The Arts Barge
Beautifully curated canal boat on the River Lea in Hackney offering a unique design-led stay on the water in London.
- Sleeps 4
- 2
- 1
Highlights
- Stay aboard a beautifully renovated boutique canal boat on the River Lea, combining the romance of life on the water with striking interiors, local art and easy access to central London.
- Wake up in peaceful Lower Clapton and step straight out beside the river, where waterside walks and cycle rides offer a wonderfully relaxed way to experience a different side of East London.
- Settle into an interior curated by the boat’s art director owner, where designer furnishings, distinctive pieces from local artists and layers of atmospheric lighting make every corner feel considered.
- Spend easy evenings in the cosy saloon, sinking into the sofa with Netflix before retreating to one of two characterful sleeping spaces tucked towards the bow.
- Start mornings with fresh coffee from the espresso machine around the gorgeous green marble-topped dining table, before heading out to discover Hackney’s independent cafés and restaurants.
- Enjoy the best of both worlds, with a tranquil mooring and riverside pub right next door, yet excellent transport connections putting Stratford, Liverpool Street and central London within easy reach.
- Experience genuine canal boat living in an eco-conscious space, where a freshwater tank, compost toilet and adapted appliances make your stay a little different from the average London city break.
You should know
- The kitchen is intended for preparing light meals and has a microwave and air fryer, but there is no traditional cooker or hob and no dishwasher.
- The freshwater tank provides around 100 minutes of water usage and may need refilling on stays of more than three days. This is done using a hose and the nearby water point.
- The bathroom has an eco-friendly compost toilet and there is no washing machine or other laundry facility aboard.
- A rechargeable hairdryer is provided as the boat’s power system means some electrical appliances need to be adapted.
- Children are welcome, but the open water, compact interior and delicate furnishings mean they will need close supervision.
- The Arts Barge is moored within a peaceful riverside community, so guests are asked to be considerate and discreet around the mooring.
- Sleeping arrangements comprise a king size bed in the main cabin and a raised double bed tucked into the second cabin.
The details
There aren’t many London stays where you can wake up on the water, step outside onto the banks of the River Lea and still have the capital’s biggest attractions within easy reach. The Arts Barge offers exactly that. Moored in Lower Clapton, this one-of-a-kind boutique canal boat has been meticulously renovated by its art director owner, with designer furnishings, work by local artists and carefully considered details creating a stay that feels every bit as special as its setting.
Step through the little double doors and down into the beautifully restored interior, where warm lighting and characterful design make the boat feel wonderfully inviting. The kitchen comes equipped for preparing lighter meals, with a microwave, air fryer, kettle and espresso machine, while a gorgeous green marble-topped dining table provides a stylish spot for leisurely breakfasts and evening drinks. There’s no cooker or hob, but with Hackney’s wealth of places to eat nearby you’ll have plenty of excuses to head out and explore.
Continue through to the cosy saloon, where you can sink into the sofa or armchair and settle down with Netflix on the TV. Layered ambient lighting gives the space a warm glow after dark, making evenings aboard feel particularly atmospheric as life carries on quietly along the river outside.
The Arts Barge sleeps four across two distinctive cabins. One features a raised double bed tucked into a cosy, cocoon-like nook, while the main cabin at the bow offers a king size bed and wardrobe space. There’s also a compact bathroom with a shower, sink and eco-friendly compost toilet. The boat has been designed with its environmental impact in mind, so life here works a little differently to a conventional apartment, adding to the authentic experience of staying on the water.
Outside, the River Lea towpath invites you to set off on foot or by bike through East London. Lower Clapton is packed with independent cafés and creative energy, while The Princess of Wales pub sits right beside the mooring for riverside drinks, Sunday roasts and dinner. Lea Bridge Station is around a five to seven-minute walk away, with Stratford less than 10 minutes by train, while Clapton offers direct services to Liverpool Street, putting the rest of London within easy reach.
There aren’t many London stays where you can wake up on the water, step outside onto the banks of the River Lea and still have the capital’s biggest attractions within easy reach. The Arts Barge offers exactly that. Moored in Lower Clapton, this one-of-a-kind boutique canal boat has been meticulously renovated by its art director owner, with designer furnishings, work by local artists and carefully considered details creating a stay that feels every bit as special as its setting.
Step through the little double doors and down into the beautifully restored interior, where warm lighting and characterful design make the boat feel wonderfully inviting. The kitchen comes equipped for preparing lighter meals, with a microwave, air fryer, kettle and espresso machine, while a gorgeous green marble-topped dining table provides a stylish spot for leisurely breakfasts and evening drinks. There’s no cooker or hob, but with Hackney’s wealth of places to eat nearby you’ll have plenty of excuses to head out and explore.
Continue through to the cosy saloon, where you can sink into the sofa or armchair and settle down with Netflix on the TV. Layered ambient lighting gives the space a warm glow after dark, making evenings aboard feel particularly atmospheric as life carries on quietly along the river outside.
The Arts Barge sleeps four across two distinctive cabins. One features a raised double bed tucked into a cosy, cocoon-like nook, while the main cabin at the bow offers a king size bed and wardrobe space. There’s also a compact bathroom with a shower, sink and eco-friendly compost toilet. The boat has been designed with its environmental impact in mind, so life here works a little differently to a conventional apartment, adding to the authentic experience of staying on the water.
Outside, the River Lea towpath invites you to set off on foot or by bike through East London. Lower Clapton is packed with independent cafés and creative energy, while The Princess of Wales pub sits right beside the mooring for riverside drinks, Sunday roasts and dinner. Lea Bridge Station is around a five to seven-minute walk away, with Stratford less than 10 minutes by train, while Clapton offers direct services to Liverpool Street, putting the rest of London within easy reach.
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