The Raft

A romantic and light-filled ‘floating' home for two, exquisitely hand-crafted and nestled within a bustling houseboat community in West Sussex.

Beautifully positioned amongst a parade of houseboats, on a nature reserve close to Shoreham-by-Sea, The Raft is an idyllic, imaginative, and impossibly scenic sanctuary for two.

The characterful, gently curved haven was lovingly designed and built by friendly owners Lucy and Tom... right down to the hand-hammered brass door handles! Rather wonderfully, they've also seen to it that every holiday comfort is gainfully covered.

Fully self-contained, with fast internet, a stack of books, and a radio (plus a pair of binoculars and a handy guide to help you identify the local bird life!) it'll be easy to keep yourselves entertained, or even do some work if you really have to. 

(Though you could find that nothing beats brewing a fresh pot of organic coffee - supplied by your hosts, of course - and daydreaming from the squishy sofa, out of the floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the estuary to perfection). 

The living space even extends out to an elegant deck...  ideal if you'd like an extra helping of morning sunshine with your coffee, or golden shimmers of sunset with an evening glass of wine.

Your surroundings, meanwhile, are charmingly furnished and cheerfully decorated throughout, with bursts of colour, and streams of natural light from huge windows and skylights.

The marshmallow-soft double bed is perfect for curling up in when you're all talked out, while a gleaming, well-equipped kitchen will help you rustle up romantic meals. There's a cute dining space for two, and an outrageously pretty shower room for you to freshen up in.

So... fed, watered, refreshed, and with a dreamy night's sleep behind you, why not head outside, and take in all the beauty of the local area?

You could start with the beach, which is a mere two-minute walk away, and perfect for wind and kite surfing. Indulge yourself, or simply sit back and watch the resident surfers do all the hard work!

Otherwise, take a wander into Shoreham-by-Sea, and discover an eclectic town filled with lazy coffee stops, restaurants, and independent shops to browse through. Oh, and you could even jump on a bus to Brighton if you felt like it, with a handy bus stop just five minutes away.

But for the perfect holiday treat, simply return to your seaside sanctuary and pop open a well-deserved glass of bubbles... just as the sun begins to melt into the horizon beyond.

Things to note

Check in after 3pm, check out by 12pm. Please note that pets and children are not permitted.