem, was man braucht. Die Toilette ist ein Campingklo und die Dusche muss ca. 40 min. Vorheizen. Es ist eine Küche an Bord mit allem, was man so braucht. Wir haben allerdings immer nur gefrühstückt. Die Kinder fanden es großartig- definitiv ein besonderes Erlebnis, um eine Woche in London zu verbringen!!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by TJ

Host profile image
Canadian living in London for 25 years I write comics, love to travel, do a bit of fitness and spend lots of time with my kids.

Why they chose this property

Little Venice is a stunning area in London with everything guests need when not visiting the main sites in London

What makes this property unique

There are few opportunities to live in a real functioning canal boat in central London - notably one that has everything people need for a comfortable stay.

Languages:

English, French, Italian, Spanish, Turkish
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback

Go further with the Bookabach app

  • Easily message your host
  • Access, share and manage your trip
  • Earn OneKeyCash on holiday rentals
Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app
QR code to download the app