LV14 Sula Lightship
Llanthony Road Llanthony Wharf, Gloucester GL2 5JQ England
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About
#2 of 2 limited service properties in Gloucester
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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.
Exclusively adults only, 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 and a wheelhouse cocktail bar await where you can sit back and relax, enveloped in golden sunsets and starry skies. For that extra touch of magic, you can personalise your stay with our dedicated Concierge Service - from champagne and flowers to a private chef and live music - we can make almost anything happen!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Board games / puzzles
Adults only
Private check-in / check-out
Rooftop terrace
Baggage storage
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
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Room features
Dining area
Private balcony
Safe
Seating area
Coffee / tea maker
Kitchenette
Flatscreen TV
Walk-in shower
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Microwave
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Electric kettle
Kitchenware
On-demand films
Radio
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Landmark view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Location
87Good for walkers
Grade: 87 out of 100
45Restaurantswithin 0.3 miles
20Attractionswithin 0.3 miles
Llanthony Road Llanthony Wharf, Gloucester GL2 5JQ England
Getting there
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37Reviews2Q+A6Room tips
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
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Such a quirky place to stay yet very comfortable and wonderfully warm. Our hosts had thought of lots of lovely little touches and had plenty of handy information for us to make the most of our visit. Really well positioned for all the highlights of Gloucester (including the Xmas market) as well as supermarkets, shops and cafes +recommend Bake & Brew and On Toast)
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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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.
Helpful
Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded yesterday
We love Toast for lunch and Bake & Brew cake’s the tray bakes to die for. Thanks for your review it helps knowing we are still getting it right!!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We wanted an experience and we got a great one. Sula is luxuriously fitted out (with a Happy Birthday' flag run up to greet us). Its location, close to all the amenities of Gloucester Dock, and the historic site of Llanthony Secunda was a delight, but the very best bit was Colin's tour on our last morning. So much fascinating information on the history of Sula and seeing all her internal workings. Thank you so much Viv and Colin (and the hounds) for all your helpfullness.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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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.
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+1
Just back from a fabulous weekend onboard Sula with my best friend celebrating our 50th birthdays. Such a beautiful and quirky stay with comfortable beds, all sorts of lovely touches and friendly owners, Viv and Colin and doggos. I particularly enjoyed our tour of Sula with Colin. So interesting to learn about her history and how she worked. She's moored in a great location for restaurants, pubs and attractions. Loved being able to walk around the docks and immerse myself in the local area. Very sad to have to go home!
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
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Service
Room Tip: Don't miss Colin's tour of Sula, it's fascinating.
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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.
Helpful
Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 2 weeks ago
Were glad you enjoyed your few days, and will visit again, hopefully in the sunshine! Thanks
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We used the LV14 Sula over our wedding which was nearby, staying aboard 2 nights, using the function room for our rehearsal dinner and for bridal preparations. We even had the light going off during the evening of the wedding. I can't rate this place highly enough. The facilities are beautiful and comfortable (though a little warm if you turn the thermostat the wrong way...) and you're on a boat! The hosts could not be nicer either. We spoke to them a lot in relation to the various activities we had going on, and they went out of their way to help and accommodate us. They raised a 'just married' flag and even left us a little present. I would recommend the Lightship for anyone who wants to stay somewhere a little bit different, and even more comfortable.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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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.
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Hi. Firstly I had no idea what to expect. And all the surprises that followed were all very much appreciated. Gloucester itself is so lovely and is definitely worth your time. I'm not here to give a review of Gloucester but it does the tricks well. Great pubs, good walking, top people etc Sula lightship is an amazing and comfortable home, know that first! Expect the best beds, living conditions, great kitchen and bathroom. You immediately wish you could live there. 10/10 the area has all you need, ie Sainsbury's, restaurants and places to just relax. Owners are the best people, strong, caring and full of advice. Expect warmth and a feel of family environment. And 3 of the best dogs i have ever met. I could write a whole review about those very good boys. Also Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse slept in those beds xx It is really a no brainer. Have a great stay and do something out of the ordinary. …
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
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Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 26 Sept 2023
Many thanks a lovely review and we are so pleased you appreciated our canine crew
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SULA LV14 is an amazing place to stay, loved everything about it. Great pre trip info and the Colin and Viv were the best hosts when we were there. Would highly recommend 😊 Plenty to do (and eat) locally in Gloucester Quays and beyond.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip 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.
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Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 9 Sept 2023
'Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the review
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We spent a wonderful three nights over the Bank Holiday on board the SULA and I would highly recommend! The ship is stunning with such attention to detail and Colin and Viv are the perfect hosts - they made us feel right at home and Colin's tour of the ship was a real highlight. It was lovely to share their passion for the SULA and its history, as well as a cup of tea! The ship has everything you need and we very much enjoyed relaxing on the sun deck with a glass of wine in the early evenings. It's also super close to the centre with lots of bars and restaurants on the doorstep. If you're visiting Gloucester or just fancy staying in a really unique place, the SULA is for you! Thanks again Colin and Viv (and the dogs Boz, Wilfrid and Stanley!) :)
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip 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.
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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 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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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.
Helpful
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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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We got married at Llanthony Priory and stayed at Sula before and after our wedding. Viv and Collin were fantastic hosts and went above and beyond to make our wedding extra special and were very accommodating to our guests. The location was unique and luxurious and we had the best time!
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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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.
Helpful
Response from SULA LIGHTSHIP, Marketing at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 11 Jul 2023
Im so pleased you felt that we added to your wedding experience. All best wishes Viv & Colin
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
From the moment we arrived on board LV14 SULA, our hosts Colin & Viv made us feel at home. The standard of the accommodation far exceeded our expectation. In fact, far better than many 4 star hotels we have been too. Everything you need for your stay has been thought of and provided for you. SULA is located just down from the main dock basin, and is very quiet, for supplies a very large Sainsbury's is close by, together with a comprehensive range of restaurants, bars and shops within the historic Gloucester Quays themselves. We would recommend a visit or two to the local brewery & distillery located in Warehouse 4. Negatives, just one, you have to leave and come home.
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Room Tip: Book restaurant tables in advance as they can be very popular.
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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.
Helpful
Response from Vivienne Brooks, Owner at LV14 Sula Lightship
Responded 16 Jun 2023
Thank you so much we love ot here as well
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandCotswoldsGloucester
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
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Frequently Asked Questions about LV14 Sula Lightship
Which popular attractions are close to LV14 Sula Lightship?
Nearby attractions include Gloucester Docks (0.2 miles), Gloucester Quays (0.2 miles), and National Waterways Museum Gloucester (0.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at LV14 Sula Lightship?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and a concierge.
Which room amenities are available at LV14 Sula Lightship?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at LV14 Sula Lightship?
Guests can enjoy complimentary tea and free instant coffee during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to LV14 Sula Lightship?
Conveniently located restaurants include Brewhouse & Kitchen - Gloucester Quays, The Barge Restaurant, and Greek On The Docks.
Is LV14 Sula Lightship located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.6 miles away from the centre of Gloucester.
Are there any historical sites close to LV14 Sula Lightship?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Blackfriars (0.4 miles), Llanthony Secunda Priory (0.1 miles), and Eastgate Viewing Chamber (0.6 miles).