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 home isn't for everyone but this luxury vessel might change your mind… if you can afford the £1.85million price tag.
Prospect Belle, which is docked in Wandsworth, London, has a whopping 3,000 square feet of living space that spans three floors.
Kitted out with five bedrooms, three bathrooms and multiple dining areas, the house boat has nearly triple the space of an average UK home at roughly 1,000 sq ft.
It’s owned by the former director of Bonhams auction house, Nicholas Bonham, who has wined and dined celebrities and even royalty on board.
Last year, he told the : “We know one or two members of royalty and have had them on board for dinners — they all seem to love it.
“My wife [Sue] is a fashion designer and made clothes for Sophie, Countess of Wessex — she and Prince Edward have been on board a number of times along with quite a few members of the pop world.”
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While Nicholas didn’t name drop any of his famous pals, the grandiose space speaks for itself.
It features in the new series of Channel 4’s Britain’s Most Expensive Houses, which airs tonight and follows UK Sotheby’s International Realty try to sell premium pads around the country.
Floating tardis
Nicholas is full of praise for his “quirky residence”, stating: “It’s been, by far, the best place I’ve ever lived, no questions about it. I mean it has fantastic views but I’m a boater.”
During a tour of the boat, which was built in 1948, salesbroker John describes the vast open space as “almost a Tardis” due to being fully open-plan.
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He explained there was “tonnes and tonnes of space”, which owner of 22 years Nicholas explained was perfect for entertaining.
He told the Standard: “It is wonderful for parties. I offered my brother a party on the boat for his 70th birthday.
“He asked if 40 or 50 people could come and 110 turned up. It was a beautiful June day and people were spread all over the boat, it was fantastic.”
Boasting fantastic views of the River Thames, the upper deck offers an open plan living space equipped with a fully-fitted kitchen.
The lower level hides no less than five bedrooms - two with en suites - as well as a bathroom, utility room and study.
The boat is also fitted with double glazed windows and a steel roof to ensure it doesn't leak, while prospective owners can even kick back with Sky TV.
Added perks
And it’s not just the boat on offer. With mooring costs of £6,000, the boat comes with a land-side parking space and access to a pool and gym facilities in the neighbouring Prospect Quay housing development.
Sotheby’s Jaishree Brice estimates that a five-bedroom house - the same rooms as on the boat - in the same area would sell for £3.5million.
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She explains that there is the added bonus of no stamp duty payable on houseboats too. All onboard!
Britain's Most Expensive Houses airs Thursday nights at 9pm on Channel 4.
