I own £1.9m house boat – we’ve had royals and pop stars over for dinner… there are extra perks you don’t get on land
A Floating house isn’t for everyone but this luxury ship could change your mind…if you can afford the £1.85m price tag.
Prospect Belle, docked in Wandsworth, London, features 3,000 square feet of living space spanning three floors.
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Fitted with five bedrooms, three bathrooms and plenty of dining areas, the houseboat has nearly three times the space of an average UK home at around 1,000 square feet.
It is owned by former Bonhams auction house director Nicholas Bonham, who has been drinking and dining with celebrities and even royalty on board.
Last year, he told Evening Standard: “We know a member of the royal family or two and have invited them to dinner on board — they all seem to like it.
“My wife [Sue] is a fashion designer and has made clothes for Sophie, Countess of Wessex – she and Prince Edward have been on board several times with pretty much every member of the pop world.
While Nicholas didn’t name any of his celebrity friends, the epic space speaks for itself.
It appears in Channel 4’s new series Britain’s Most Expensive Homes, which airs tonight and follows Sotheby’s International Realty’s attempt to sell high-end pads around the country.
floating tartis
Nicholas is full of praise for his “odd abode”, saying: “By far the best place I have ever lived, no question about that. I mean it has a great view but I’m a paddler.”
During a tour of the ship built in 1948, sales broker John described the large open space as “almost a Tardis” due to its completely open design.
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He explains that there’s “tons and tons of space,” which 22-year-old owner Nicholas explains is perfect for entertaining.
He told Standard: “It’s great for parties. I celebrated my brother’s 70th birthday party on the boat.
“He asked if 40 or 50 people could come and 110 people showed up. It was a beautiful June day and people were all over the boat, it was amazing.”
Boasting stunning views of the River Thames, the upper deck features an open plan living space equipped with a fully equipped kitchen.
Downstairs there are no less than five bedrooms – two with en-suite bathrooms – as well as a bathroom, utility room and office.
The boat is also fitted with double-glazed windows and a steel roof to ensure it doesn’t leak, while future owners can even return to Sky TV.
Added perks
And it’s not just the boat on offer. With a mooring cost of £6,000, the boat has land-based parking and access to a swimming pool and gym in the neighboring Prospect Quay housing development.
Sotheby’s Jaishree Brice estimates that a five-bedroom house – like the suites on a boat – in the same area would sell for £3.5 million.
She explains that there is an added bonus of not having to pay stamp duty on the houseboat. All on board!
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