Living in London on a houseboat

Well moored on the southern banks of the Thames, Woods is a spectacularly converted 1950s Dutch barge with a 120-year-old berth at Oyster Pier in Battersea, London. It was designed by LAB Architects for their family and has three bedrooms, two living rooms, a utility room, a kitchen / dining room and a beautiful conservatory on the deck. With over 200sqm of interior space, Bosco offers all the benefits of a fantastic family home, with the unique addition of the tranquility that comes from life on the river.

In its trading past, Bosco was a cargo barge that crossed European waterways carrying grain and coal. To transform it into a comfortable family home, the ship required a complete redesign; a new upper section in steel and glass was designed, while the interior space was arranged to follow the rhythm of the existing brass portholes.

Interiors

The light-filled entrance, accessible from the central deck, has a great views of the Thames and on Imperial Wharf on the North Bank. The kitchen is an island in Carrara marble, which also continues on the worktops. The stainless steel cabinets have been paired with oak wood paneling and light filters through a picture window and the stained glass windows of the former wheelhouse.

The space below decks has been divided into three parts: the master bedroom and private bathroom are at one end, the children’s quarters at the other, and there are common spaces in between. The master bedroom is located aft with parquet floors and ceilings framed by wood paneled walls. There are also built in wardrobes and a private bathroom with an elegant Victorian tiled floor.

A fireplace is hidden under the staircase on the upper deck. One room is used as a study with desks and a hanging chair for reading. Beyond are two bedrooms with double cabins, both with integrated closet and a foldaway bed for guests. Don’t miss the cinema room with benches.

The outdoor spaces

Stairs lead from the center of the barge to the bridge and the beautiful conservatory. The large wooden floor creates a warm hue, complemented by natural colored curtains; the space itself is filled with greenery and is a wonderfully contemplative and peaceful environment.

The price? 1,800,000 pounds.