Jess, our CEO, was delighted to get the chance to bring you a personal review of her boat stay at the unique Sula Lightship.
When I told my family that I would visit the Sula Lightship in Gloucester my Mum and sister were keen to come along too.
We trundled along the walkway alongside the canal, gravitating towards the red ship with towering lantern. We crossed the gangplank to be greeted by Colin and Viv and were shown into our large multi-cabin space.
The owners live onboard at the other end of the boat, but that seems far away from our accommodation. We had our own entrance, deck, and space.
Upstairs is a sitting room with TV, dining table and kitchenette. We were pleased to find many thoughtful extras had been added by our hosts - but should you need anything extra there's a supermarket just a stroll away.
We decended the stairs to the lower deck where there is a spacious hall and shower room as well as 2 double bedrooms. The whole apartment is for you whether you are 1 or up to 4 people. Guests often choose to celebrate an event onboard.
Views to the canal were through portholes from the inside, or climb a vertical step ladder to the roof terrace where sunloungers awaited us. We were lucky to have glorious sunshine for our stay so spent most of our time up here - for cups of tea, evening drinks and breakfast.
Sula is moored in the best location on the canal with an interesting old warehouse to one side and fields and greenery to the other. This means that there is nothing to block the sun and sunset from this side, while other boats alongside go into the shade.
Should you not have such good weather, the hull of the boat offers another deck sheltered from the wind, and I spotted raincoats hung inside should there be unexpected rain!
This is an adult only environment (16+) and not for those without good mobility - but having said that, my mum of 83 managed to get around easily enough with a bit of care on the stairs. (She is in good shape for her age!!)
After a relaxing few hours on the deck watching the canal and bird life and soaking up the sun, we took a stroll along the canal path towards the quayside restaurants, crossing the lifting bridge and wandering amongst historic renovated warehouse buildings and boats until we decided upon the Greek on the Docks for dinner.
Waterside al fresco dining snuggled in blankets as the sun went down added to our canal experience. This was a Wednesday night and the place was buzzing - the whole area has a great atmosphere.
After a sound night (no rocking on this boat) and our rooftop breakfast (we had brought juice and croissants with us) plus a hot shower I was ready to be shown around this unique and historic vessel by Colin.
You can decline a tour, but I do think this is part of the adventure and should not be missed. I learnt that Sula had been anchored in the North Sea, being thrown around on its chain with a crew of 7 (who manned it in 2 week stints) with its clever prismed lantern throwing off a strong navigation warning, and a fog horn to hand too.
I climbed to the very top into the lantern room which was like a little sauna on this hot day!
Why not visit the National Waterways Museum in the quayside area, housed in a former warehouse, for more information about how the docks came to be with fun interactive exhibits.
Take a boat trip on the Queen Boadicea II in season. Or book your stay during the Tall Ships Festival (June) for extra excitement.
To make the most of the canal - take a kayak or paddle board out, or request a yoga class! There are many waterside cafes, bars and restaurants as well as shops within walking distance, so the Sula Lightship is a great base to discover this wonderful revived location.
If you are looking for a truly unique and historic stay, look no further!
In the very same week we also took a boating jaunt in Henley-on-Thames for an hour which was so pretty and lots of bird life - a great thing to do on a sunny afternoon! Check out Hobbs of Henley! Followed by cocktails on Under the Stars bar boat in Bristol Harbour. I have gone boat bonkers!
- Jess, CEO & Founder of QuiryAccom
QuirkyAccom also features many other boats stays, take a lok and book your stay on a boat now!
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