Meet Elsie May: a century of stories, a lifetime of comfort
On the quiet waters of Poplar Marina, hard against the glittering towers of Canary Wharf, floats a piece of Dutch maritime history. Her name is Elsie May — a 1915 Tjalk Dutch barge that has traded the cargo hold of a potato boat for the warmth of a beautifully finished London home.
A history worth telling
Elsie May was built in Holland in 1915, a sturdy Tjalk barge that once carried potatoes along the Dutch waterways before being converted into a houseboat. In December 2012 she found her current owner, who commissioned a complete refit and redesign costing almost £350,000 — a labour of love that took more than a year.
The interior was stripped back to the hull, which was then fully spray-lined with closed-cell foam insulation, so Elsie May stays cool in summer and is economical to heat in winter. An award-winning marine carpenter and designer oversaw every detail: the roof was raised to create a larger cabin, and the wheelhouse was extended into a beautiful entrance and office space. New fresh-water and waste tanks, a Kabola hot-water system, and a Victron inverter with leisure battery bank were all installed, along with bespoke, hand-crafted double-glazed wooden window frames throughout.
Kept in immaculate condition
Her current owner has maintained her correctly. Her last out-of-water survey was in July 2022, when her hull was re-epoxied, new anodes fitted, welding repairs completed, and her red-and-white topsides repainted. An independent professional surveyor valued her for insurance at £300,000.
A tour of the interior
- Wheelhouse & office — a beautiful small office with a Sapele floor, the original wheel, and views over the marina and Canary Wharf.
- Kitchen — electric hob and oven, double sink, large frost-free fridge-freezer with water dispenser, corner pull-out cupboards and a quartz countertop.
- Living room — spacious enough to host a dozen friends; the L-shaped sofa converts to a double bed and a versatile daybed pulls out for guests, sleeping four in comfort.
- Bathroom — full-size bath, large basin, plenty of storage and a macerating toilet.
- Cabin — king-size bed with hydraulic lift-up storage, bespoke Sapele cabinetry and two traditional brass portholes.
- Roof terrace — plenty of room for al fresco dining, seating six or more.
Life on the water, ten minutes from the city
Elsie May comes with a fully transferable residential mooring at Aquavista’s award-winning Poplar Marina. The Elizabeth Line takes you from Canary Wharf to Bond Street in 15 minutes; Westminster is under a 30-minute cycle; and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers gets you to London Bridge in 15 minutes. The marina offers gated security, laundry, an owners’ lounge, WiFi and daily staff — everything a houseboat owner could want.
The offer
£165,000 (substantially reduced — offers over £180,000 invited), VAT included. BSC valid to May 2027. DAF diesel inboard, 20.42 m × 4.24 m, steel hull.
Serious enquiries only for this genuinely exceptional vessel. Contact London broker Richard Hogarth on 07778 108748 to arrange a viewing.
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