A Private Retreat on Oulton Broad
Stay on a floating houseboat – reached only by boat
Sleeps 4 • Exclusive use • Private self-drive day boat included
Short breaks (3–4 nights): £690 total
Weeks: £1,150–£1590 total
No boating experience needed
A front row seat to one of the richest wildlife landscapes in Britain
No roads. Just water, wildlife & quiet.
Call or text 07380 339 954 for availability and enquiries
A day at the Waterhouse
A day at the Waterhouse
Arrive to a warm, welcoming boat.
Take the launch across to Somerleyton, tie up and wander up to the Duke’s Head for a slow lunch — maybe a whisky or two from their rather good selection.
On the way back, stop at the yacht station,pick up supper from Oulton Broad, and head home across the Broad.
Sit out on the verandah as the light fades, feeding the gulls and watching them turn and dive — effortless, precise, extraordinary to watch.
No roads. Just water, wildlife, and a day that unfolds at its own pace.
🌿 What to Expect
The Waterhouse is an off-grid floating retreat on Oulton Broad in the Broads National Park, offering peaceful seclusion, wide open water views, and the kind of stillness you don’t often find anymore.
Step aboard and leave the noise behind.
The Waterhouse offers two snug double bedrooms with crisp bedlinen, insect screens for peaceful sleep, and hot water bottles for chilly nights under the stars, listening to the sound of otters and mute swans.
The kitchen is thoughtfully equipped with a gas oven and hob, a solar-powered fridge with a small freezer, and all the essentials you’ll need to cook, snack, or simply brew a perfect cup of tea.
The bathroom is bright, with a roomy shower, a handbasin, and a clean, well-maintained composting toilet.
In the lounge, you’ll find comfy sofas, original artwork, a woodburning stove for cooler evenings, and wide, panoramic views across the Broad.
Step outside to the covered verandah — your front-row seat to swan parades, shifting skies, and the slow rhythm of river life. There’s a dining table, comfortable seating, and space to breathe.
You’ll also have your own small launch to explore the waterways. We even provide a picnic basket, just in case you find a secret spot and want to linger.
🚤 Your Launch
Reaching the Waterhouse is part of the experience.
Your stay includes the use of a small classic launch which carries you between the yacht station and the houseboat in just a few peaceful minutes across Oulton Broad.
Most guests find it very easy to handle after a short introduction, and no boating experience is required.
Once you’re there, the Broads are yours to explore — and we even provide a picnic basket in case you discover a quiet spot and want to linger
🎣🚫 A Note About Fishing
The Waterhouse is moored on the edge of a local nature reserve, surrounded by wetland wildlife — including swans, otters, and many more.
To help protect this peaceful setting, we ask you not to fish— either from The Waterhouse or the classic launch.
We thank you for supporting a quiet, respectful stay in this special place.
🛠 Just a Few Useful Things to Know
- Power & Water:
The Waterhouse runs on solar power (12V only), with 400 litres of fresh water stored onboard. Everything is off-grid, but enough for quick showers, hot drinks, and lighting — just not hairdryers or toasters. - Wildlife:
You’ll be sharing space with swans, geese, and other wetland creatures. Floating bird food is on board. If your really lucky you might see the local otter or get to hear him eating breakfast under the verandah. - Security Cameras:
There is a rear-facing camera for wildlife watching and mooring safety. It doesn’t capture any part of the interior or verandah, the camera at the front is disabled when guests are aboard. - Lights:
Verandah lights are solar powered and lovely at dusk. There are mooring lights at the doorway which automatically turn off around midnight, - The Launch:
The boat is licenced and BSC checked to hire standards and is part of your stay. We ask for a £200 refundable breakages deposit, returned within 72 hours of checkout if everything is shipshape. - Laundrette: There are laundry facilities at the Yacht Station and even a great shower if you’re worried about water
Leave the car behind — The Waterhouse is only accessible by boat, and that’s part of the magic.
You’ll be met at the Oulton Broad Yacht Station, and welcomed aboard, you’ll be shown how to handle your launch.
You will be taken out to The Waterhouse, guided through helming the boat and mooring safely, and we will return with you to the Yacht Station. You won’t be left until you feel confident navigating your way solo.
From then on, the river is yours.