2 bedroom houseboat

Absolute Homes and Barge Walk are delighted to offer for sale this Historic Balliol Oxford College Barge dating back to the early 1800’s offering superb, stylish accommodation, whilst retaining many of the original aesthetic features making this a truly unique opportunity to acquire an amazing home and a piece of history.

At their Victorian peak there were perhaps thirty barges moored along the Isis but their numbers declined throughout the first half of the twentieth century. Not only were these barges very agreeable meeting places and viewing platforms during Eights Week, they were commonly towed down to Henley to serve the same purpose during the Royal Regatta. The final abandonment of barges between the mid-1950s and the late 1970s were all in favour of land based boathouses, making the remaining vessels rare items.

Balliol College Oxford, purchased this barge in 1837 from the City of London Livery Skinners’ Company to use as changing rooms, common room and viewing stand. It is only one of 6 known to still be in existence and was the last barge to be built.

Over the last 5 years this vessel has been restored and refurbished to present a superb example of 19th Century design with 21st Century interior fittings.

The 31ft entertaining space with open plan kitchen has weighted sash windows to both sides and an impressive barrelled and vaulted oak ceiling ( which continues through the vessel)/. There is a luxury fitted kitchen and both the double bedrooms have ensuite facilities.

Presently lying at Barge Walk, Ferry Lane, Thames Ditton. The vessel is available to purchase as ‘boat only’ to be moved away to another mooring or on a Pied de Tere mooring at Barge Walk with separate agreement with the marina for an annually renewable and payable mooring fee of £12,600 +VAT.

Double Aspect Living Space

Luxury fitted Kitchen

Barrelled Oak Ceilings

Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom

Guest bedroom with ensuite shower room

47’ Roof Terrace

Plantation Shutters to windows

Weighted opening sash windows

Electric radiator Heating

Black water tank

Shore feed electricity

Shore feed water

Recently refurbished