Beautiful modern rustic widebeam barge

Swap ordinary accommodation for a genuine experience of life on the river. Our wide-beam barge is comfortable, quirky and peaceful rather than polished luxury. It's ideal for guests who appreciate nature, character and a slower pace of life. The river changes with the seasons, so expect wildlife, trees, leaves and the charm that comes with an outdoor waterside environment. The space Float On is a comfortable, characterful wide-beam barge moored in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Shillingford, perfectly placed for exploring Oxford, Henley-on-Thames, Reading and the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Life on the river is peaceful, ever-changing and close to nature. Wake to birdsong, watch boats drift past and enjoy a slower pace of life from the comfort of your own floating retreat. If you're looking for a unique stay with character, you'll love it here. If you're expecting a luxury yacht or hotel experience, Float On is probably not the right fit. The boat has been thoughtfully renovated to create a cosy and welcoming space, with wooden floors throughout. The open-plan kitchen and living area is light and spacious, making it the perfect place to relax after a day exploring. Meals can be enjoyed at the breakfast bar indoors or outside on the deck when the weather is kind. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge with a small freezer compartment, a four-burner gas hob and a double oven, providing everything you need for self-catering. Heating is provided by a traditional wood-burning squirrel stove in the living area (logs available for a small additional contribution), together with underfloor heating in the bedroom and bathroom, keeping the boat warm and comfortable throughout the year. The living area includes a comfortable sofa and armchair, a flat-screen Smart TV and a high-quality stereo with Tannoy speakers. If you can use your phone as a mobile hotspot, you can stream services such as Netflix and make use of the Smart TV features. A selection of films is also available offline via hard drive, along with books, board games and local recommendations to help you make the most of your stay. The tiled bathroom features a power shower, wash basin and an eco-friendly composting toilet. The bedroom has a cosy small double bed and storage for your belongings. Outside, you'll find seating on the deck for relaxing or dining al fresco, along with deck chairs for sunny afternoons. A picnic bench on the riverbank beside the boat is also available for guests to enjoy. Access to the boat is via the riverbank on residential moorings, and the step up onto (rare - when the river is very high) or down into the boat (more common) can vary depending on river levels and rainfall. Boats naturally have more unusual access than a house or apartment, so unfortunately Float On is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. For an additional fee, we're delighted to offer private yoga sessions during your stay. Esther is a fully qualified and insured yoga teacher with over 20 years of corporate experience and specialises in creating welcoming, accessible sessions for all abilities. Choose from flowing vinyasa-inspired yoga, pregnancy yoga, yoga for athletes, restorative Yoga Nidra or even aerial yoga (subject to availability). If you'd like to add a session to your stay, we'd be delighted to provide more information. Guest access Towels and bedding provided as standard along with firewood for the stove in the lounge area (separate fee towards the cost of fuel). Out of respect for our local area, Eco-friendly washing up liquid, soaps, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel are provided for your use during your stay. Waste water flows out into the river, and we are pleased to minimise the impact on our local environment. Guests are able to use their mobile phone as a hot spot to access smart tv (with streaming services Netflix, Amazon Prime), or a selection of films are also available offline. Guests are not able to move the boat and it must remain moored where it is. Note that our boat is suitable for 2 adults with 1 small double bed provided as noted. We are not able to supply alternative bedding (additional duvets, etc) and the sofa is not suitable for sleeping on and is not a sofabed. If you are looking for a stay with separate beds, another place would be better suited. Other things to note Please note: This is a real home on a working river, not a luxury yacht or hotel. While we take great pride in presenting the boat beautifully, the surrounding environment is constantly changing with the seasons. Leaves may fall onto the deck, birds and ducks are regular visitors, and you may occasionally encounter insects, just as you would in any natural waterside location. If you're looking for a unique, peaceful escape and can embrace the character of life on the river, we'd love to host you. This is a smoke free boat. Please refrain from smoking inside the boat or on deck. No pets please. Staying on the river in a rural location will mean at certain times of year sharing the surroundings with local wildlife including insects. This is part and parcel of staying in a stunning rural location at the time of year when they are prevalent. It is not a reflection on the cleanliness of the boat which is thoroughly cleaned for each guest, and while every effort is made to remove any insects as part of turnover, this cannot be guaranteed. If you would not feel comfortable sharing your surroundings with any wildlife, you may wish to book to stay in the winter when they are out of season. Also bear in mind that particularly in the evenings, if leaving the windows/doors open, and especially when leaving the lights on, wildlife will be attracted indoors. Note that the check in information must be followed, particularly for use of the toilet, and shower. Any damage or extra cleaning required as a result of these not being followed may incur additional cleaning/repair fees.