We offer complete privacy with a locked gatehouse and no public access to the mooring: a hidden oasis of nature, luminosity and calm in a secluded setting on the water, right in the heart of the city. Our guests can use our BBQ, seating in the outside space on the mooring, and rowboat in summer.
With shops, restaurants and local transport close by at Kings Cross and Islington, Galatée has everything you'll need to discover life on the water and enjoy an original stay in London!
The space
Galatée is a new houseboat located on a secluded wooded mooring, private and gated, right in the heart of London. She is fully secure and has the important advantage of a beautiful permanent mooring which enables her to be fully equipped with mains electricity and plentiful water. She is light and bright, has central heating and electric fan heaters. The environment is quiet and green.
When possible we will be there personally to welcome you and explain everything about life on board Galatée and how the mooring works. If we are away a friend will meet and greet you. Wifi is available free of charge.
Please note that there are 25 steps down to the mooring and two entrances to the boat at the bow and at the stern:
- In the bow there is a deck with seating and double doors into the front cosy cabin comprising a small living room with folding table and chairs, and single sofa-bed (80 cms wide), and a large cupboard separation with a cabin and double berth. This berth has a footwell in order to accommodate a full size mattress (140 cms wide by 195 cms long) between the sides of the cabin.
- there is a bathroom with basin, shower/small bath and plentiful hot water, and a chemical toilet.
- At the stern there is a spacious wheelhouse with a table and a couch under the roof. The wheelhouse gives access down 3 steps to the main living space, with sitting area, dining table and kitchen (utensils, oven, toaster, Nespresso, Nutribullet...). The Ligne Roset sofa opens into a comfortable sofa-bed (160 cms wide). There is a second bathroom to serve this part of the boat.
There is central heating and electric fan heaters, as well as a solid fuel stove if required.
The bow and stern parts are linked by a corridor where there is a full size fridge and a microwave.
Living on board is comfortable and fun but there are some things to remember:
- you must be aware that space on board is more confined and the interior soundproofing is less efficient than in an apartment;
- water on board Galatée is perfectly fresh and drinkable from all the taps. The water is stored in a tank under the flooring and you will hear a noise from the supply pump when taps are turned on;
- there are two chemical toilets (Thetford).
Full linen is provided, as well as an iron, hair dryer and complimentary soaps/shampooing. At the gatehouse you will find a washing machine and tumble dryer.
There is a small supermarket round the corner and it's an easy walk to Islington Angel shopping center (Waitrose, M&S, Sainsbury's) and to Chapel Market for fresh market food.
Living on a houseboat is not like living on dry land. Some people expect it to be cold and damp, but our home is dry and warm. Galatée is securely moored and does not sway except in the wake of a large boat going by. Regent's Canal is picturesque and peaceful and there is a beautiful view over the water by day and night; you can see local wildlife on the canal and on the mooring, and from time to time see other house-boaters go chugging by or wait for their turn to go through the tunnel. The Islington tunnel is almost a mile long and can only take boats in one direction at a time. We hope you will enjoy living on the water!
Some extra facilities:
We have a BBQ which you may use. You can sit outside on the bow deck and in the small outside area at the stern of the boat where there are benches, coffee table and a hammock.
We are also pleased to offer the possibility of using our beautiful little clinker-built rowing boat, called Acis, in the spring/summer, if you already know how to use a rowing boat. Please ask us beforehand; it is of course at your own risk for yourself and your passengers. Maximum 3 people aboard. Note that rowing is quite hard work! The canal sometimes has some traffic and needs to be navigated with care. It is a pleasant row up to the Rotunda pub at Kings Place (just 6-10 minutes) or you can go a little further on to visit Granary Square with its fountains and many excellent restaurants or do some shopping at Waitrose!
Guest access
The gatehouse is always kept locked. You should call us by phone to gain access when you first arrive. There are 25 steps down to the mooring.
For your arrival, please note that if we are not at home, we will organise for the housekeeper to meet you and show you round the boat (self-checkin is not possible). We need a 2 hour time-frame for your arrival please. If it has to be later than 7pm there will be a £30 charge for the housekeeper's after-hours time. Thank you.
Other things to note
Galatée has everything you'll need to discover life on the water and enjoy an original stay in London!
