House boat

Charming Historic Boat Moored opposite Kew Gardens.

Riverside houseboat in Brentford with a water park

Photo gallery for Charming Historic Boat Moored opposite Kew Gardens.

Property grounds
Property grounds
Dining
Dining
Dining

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 334.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Brentford
  • Place, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Syon Park
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Place, Westfield London Shopping Centre
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Airport, London (LHR-Heathrow)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 3)

Double Cabin

1 Double Bed

Single Cabin

1 Single Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Charming Historic Boat Moored opposite Kew Gardens.

Enjoy stunning sunset panoramas on the tidal Thames from our beautiful, historic vessel. From her secluded garden mooring, Seacrest boasts magnificent views of Kew & Brentford Ait Nature Reserve. With fantastic transport links, she’s a riverside walk from many superb restaurants & pubs. This unique home is a comfortable, peaceful retreat, with all of Central London’s amenities at the doorstep.

There are a number of fantastic restaurants within walking distance, whether the Michelin Star Glasshouse in Kew Village, a host of cozy riverside pubs or a range of fantastic establishments in Chiswick and Richmond.

We're moored directly opposite the iconic Kew Bridge, whose arches contain a range of fantastic boutique businesses such from paddle boarding to gyms and spas. The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew across the river, whose boundary you can see from Seacreast's windows, isn't the only place to spot wildlife. Between the boat and the Botanic Gardens sits an island (Brentford Ait Nature Reserve) which was planted by Queen Victoria and provides refuge for our rarest river birds. Families of seals sometimes pass under the window, and every spring a new cluster of ducks, geese or swans nest on our garden mooring.

Kew Bridge station will take you direct to central London and is less than a 5 minute walk away, but you can also catch the river ferry from the other side of Kew Bridge, which, in spring and summer, travels downstream to Westminster or upstream to Hampton Court.

We look forward to welcoming you to our very special tidal home.

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Water view

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House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Text me when you leave.
Leave the Trash bagged in Black bags
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

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
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Brentford

Located in Brentford, this houseboat is on a river. Olympia Events and Kensington Palace are notable landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Twickenham Stadium and Wimbledon Tennis Club. Check out an event or a game at Wembley Stadium, and consider making time for Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a top attraction not to be missed. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Brentford

What's nearby

  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Syon Park - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Ealing Broadway Shopping Center - 12 min drive - 4.4 km
  • Westfield London Shopping Centre - 16 min drive - 7.9 km
  • Twickenham Stadium - 17 min drive - 7.9 km

Getting around

  • Kew Bridge Station - 4 min walk
  • Gunnersbury Underground Station - 17 min walk
  • Heathrow Airport (LHR) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Orangery - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Coach & Horses Hotel - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Express Tavern - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪The Black Dog Beer House - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Historic Boat Moored opposite Kew Gardens. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Charming Historic Boat Moored opposite Kew Gardens.?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Historic Boat Moored opposite Kew Gardens.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Charming Historic Boat Moored opposite Kew Gardens. located?

Situated on a river, this houseboat is within a 10-minute walk of Thames River and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Richmond Park is 2.5 mi (4 km) away. Kew Bridge Station is only a 4-minute walk and Gunnersbury Underground Station is 17 minutes.

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

8.0/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 58 out of 93 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 93 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 93 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 93 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 93 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

R H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Good visit. Great fun. Fabulous location.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kai L.

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

Fun and unique

Great host and fun location. Great coffee shops and food options nearby.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Rebecca B.

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

I’m on a boat!

Learning to navigate the idiosyncrasies of a boat was a unique experience for us. We enjoyed the pubs, scenery, birds and Kew Gardens. It is an easy walk to the train station with our favorite pub food right next to it. Mark was very welcoming and made sure that all our needs were met. Thanks
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

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

Great stay on Seacrest

We had a lovely stay on Seacrest and Mark is a very helpful and responsive host. We would absolutely stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Mick G.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mark was very friendly and escorted us to the boat and ran us through everything. Cabin was small but comfortable although we had two large suitcases that would have been almost impossible to take down to the bedroom so we had to leave them upstairs which took up quite a bit of space. Kitchen was adequately equiped. Double bed was very comfortable. Hairdryer supplied as well as a few basic food items.Bathroom good size. The boat was mostly nice and clean and had lots of character with a few little quirks. Mark uses the boat himself and he has a lot of personal items around but this wasn’t a big problem.It was nice and quiet. Plenty of bird life to observe and we even saw a seal swim past.Basics can be purchased in garage over the road and there are supermarkets within walking distance. Public transport is very convenient and there are nice walks to be had in the area.Lots of pubs and restaurants close by but the boat is moored in a quiet spot alongside a footpath away from the road. Make sure you check tide times as at very high tides the end of the gangplank can go under water for a short time making it tricky to get on or off the boat.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Adrian R.

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

great location

rustic accomadation , great location, easy walking to great pubs and restaurants.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy B.

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

Charming boat

Very comfortable, peaceful, lovely location near Kew Gardens. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rick E.

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

Classic Boat on the Thames

Mark provided everything we needed to have a great time on Seacrest. Plenty of food and coffee, guides, maps and books. There is plenty of room inside and wonderful views of wildlife out the panoramic windows. Overall we really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Hazel L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Quirky and different. A unique experience in the old boat.

Ease of entry on arrival super. Host amazingly accommodating and came out late at night to tell us about all the idiosyncracies of his beloved boat. It was cosy and perfectly located on lovely view of river. Beds clean and comfortable although a little short. It really had everything we needed for a short stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Isabel E.

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

Amazing stay

Mark was great at communicating with us and flexible about arival. I fell in love with the boat and the Thames is amazing to watch. Rowers, boats and wildlife. Great host.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark K., San Francisco

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

One of a kind stay in London

Mark was very responsive and helpful with our check in and helped us to take out the dinghy for an afternoon. The ceilings in the boat are a little low if you're over 6 feet, but it's a very unique and fun experience. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Timothy B.

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

Seacrest Respite

Mark a fine host Seacrest a classic old girl Fantastic location so close to Kew, train and tube stations, A plethora of fine pubs and restaurants within easy walking distance. Thank-You Mark/Anita T&V BIssett B.C. 🇨🇦
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas D.

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

Romantic spot on the Thames

This is an older wooden motor yacht, delightfully equipped, and conveniently located near Kew Bridge, across from a nature sanctuary. The host could not have been more cordial and helpful. Excellent pubs in walking distance, easy access to transport and the Thames Path.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter D.

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

Tribute to the tidal Thames

Six nights in a brilliant location, watching the ever-changing Thames as the tides rise and fall, providing an array of incredible birdlife. The boat is a little quirky, but cosy and comfortable - a little agility is needed to move between decks, but nothing daunting. Mark’s welcome and introduction left nothing wanting, and communication before and during our stay was first rate. All up.. magical!! Thanks, Mark.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Jason E.

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

Unique & Fun Stay – But Not for Everyone

Unique & Fun Stay – But Not for EveryoneWe had a really fun time staying on this charming historic boat across from Kew Gardens. It's definitely a memorable and unique experience—something different from the typical hotel or rental flat. The owner was lovely and very accommodating, even allowing us to check in early, which we really appreciated.That said, this place won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. While it has a lot of character, it’s also quite cluttered and feels like it could use a deep clean and a bit of general maintenance. The outdoor area was messy, with a yard full of goose droppings, which made it less pleasant to enjoy the outside space.Inside, while cozy and full of quirky charm, things were a bit dirty and disorganized. If you're someone who prefers pristine, polished spaces, this may not be the right fit. But if you’re up for something a bit rustic and don’t mind a few rough edges, it’s a fun and memorable place to stay.Overall, we genuinely enjoyed the experience, but just go in with realistic expectations—this is a charming, lived-in boat, not a luxury hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Michelle H., Utah, USA

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

Unique experience

We booked this property primarily because of its location so close to Kew Gardens. It is definitely a unique place to stay. So fascinating how the boat rested on the river bed at low tide and then the tide would rush in so quickly and the boat would gently sway as it raised with the water. The owner is very thoughtful leaving fresh flowers, fruit, and chocolates. And he’s very thorough with instructions. Know that this is not a luxury stay. Be prepared for the adventure of staying on a very old boat with a few spiders that is cramped and cluttered. If that doesn’t bother you, then you will definitely enjoy this experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Susan M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Do your research

This property is very small with ceilings under 5’10, we could not stay there at all. My husband is 6’2 and could not stand up straight without getting a concussion. The property owner was a lovely man, but I was ver disappointed with the description of the houseboat as a lot of information was absent and we could not get a refund. It was a sad start to our vacation.
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ellen-Jane B.

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

A little bit of paradise on the Thames

I had been looking forward to this stay , and I was not disappointed. Seacrest is a 109 year old motor boat moored on the Thames at Kew Bridge. It was but a five minute walk along the river bank from Kew Bridge Station to the find Seacrest hidden behind an imposing brick wall. Mark welcomed me and showed me around the boat and its workings. When he left I was confident I could make everything work and I had a sense of nearby places. The rooms were delightful and the top deck room provided a great view of the Kew Bridge, the wildlife, the rowers, swimmers and other boats. One did not really need to leave, but if you did there were lovely pubs, shops and cafes all within a 5-15 minute walk. The amazing thing, was the silence. On the other side of the path were multi story apartments, busy roads and the like, but my view was the river and all It entailed. For those looking for something different, something to put your feet up, or just a great base to explore this side of London, than Seacrest may be just what you need.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Craig C.

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

Hotels are boring next to Sea Crest

The Pros: Owner, Mark, is gracious, communicates well, provides a tour, and is generous with an attitude what his is yours to use. -You are entering Mark’s world and his play ground. He is nice enough to share his family retreat and now that he is retired & children are gone he shared it with us. I loved it!-there are his memories, journals, knickknacks, books, photos everywhere, yes it is a bit cluttered but has life. -it was fun to brag you are staying on a boat to others around the city and they are all eager to ask questions. -a time capsule -cast iron tub that is large and they must have built the boat around it 109 years ago, be sure to take a bath, lots of hot water. -the swans visit every day looking for an offering from you. -everything is different from the modern hotel but is highly usable. -compost toilet but does not stink-old school faucets with good water pressure -5 meter tide twice a day -bus stop is 100 yards away to everything and TUBE No reason to ever take a cab -very safe, of course you do have a moat around you with gate, and wall. -Cons: -Ceiling can be a head banger but you get use to where and when to duck quickly. Over 6’ tall and you will learn faster than others. -All Mark’s trinkets give the place a clutter feel. -Suck it up, you are in a time capsule, wonderful view, QUITE, SAFE, and everything works, just takes a bit of getting use to. -Beds are short as they all were in those days but comfort
Mid tide
Low tide
General quite view.  Loved it.   A hotel seems boring now
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Louis G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I loved the charm of this old boat. Such a super great experience. Mark was wonderful! very thoughtful and gave me all the instruction I needed to be comfortable on the boat. He even had laminated instructions and maps should any questions pop up about the boat or the local area.It was very interesting feeling the boat rise and fall with the tides. Something I didn't really expect, but found quite enjoyable. I loved it, and would absolutely do it again. thank you Mark:)
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

George/Jean M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely to be on the river watching the wildlife and the tides coming in and going out. A short walk to Kew Gardens. Kew Bridge station is very close by with trains to Waterloo. Kew Gardens Station a 20 minute walk. Everything was in working order. We slept very well. Mark communication was excellent.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa B.

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

An oasis floating in the Thames

This is an extraordinary location. It’s hard to believe you are really in London. The nature preserve on the estuary across from the houseboat makes this an extremely quiet and private spot while still being extremely convenient.When I was choosing this stay, I noticed that the reviews are mixed and that many people Noted that the boat is not perfectly clean or up-to-date. That is true. This is very much a family owned and loved and used houseboat, it’s over 100 years old, and it is not a spiffy twee B&B. But it is an extraordinary experience that I will repeat as soon as I possibly can. We found the beds very comfortable,
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Marian S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
The check in was very good but the boat really needs a good clean inside and out. There are a lot of personal items so it is hard to use surfaces. The washing machine cannot be accessed unless you contact Marc. The little fridge was difficult to control. Bring your own laptop if you want to watch movies as we didn’t have ours. Lots of hot water and the beds are comfortable with nice clean white sheets. The bathroom is fine. The best part was all the ducks, heron, egret & geese you see on the river and how close it is to the Thames path, Kew Gardens and the Musical Museum.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carla R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My second time staying on the boat and it was as delightful as the first. Definitely a different perspective on London and the Thames
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

annie

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a delightful old boat in an idyllic setting! Seeing the 'old' craft of making a boat, the woodwork, thinking thru how to naximize use of space fascinated me. Loved my stay. Mark is charming, be sure to have him tell you the history of the boat! He stocked the fridge with brekkie, there was a bowl of perfect apples and charming bouquets of flowers all about. I loved being on the river opposite the nature reserve island and all the creatures living on it. So much to watch, I ended up not going to any of the nifty pubs about, in favor of sitting on 'my' boat and enjoying the surroundings.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

About the host

Hosted by Mark Scorer

Host profile image
We are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests. Anita and I are passionate environmentalists with a keen interest in philosophy and a love of life on water. I've gravitated from seafaring all around the world to ending up on what I consider to be the best spot on the river Thames. We love to make the most of having London on our doorstep and attend the theatre, art exhibitions and concerts as often as we can. It would be our pleasure to share this idyllic backwater with you.

Anita's background is in theatre and she is well equipped to recommend all the best shows and art exhibitions in town (along with her favourite boutique shops and restaurants). I am a Financial Adviser who loves yoga, sailing, philosophy and the great outdoors.

Why they chose this property

Seacrest is truly unique. If you'd like a sneak preview, you can even see it, moored in its present location in the background shot of the Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night (with Ringo idling in the foreground).

A Historic vessel in beautiful condition, Seacrest has probably been lived on since the second world war. Builts of beautiful, well kept teak, she is furnished with cozy cabins, porthole windows and a full sized bathroom below. Above you can enjoy watching the birds on the nature reserve at the galley sink, and unbelievable sunrises and sunsets at the dining table.

The location is superb, connecting you to everything London has to offer whilst also providing the most peaceful, beautiful stay, enveloped in natural surroundings.

What makes this property unique

Everything about this home is unique, very few people have the opportunity to stay on the tidal Thames and experience the gentle rise and fall of the 20 feet tides, and the ebb and flow of this glorious river, with ducks, swans, geese and sometimes even seals peering in at the window.

Languages:

English