Narrowboat Cotswolds River Thames

Lark Rise III is a narrowboat offered as static accommodation with free parking on site. She has views of the river, a multi-fuel stove, and is pet friendly. Lechlade-on-Thames is at the edge of the Cotswolds on the borders of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire and is an excellent choice to explore all three counties. Shops, pubs, restaurants, and supermarkets are within walking distance. Swindon rail station is 11.5 miles or 30 minutes drive.

Lark Rise III is a narrowboat and was built in 1989, and displays all the charm of an old narrowboat including handcrafted furnishings and items decorated with traditional canal art. Therefore, although she contains all the necessary facilities for self-catering, she is still an old ‘English country style’ boat.

This small yet cosy space is an ideal for a couples’ getaway, or as an alternative style accommodation for a single person needing a temporary stay for work purposes. South East facing, ensures that the boat gets lots of light during the day, and with a multi-fuel stove supplying two radiators she is a good choice for a quiet retreat all year round*. She is offered as static narrowboat accommodation (she can't be taken out) for up to 3 people with one double berth and one sofa bed.

Living/dining/working area

The living area is in the bow of the boat (the entrance to the boat) It has a large sofa bed** (for a third person) and a multi-fuel stove to keep you warm and toasty in wintertime. The stove also serves two radiators, one in the galley and the other in the bedroom, so the boat stays warm throughout. We supply sufficient wood for the duration of your stay, and enough coal to keep the stove in for each night of your stay***. We give you full instructions on how to use the stove.  

The dining area is adjacent to the galley and contains a folding leaf table that can seat up to 3 people. The table is also useful for using a laptop, or to play some of our board games that are provided. We do also provide wifi**** (not 5G at present). The additional coffee table in the living area can also serve as a work surface.

The galley

The galley is in the centre of the boat and is furnished with a gas oven and grill with a four ring gas hob. There is a small square sink with drainer. The galley contains work surfaces and cupboards. There is an undercounter fridge with a small freezer section at the top. The galley comes equipped with:

• Frying pan
• Saucepans
• Glass tumblers, wine glasses, beer glasses
• Cutlery
• Cooking utensils  
• Electric kettle, hob kettle & a Cafetiere
• Toaster
• Mugs
• Melamine dinner plates, side plates and bowls
• Baking trays & roasting tin
• Hand towel & tea towel
• The Shower room

Next to the bedroom is a small shower room. This has recently been renovated and has a basic shower with shower curtain and also has a chemical cassette toilet on board (this is cleaned and sanitised by us at the end of your stay, or at intervals if you are staying more than a few days). The following items are provided for you:

• Hand soap
• Hair and body wash
• Toilet rolls
• Bath towels, hand towel, and bath mat

Boats have a finite capacity for water heating at any one time. Therefore, showers are designed for a quick wash, rather than a long hot shower, otherwise you may find the water starts to run cool. If you have long hair you may find you need to wash it separately to having a shower.

The Bedroom

The cabin style bedroom has a 4 foot width double bed and is located in the stern of the boat. The room has windows either side, one looking over the marina and the other over the grass seating area outside. It has a short wardrobe with shelf and hanging space for 3 people people. There is also a hair dryer kept inside the wardrobe.

Outdoor space

In addition to the boat, we also have outdoor spaces both have views across the Thames and over the rest of the marina. The first is a small seating area on the bow of the boat, very useful in the summer months to sit and drink coffee. Off the boat there is a grass area. In the summer we provide a table and chairs for you to eat al fresco or to watch the sunset with your favourite tipple. We also have outdoor games, such as Pétanque, giant dominos and quoits. There is always plenty of wildlife around too, and we regularly see geese, swans, and kingfishers, just to name a few. 

Lark Rise III is ideal if you are looking for a quiet getaway by the river, a unique stay, accommodation with work space if working away from home, or a pet friendly place. Maybe you are looking to buy your own boat and would like to try one out first, if so, we are more than happy to talk ‘boats’ with you during your stay. 

We would advise you to think carefully before buying a narrowboat experience for somebody else as a gift. We would strongly advise that you discuss it with them first before booking. 

Please note: 

* Potential for noise: Lechlade Music Festival is held every year over the last bank holiday in May. The festival is held in the fields opposite the boat however, it stops promptly at 23.00 each night. The music can be quite loud and can be heard on the marina. Please bear this in mind when booking. Lechlade, as the crow flies, is also very close to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) held in Fairford in mid July. You may relish the thought of watching the air displays overhead, but again they can be noisy. We suggest that if you are considering booking with us around those times,  and you would like a quiet stay, that you contact us to find out the exact dates for those events. 

** The sofa bed will be equipped with a sleeping bag and pillow for a third person.

*** We have roughly calculated the amount of wood and coal (coal not supplied during the Summer) that you will need for the duration of your stay. However, extra coal and wood may be purchased from us, see the house rules for details. 

**** Wifi is subject to fair usage.

***** We do not accept children under the age of 12yrs.