This impressive five-bedroom houseboat with beautiful views on the River Thames has gone on the market for £1.8m.
The converted Thames Lighter is moored at swanky Prospect Quay in south west London.
Its owner, Nick Bonham of the family that set up the famous auction house, has had the boat for more than 20 years and has hosted British and European royalty on it as well as actors and musicians.
Those who love life on the water may be interested to learn this stunning five-bedroom houseboat with fabulous views on the River Thames has gone on the market for a cool £1.8m
It’s believed Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who are known good friends of the Bonham’s, are among those who have enjoyed spending time on the luxury water-pad.
It is now on the market with estate agents Malverns.
The boat has 2,885 sq ft of living space inside, with another 1,655 sq ft of outdoor space.
Upstairs there is a a huge open plan reception come dining room area plus a kitchen-diner which is flooded with natural light, while there’s also an upper terrace above
The houseboat comes with a modern fully-fitted kitchen/breakfast room, front and rear decks and a roof terrace offering fabulous views
On the lower level it has five double bedrooms, two with en suite bedrooms, a utility room, study, additional sitting room and another separate bathroom.
On the upper deck it has an open plan living area with a fully fitted kitchen/breakfast room, front and rear decks and a roof terrace with beautiful views of the River Thames.
The mooring costs are £6,000 a year and for that sum the owners get access to parking facilities, a porter, swimming pool and gym.
It sits across to the exclusive Hurlingham Club.
Two of the bedrooms out of five on the converted Thames Lighter on the lower deck are en-suites. There’s also a study which is ideal for a work-from-home space
This houseboat has its berth next to Wandsworth Park and overlooks the grounds of The Hurlingham Club. You simply can’t beat the stunning views from here
Owner Nick Bonham and his wife Sue (pictured together) have lived on the boat for two decades and have hosted parties of 70 or so many times. They once are believed to have squeezed 100 people on it
Mr Bonham, 70, decided to sell after he and wife Sue spent a lot of their time this year at their other property on the Isle of Wight and less time in London.
He said: ‘We came to be locked down at our little house in Cowes, where I do all my boat racing, and want to spend four or five days a week now there.
‘The houseboat is too big for just two days a week in London so it’s time to move on.
‘I’ve been here over 20 years, which is the longest I’ve lived in a place.
‘I love boating and water, I’m a third generation sailor. It is a way of life and style of life but you don’t have to be a sailor to live here.
‘This houseboat has an enormous amount of space, it’s bigger than most people’s houses in central London.
‘In the main part of the drawing room the ceiliings are about 9-10ft high. I’ve never felt claustrophobic on the boat.
‘It has all the mod cons of a house, double glazing, insulated, a steel roof so it doesn’t leak, broadband, Sky TV.
‘It’s got a light, bright, airy feel about it and in the summer when it’s hot we get a nice breeze coming down the river.
‘The river is quite calm but you can feel it rock a little when the river bus comes in and out. That’s a great way of getting into the city – it’s a 2..5-minute walk then a 40-minute ride into the city.
Light and airy: The houseboat is flooded with natural light making the space look even bigger than the boat’s 2,885 sq ft of living space inside. There’s an additional 1,655 sq ft of outdoor space
You don’t have to be a sailor to live here. The dining room makes a great place to entertain guests on those long those lingering evening get-togethers
Make a splash: Expect to be gently rocked in the houseboat from time to time when the river bus comes in and out which is all part of the river experience
Mooring and maintenance fees are £6,000 per annum but they include parking facilities, porter, swimming pool and gymnasium access in the adjoining residential development
The new buyer will not have to compromise on their health and fitness goals. No need to dive in the river as the property gives you full access to the nearby swimming pool
‘The boat comes with a private parking space, and access to a gym and swimming pool. It’s a wonderful situation.
‘The cost per square foot you get a lot of bangs for your bucks and it’s a very satisfying way of life.
‘There’s a great little community among the owners – you don’t find that in streets in London very often. I’m going to miss it enormously.’
Someone could potentially have an idyllic life on the water aboard this boat which has 2,885 sq ft of living space inside, with another 1,655 sq ft of outdoor space