The Harpy Houseboat

The Harpy is a houseboat moored just west of Tower Bridge on the Thames, and it has a story of its own. Built in 1904 as HMS Harpy, it was the world’s first floating Customs and Excise office and the City of London’s royal landing stage. It is now a holiday let.

The history

Two royal events are tied to the vessel. King George V visited in 1920, with the Prince of Wales who later became Edward VIII, to thank the Customs officers who worked on board during the First World War. In 1979 the current King Charles III visited to present the owner with a Civic Trust Award, of which he is patron, for the restoration and conversion of the adjoining listed Victorian building. The houseboat’s website quotes Time Out from January 2025 naming it London’s number one Airbnb.

The stay

The Harpy has four rooms and is let as a whole, which makes it a fit for families and groups. The decks look straight onto Tower Bridge. Fibre Wi-Fi and Sky Q TV are provided.

Getting there

The nearest station is Bermondsey on the Jubilee line, about a ten-minute walk away.

Who it suits

The Harpy suits families and groups who want a central London base with a story attached, and a view of one of the city’s best-known bridges. Ask how the rooms are arranged when you enquire, so you can match them to your party. Direct bookings are taken through the Harpy’s own website.