Entire house boat

Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends

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

A table with a decorative item and a card, a window with a view of a river and buildings, and blue curtains. - Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends (London)
A compact kitchen with wooden cabinetry, a sink, and a small refrigerator. - Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends (London)
A cozy bedroom with a bed, curtains, a window, and a shelf with decorative items. - Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends (London)
A compact, well-organized interior with a kitchenette, seating area, and a window providing a view of the water outside. - Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends (London)
A narrow hallway with wooden flooring, a radiator, and a door on the right. - Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends (London)
Located close to Kensington Gardens, Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends has plenty to offer. Stay connected with in-room WiFi.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Parking available
  • Fireplace

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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.

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About the neighborhood

City of Westminster, a neighborhood in London, is home to this houseboat. Marble Arch and Royal Albert Hall are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Consider Excel London for a night out, and don't miss Natural History Museum, a top local attraction. Visit our London travel guide
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Map
London, England

What's nearby

  • A red building with 'ALICE'S' signage and a 'POST OFFICE' sign.
    Westbourne Grove
    7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • A modern urban plaza with a fitness center, a health assessment area, and a food court.
    Paddington Central
    12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • A stone monument with the inscription "Lord's Cricket Ground" and relief sculptures of cricket players.
    Lord's Cricket Ground
    17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • A river with boats, a gazebo, and autumn trees.
    Hyde Park
    7 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Queensway
    15 min walk - 1.3 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Vanak Persian Restaurant
    6 min walk
  • Waterside Cafe
    6 min walk
  • Real Drinks
    7 min walk
  • The Bridge House
    5 min walk
  • Hero of Maida
    7 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 is parking?

Onsite 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?

Check-out 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 mi (2 km) of Queensway, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens. Oxford Street and Marble Arch are also within 2 mi (3 km). Royal Oak Underground Station is 7 minutes by foot and Warwick Avenue Underground Station is 8 minutes.

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Reviews

Cosy Canal Boat in Little Venice for Family & Friends Reviews

8.6

Excellent

9.0

Cleanliness

9.4

Location
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 17 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 17 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 17 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 17 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

8/10 Good

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 review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a joy it was to stay on the Princess Lucy. I booked her because I was doing research for a novel. But Little Venice is such a lovely area, and the boat was a delight. I spent several evenings picnicking on the bow with visiting friends, and just sitting out to read until late. 10/10 would book again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a peaceful, lovely stay. Little Venice is an easy walk from Paddington Station, while also being a world in itself. The boat is cozy with a nice seating area near the entrance, a very workable kitchen, and room outside for two or three to enjoy drinks or a meal. It is a treat to see swans and other water birds out the windows. Rather than run the engine for hot water, we used the stove to warm up water for personal hygiene. The host left wood for heat, but we didn't need it. The battery-powered lamps gave plenty of light. I hope to stay aboard the Princess Lucy again on my next visit to London. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

8/10 Good

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

6/10 Okay

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 review

10/10 Excellent

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 review

4/10 Poor

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 review

6/10 Okay

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
Verified review

4/10 Poor

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our stay on the narrow boat was so unique - a perfect way to end our travels and easy to get to Heathrow from nearby paddington station. We stayed comfortably as a family of four for one night - it was certainly a bit crowded with all of our luggage but that was to be expected with four people and suitcases we brought for a longer trip. The boat was docked in a safe and cool neighborhood- we went out to dinner and breakfast locally and there were great nearby options. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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