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Welcome aboard! Escape to the water and step aboard LV14 SULA Lightship for an extraordinary boutique getaway. Known locally as “SULA”, she is the only historic stay-aboard lightship in the UK; moored on the Gloucester Sharpness Canal at Gloucester Docks, in the Cotswolds. The Humber Suite features two cabins - a king and a double, open plan lounge - kitchenette - diner and private sun deck with 360° views of Gloucester Docks. The Humber Suite is the perfect retreat for a unique couple’s hideaway, romantic honeymoon, or celebrating those special occasions with a touch of 5-star luxury. Original teak doors open to reveal a quirky open-plan living space where authenticity meets modern elegance. Two sumptuous cabins are nestled downstairs in the bow of the ship alongside a walk-in shower room. Outside, a private sun deck with 360° views await where you can sit back and relax, enveloped in golden sunsets and starry skies.
Llanthony Road Llanthony Wharf, Gloucester GL2 5JQ England
LV14 Sula Lightship
57 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
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Decided to abandon hopes of travelling abroad and opt for a city break instead. We wanted a location close to amenities, namely restaurants, bars, shops and attractions. LV14 Sula lightship is situated in Gloucester Docks only a 5 minute walk to a dozen fine restaurants, numerous bars and Designer outlet. The location was excellent providing a peaceful oasis to relax and kick back when required. The accommodation was great aboard a former Lightship (mobile lighthouse) with comfortable and spacious bedroom but still some quirks of a live on ship. The ship has character such that people passing along the towpath will often stop to chat to the new occupants. Colin and Viv, the hosts, are very friendly and helpful advising on local attractions or good eateries. Colin also has a wealth of knowledge on the history of the ship and willingly gives guests a tour. Gloucester was great and provides a great starting point for Rugby or visit to Cheltenham for the races. We are looking forward to a return maybe later in the year.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Ask for restaurant recommendations and book early as they get busy. Ask Colin about his flag...
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Response from Vivienne Brooks, Owner at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 21 Jul 2021
Thank you so much! See you at the races.
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We stayed on SULA for 3 nights as a joint birthday surprise for 2 girlfriends. The whole place was immaculate and just so unique and homely. Very spacious rooms and comfy beds. The hosts are so welcoming and helpful, and we were able to organise birthday decorations and treats for arrival. Colin was generous enough to give an in-depth tour of the lightship as well, which was brilliant. The location couldn't be better, being so near to Gloucester's nicest restaurants and shops, whilst being in a peaceful position next to lots of greenery where you really don't feel like you're in a city. The sun loungers on the top deck were a great bonus for such a beautiful weekend. The whole experience was just perfect.
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Date of stay: June 2021
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If you like interesting, quirky accommodation, the SULA if for you. Colin and Viv are fantastic owners - incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable about the vessel. The accommodation is cosy and there are plenty of facilities to keep you comfortable during your stay. My partner had even arranged for fresh flowers and champagne to be provided in our living room space, which the owners provided. We cannot thank them enough for their hospitality.
The local area is great as well for dining out - cafes and restaurants galore. The Gloucester Quays area is very clean and modern.
Would absolutely recommend! 10/10
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Response from Vivienne Brooks, Owner at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 5 Nov 2020
Thank you Polly & Alistair, we enjoyed having you and recommending our favourite restaurants.
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Had an absolutely brilliant stay on LV14 Sula Lightship. What an amazing and unusual place to stay Accommodation was luxurious with lots of nice personal touches like choccies on the table, to make us feel welcome. Colin and Viv were welcoming and friendly hosts and happy to show us around this historical ship. They also gave us lots of advice about what to see and do in Gloucester including good places to eat. The ship is located an easy walk into the city centre but there are loads of shops, bars and restaurants in the docks themselves, right alongside the ship. I highly recommend a stay. You won’t be disappointed
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 9 Dec 2020
Look forward to the Aquaduck mooring alongside one day! Thank you for the review pleasure meeting you both.
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We booked the Sula for our wedding accomodation as it was conviently located within metres of our wedding venue. WOW Sula was just perfect, stunning and unique. The accomodation was fantastic, very clean, well laid out with lots of extra touches in the rooms, bathroom, living and kitchen space. All modern and well maintained appliances provided to a very high spec. The beds and furnishings were of a very high quality and it's great to see that the hosts chose quality over cost.
The hosts were amazing and checked in with us several times to ensure everything was what we expected and if we needed anything extra. An additional feature was they put on the lighthouse light for us so we could have it panning across our wedding venue and have some extra special photos at night of us. With it being such an unique venue alot of our guests were very curious to see inside, I'm not sure what they was expecting but they were very impressed with the space and how modern life could be on a boat..I think some landlovers may be converted to life on the water and it didn't involve any compromises on technology, WIFI, space or what they could have in a boat. Very well located to shops, parking and retaurants. Would highly recommend, we will be back for our anniversary !!
Thanks
Lorna and James
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Date of stay: July 2023
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 17 Jul 2023
So pleased we were able to host you both for a special weekend wedding. We will see you again in 2024 for your anniversary! Im sure we can do a discount. All best wishes Vivienne & Colin
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What a wonderful stay we had on Sula!! We came for a weekend away and it was great from the hosts Colin and Viv to everything provided for the perfect stay!
Sula was spotlessly clean, came with towels, toiletries, hairdryer, rain jackets, milk, Prosecco, beautiful bed linen, tea, coffee, literally everything you can think of was there! For a birthday Colin went the extra mile to fly a flag and even read us the shipping forecast from the birthdate, really thoughtful touch!
From comfy beds to cooking facilities, nothing has been missed! We hope to return and would highly recommend. Colin also gave us a boat tour which is highly worth it if you have the time!
We parked in Sainsbury’s which we had a pre-booked space, it was a short walk down the quayside to the boat. Perfect location for the stay which is about a five minute walk from the outlet village and restaurants.
Wouldn’t suit people with limited mobility due to the stairs down to the bedrooms/bathroom and up to the top sun deck.
Thank you again Colin and Viv :-)
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Need to pre-book parking via the hosts.
Wouldn’t recommend for people with mobility issues.
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Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 26 Feb 2023
Your most welcome. And i hope you can come back!! next time i hope we can provide sun on the sun deck. Best wishes Viv & Colin
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My family surprised me with a weekend stay on this incredible lighthouse boat.
The experience was breathtaking with Colin and Vivienne simply fantastic hosts.
The place was so well laid out and provisioned and Colin’s tour of the boat and it’s history fascinating.
It’s location just a few short minutes walk from Gloucester Docks was ideal as anyone who has not been to the docks really should plan a visit.
A spectacular time I would recommend to all thanks Colin and Vivienne what a great birthday weekend you made it for me
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Just go enjoy and take it all
In.
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Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 14 Jun 2022
Your welcome and i hope to see your son in action on tv soon!!
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A surprise 60th birthday treat from my son, it was certainly a surprise as we didn't know where we were staying until we arrived. Our weekend was fantastic, the LV is a quirky location full of charm and appeal we cant recommend it enough. Colin and Viv are exceptional hosts making sure you get what you need without being intrusive. Colin even took us to see the famous Severn Bore as well as recommending possibilities for dining and sightseeing. We only scratched the surface of this fantastic city and will certainly be returning to both Gloucester and Sula. Thank you Llewelyn & Melanie
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Date of stay: December 2021
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Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 13 Apr 2022
We look forward to seeing you again in Gloucester. It is a special place!
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We booked this stay just as COVID started and I'm so glad we waited for the visit........ What a truly fantastic stay. Colin and Viv have created a very special place, beautiful décor and all the mod con's you could wish for. Every room is decorated beautifully, step off Sula and all the entertainment is literally minutes away, fabulous restaurants and pubs all within a very short walk. Is you ask Colin nicely he'll give you the grand tour of the ship, which I'd highly recommend. Book a weekend in a very unusual setting you'll not regret it.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Value
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Response from Vivienne Brooks, Owner at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 21 Aug 2021
Thanks Darren glad you enjoyed it!
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We booked our two night stay whilst watching Mortimer and Whitehouse on the TV. Excellent communication prior to our stay from the onboard owners, Colin and Viv and Colin was waiting to welcome us onboard when we arrived. He and Viv have transformed a historic light vessel with love and great attention to detail, preserving this truly unique piece of British history. Their living quarters have been sympathetically restored and make a beautiful home full of character. The spacious two bedroomed holiday accommodation is done to an exceptionally high standard with quirky but very comfortable furnishings and all the mod cons you could possibly need. The boat is perfectly positioned for exploring Gloucester Quays, the historic town and cathedral. Colin, Viv and their two dogs were perfect hosts, making sure we had everything we needed before leaving us to explore and settle in. We will definitely be visiting again and will recommend Sula to friends and family.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 13 Apr 2022
Thank you for your endorsement of my choice of chaotic colours. Some friends felt it was a bit “red” do come again and hopefully we would have added more to see.
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Both bedrooms accessible via steep(ish) steps to a corridor downstairs. The wooden ladder is just an alternative route to go up to the deck through a hatch :)
There are more places to choose from in the Gloucester area.
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandCotswoldsGloucester
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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