Welcome to Thistle Dream, our cherished canal boat. Whether you want an unusual place to stay or just a great base, this static boat provides all the creature comforts of a house.
Thistle Dream is a spacious and well appointed 70 foot long wide beam canal boat with two double cabins, a luxury kitchen with a stunning marble worktop and breakfast bar, a dining area with a 4 person glass table and a lounge area with a large 42 inch TV and comfy sofa, as well as an occasional chair.
Amenities include a sink with running hot and cold water, fridge with a freezer shelf, toaster, gas oven, 4 burner gas hob and extractor fan as well as a coffee machine. The island provides a great space for cooking or for use as a breakfast bar. There are plenty of LED lights and plug sockets throughout.
The master bedroom has double doors that open out to the bow where you can watch the world go by and access the roof sundeck. The sumptuous king size memory foam bed is furnished with premium Egyptian cotton linen. From the bed, press a button and the large 42 inch screen TV will rise from the dressing table to give you Netflix and Amazon as well as other streaming services. There are two double wardrobes and plenty of drawers and cupboards. There are two porthole windows and double glazed doors leading out to the bow.
The second bedroom has a comfy double bed, luxury Egyptian cotton bedding, wall mounted 32 inch TV with Netflix/Amazon, an XBOX console, a double wardrobe and a dressing table. There is a porthole window.
The fifth bed is the lounge sofa which converts into a sofa bed. This suits children best as the mattress is not as thick as a standard bed.
As well as the previously mentioned sofa, the lounge area comprises a stylish leopard print armchair, rustic coffee tables and an attractive skylight where sunlight can flood in. Plenty of windows give you an opportunity to watch the world go by. The wood burning fire is available to use for a surcharge. The TV has access to Netflix/Amazon/Disney Plus and satellite TV channels. There is a double swan hatch which you can open to feed the ducks (or swans) at your leisure. There is a selection of board games for the family to enjoy.
At the stern of the boat, there is a second raised eating area under a canvas roof which has a large table that can seat 10 people. Important to note: You may notice some noises that you are not used to. These include creaking ropes, wildlife, water/toilet pumps and the heating system when it comes on. These are completely normal and will add to your unique experience.
As you are on a canal, there will be some motion of the boat, especially when other boats pass by, however movement will be minimal. If the above concerns you, then please consider carefully before booking.
Unfortunately as we are not connected to the mains, the dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, freezer, wine cooler and jacuzzi bath is not available to use. Using them whilst not attached to the mains would run the batteries down during your stay, resulting in power loss. It may also damage the batteries which are not designed for heavy use without the engine running.
This a static let, which means that the boat will be still for the entire rental. The whole boat is yours for the duration of your stay. The boat is moored on the Grand Union canal, where there are plenty of lovely walks to enjoy. Please note that the canal is set within an industrial area so you may have views of warehouses and machinery through the trees. Within a couple of minutes walk is some lovely countryside along the canal with pretty locks, a canal side pub and some play areas.
There are many walks in the area where you will find a canal lock, a
lovely pub that serves delicious food and a park with a kids playground.
Windsor Castle is only 20 minutes away by car and Kew Gardens around
half an hour away. Runnymede on Thames is only 15 minutes away, and it's
less than an hour to London.
Uxbridge has retained a sense of its history despite the inexorable developments of the 21st century. Originally constructed in 1858, Hillingdon Court was purchased by the state in 1925 and is now accessible to the general public. Hillingdon Court features a large garden space that is perfect for exploring.
Alternatively, find a tranquil escape from the bustle of the city in the beautiful Kew Gardens, Carville Hall Park or along the banks of the nearby River Thames. Uxbridge, though, is perhaps most famous for the Battle of Britain bunker- a location where Winston Churchill dwelt during perilous periods in World War II. The bunker is now open to the public-tour guides are available to learn more about the history of the bunker and World War Two in general.
Windsor castle and all that Windsor offers is only a 20 minute drive away.
Runnymede on The River Thames is a 15 minute drive. The water-meadow at Runnymede is the most likely location at which, in 1215, King John sealed Magna Carta.
For thrill seekers, Thorpe Park and Lego Land is only 20 minutes away and for those attending sporting events at Wembley or Ascot, you can get to both in under half an hour.
Stocking up with food couldn't be easier as LIDL is just half a mile from the boat, with quite a few restaurants and takeaways on route.
Parking is free at The Malt Shovel pub where you must register your car details both on arrival and departure. The boat is a few minutes walk away. There are residential streets where free parking is also possible between 5pm on Friday and Monday.
IMPORTANT: This is a boat so there are limitations that you may wish to consider when booking. The boat is powered by batteries and so to avoid running out of power you must be mindful of power use. The water tank will only last if you are very careful so please do not waste water by having long showers or running taps at full power. The tap water is not drinking water so please use the complimentary water supplied.
The toilet is a special macerator version designed for boats. Flushing should be done sparingly as there is a small waste tank on board. The only things that can be flushed are human waste and the thin toilet paper supplied, so place other sanitary products in the bin supplied. Even thicker paper such as the quilted types will block and potentially break the toilet, so if the toilet is damaged through incorrect use then you may be charged.
There are people living in adjacent boats, so please consider noise when on the boat. The walls are thinner than in a house so bear that in mind.
