Bembridge Harbour · Isle of Wight

Islay

Boat
(83 reviews)
From £285 / night
Sleeps 94 bedrooms5 beds2.5 bathrooms
1 / 44

If you're looking for a unique stay, this is it. Overlooking Bembridge Harbour, Islay and her sister boat Eleuthera, nestle into their surroundings beautifully providing easy access for everything a family or group holiday could wish for and some of the most delightful hidden beaches on the south coast. Islay can sleep up to 9 and enjoys glorious, ever-changing views across the harbour, perfect for a family getaway to the island.

Her name

Named for a Scottish island

Islay is a brutally beautiful Scottish island, a place of ever-changing skies and broiling grey-green seas. Pronounced Eye-la, it is the perfect namesake for the boat's Highland heritage.

Her name also nods to her owner's penchant for the island's spectacular whisky. Inside, heather tones and reclaimed worn oak make for a calming, tranquil environment, while contemporary design touches and bespoke furniture keep her bang up to date.

The space

Only a short walk from Bembridge village and beaches, the entrance leads across a walkway to the front door which opens onto the main open-plan living area. With kitchen/utility, toilet, banquet dining table, and comfortable sitting areas, you'll enjoy spectacular views across the harbour. The sliding folding doors that lead onto the viewing deck flood light into the main room. The ever-changing sea and sky create a constantly changing landscape that can be enjoyed all year round. Downstairs there are 4 modern bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, sleeping up to 10, perfect for 2 families. The houseboat will rise and fall with the tides so don't worry if there are some creaking boat sounds as the hull rises and settles onto the spud legs.

The layout

Four modern bedrooms — a bunk room with a single and double with floor-bed option, two kingsize bedrooms, and a Snug with queen mattress — plus two bathrooms.

Boat features

Property type

Boat

Guests

9

Bedrooms

4

Beds

5

Bathrooms

2.5

Amenities & Features

Bed linens
Carbon monoxide detector
Coffee maker
Dishes and silverware
Dishwasher
Emergency exit
Essentials
Fire extinguisher

Guest access

Access to Islay is via a 5m long 1m wide gangway (which is lit at night), off a private deck at street level on Embankment road, almost opposite the guest car park. Enter via the front door into the lobby where there is a Ring doorbell for security and access issues if needed. We are sorry but the boat design makes her unsuitable for wheelchair access.

The neighbourhood

There are 2 Supermarkets, the Co-Op in the centre of town and towards the other end of the village a Welcome store in Lane End Court. There is also the Lane End Deli next door. There is a large Tesco on the route back to Ryde, next to the Go-Karting centre and Pitch & Putt golf course. The Houseboat is moored alongside a variety of interesting yachts and fishing boats, you can get your own helping of the morning’s catch at the Crab Shack a few hundred metres away, along the harbour. Here The Best Dressed Crab Restaurant offers fresh seafood lunches and dinners and has a great view of the harbour from its deck. Bembridge is never very far from a beach. Whether it’s the Sandy beaches of Priory bay and Seagrove Beach or the rock pooling on Bembridge beach or Forelands beach around the headland. Watch out for the tides there as they are notoriously quick to flood the beach. Also be careful near the cliffs as they are clay and prone to subsidence. The Bembridge lifeboat Station on Lane End beach is a sight to see at dawn, loved by photographers for its beautiful sunrises. There are some great places to eat in Bembridge. Here is a list of ours favourites: Harbour View Cafe on the beach at Bembridge 01983 872742 a few minutes walk towards town, 1/2 Lobster salad recommended, best to order/book in advance. The Best Dressed Crab 01983 874758 In the harbour (also running the Harbour View Cafe), freshly caught seafood and on the water in the harbour. Outside seating available on the deck. www.thebestdressedcrabintown.co.uk/ The Baywatch Cafe 01983 873259 a walk across the Duver to the beach at Bembridge harbour mouth. The Duver Cafe 07780 666745 A shorter walk across the Duver, great breakfast spot. www.bembridgeharbour.co.uk/the-harbour/duver-cafe The Crab and Lobster Pub 01983 872244 A long walk to the other end of Bembridge along the beach past the lifeboat station, or hop in the car. www.characterinns.co.uk/the-crab-and-lobster-inn The Beach Hut, 01983874270 on Forelands beach, public car park just before the Crab and Lobster Inn. Great for watching the kids rock-pool at low tide. www.isleofwightbeachcafe.co.uk/contact_the_cafe.html The Propeller Inn at the airfield in Bembridge, 01983 873611 Wonderful pub food and great for families.www.propellerinn.co.uk In Bembridge village: Ye Olde Village Inn’s garden has outside courtyard seating and wood fired pizza (01983 872616) www.yeoldevillageinn.co.uk Frampton’s bar on the High st : www.framptons.uk, …opposite is Fox’s Restaurant : www.foxsrestaurant.co.uk. Farm shop and No.8 Cafe. for takeaway coffee’s. The Old Bakery also do takeaway coffee’s and great cakes and pastries. Woodfords and Sons Butchers Get there early for your award winning sausage rolls! Angel in the Kitchen. Almost next door to Ye Olde Village Inn. Booking is essential, a fabulous weekly menu. Recommended. Kate 07542377776 Bembridge Coast Hotel and golf club 01983 873931 Past the Lifeboat station Lane End Cafe and Deli on the way to The Lifeboat Station. Animal lovers are particularly well catered for, with attractions including the Amazon World Zoo Park, Donkey Sanctuary, Isle of Wight Zoo, Owl & Monkey Haven, Fort Victoria Aquarium and Tapnell Farm, which also has a Water Park for family fun in the warmer months. If you fancy some culture and heritage, try Quay Arts, Carisbrooke Castle, Needles Old Battery, Osborne House, Quarr Abbey, Yarmouth Castle or Bembridge Windmill. Or other attractions include House of Chilli, Rosemary Vineyard, Garlic Farm, Island Planetarium, The Needles Park, IoW Steam Railway, Dinosaur Isle, Cowes Maritime Museum and Ventnor Botanic Gardens. As well as walking and cycling the Isle of Wight's 200 miles of cycle route, you've got some of the best beaches in the UK on your doorstep and there are plenty of ways to enjoy the coast. Try sailing, sea fishing, kite surfing, sea kayaking, horse riding on beaches, rock pooling, sea swimming or surfing. For more ideas: www.visitisleofwight.co.uk

Getting here

A range of frequent hovercraft, catamaran and car ferry services are available from a number of mainland ports including Keyhaven, Lymington, Southampton, Portsmouth and Southsea. Services take between 10-40 minutes, depending on the speed and type of ferry service taken. Our nearest ferry ports on the Isle of Wight are Fishbourne and Ryde, both of which are only 15 minutes away by car. Ryde is served by hovercraft and catamaran ferry services whilst Fishbourne is reached via a car ferry. We suggest that you make your advanced booking via one of the following operator sites: www.wightlink.co.uk www.redfunnel.co.uk www.hovertravel.co.uk We strongly advise you to book ahead in the summer months and during school holidays or bank holidays as the Ferries tend to get booked up well in advance.

Things to note

No hen parties or stag do's please. Bembridge harbour is a peaceful area with many full time residents living in the near vicinity, for this reason we cannot allow loud music or parties/events without prior consent from the owners. Also please be aware that the houseboat is not recommended for small children as there is an open ballustrade around the houseboat deck and walkways that a child could slip under. Please be aware to keep a close eye on childrenat all times if they are on the houseboat with you.

Reservations

Book direct

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