Unique Glamping Holiday Experience
A beautifully converted 1945 boat and adjoining shack nestled within a private forest, overlooking the beautiful open fenland countryside. Perfect off-grid, sustainable retreat for couples looking to relax, explore and visit the local towns. Located 15 minutes drive from Ely and 30 minutes from Cambridge.
The boat forms part of the overall space incorporating the bedroom with a kingsize double or two singles, accompanied by a adjoining boat shack with an eclectic industrial style kitchen and bathroom with walk-in shower.
History of PZ.311 Anthony Stevenson
This historic fishing trawler was built in 1945 forming part of W Stevenson's ex-Admiralty MFVs hake and tuna deep sea fishing fleet from Penzance, Cornwall.
Crew photographed on board trawler PZ.331 based in Newlyn harbour, talking to Superintendent Patterson of the RNMDSF from the Ship Institute who is handing magazines to the skipper. In the forefront are Breton fishermen from Concarneau wearing clogs.
The Designers & Artists
The Anthony Stevenson was decommissioned from fishing service in 2010 and set to be dismantled in 2012 by Brian Pogson of Exeter Maritime Services. Brian recognised the potential to re-purpose elements of the vessel including the bow section which was in excellent condition despite nearly 70 years at sea. Barnaby Dearsly of Weathered by Water shared Brian's enthusiasm for this beautifully oak and larch crafted structure so together they started the painstaking task of converting it to a living space.
Once Barnaby completed the exterior, boat builders Giles and Steve hand built a wood burning stove from reclaimed engine parts of the original boat. Then the challenge to find someone crazy enough to buy her!
London design agency Play Retail owners Steve and Lizzie Koch who live on a farm near Ely in Cambridgeshire decided to buy the boat pod to convert to a unique holiday property.
Location
The BoatShack is positioned on its own privately fenced three acre forest, on historic farm from the 1760s now a small holding where Steve, Lizzie and they four home school children live and play with their pet goats, horses, dogs and chickens.
We try to live a eco friendly sustainable lifestyle and as such the boat runs entirely off-grid with renewable energy produced by solar panels.
