Brasenose Barge
PRICE: Please ask !WEEKEND COTTAGE AFLOAT !
1920s
70ft approx
Static
17ft
The former Brasenose College barge offers a fantastic opportunity for the oarsman or simply the river lover to enjoy life afloat within sculling or walking distance of Henley town centre. A spacious interior and a large accessible roof terrace make this boat the perfect pied a l'eau with additional mooring possibilities alongside.The Brasenose Barge is one of ten Oxford College Barges thought to survive from the original twenty five such craft which were used as clubhouses by Oxford Colleges moored along Christ Church Meadow in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century (more properly described in Clare Sherriff's book "The Oxford College Barges" of which we have a copy in the office). Records indicate that it was built in 1906 of riveted iron in Colchester and towed up the Thames but Clare Sherriff's book suggests that it may have been built between 1925 and 1929.At some 70 ft long and 17 ft width it was one of the largest craft on the river. However on its trip down river to the Eel Pie Slipways at Twickenham in 2001 for a major hull rebuild it still managed to squeeze under the numerous bridges. Being built of riveted iron the hull was totally stripped out, entire sections of the bow and stern hull sides and side decks replaced, the entire hull doubled up with new steel plating to above the water line and internal frames replaced with new knees where needed. The former wooden superstructure sides were replaced by steel, new double glazed windows installed and the roof restored using layers of 18mm quality ply encapsulated in layers of grp before the application of a long lasting heavy duty grass carpet.The huge upper deck area enclosed by the original teak hand rails provides unique views up river to Marsh Lock, across the river to Rod Eyot and downstream to Henley Bridge and offers a fantastic entertaining area accommodating as many as twenty people or more .Down below the luxurious accommodation comprises - from the bows · the entrance to the wood panelled sun lounge / home office· a fully fitted kitchen complete with built in fridge freezer, electric hob and oven, washer / dryer and fitted cupboards· a bathroom with fitted heated towel rails, overhead heater and cupboard containing the hot water cylinder and electric waste water pump out· a magnificent lounge with wood panelling at either end· a bedroom with full width windows, fitted wardrobe and below deck storage The barge has its own mains water supply and electricity metered supply and the present owners enjoy the area immediately adjacent which has been laid out as a small but attractive flower garden and seating area. With the club's permission a boat may also be moored alongside.The permanent mooring is unique to this famous Henley Reach of the Thames and is the subject of a lease from the Henley Rowing Club at the former site of Henley's riverside swimming baths on Wargrave Road a few hundred yards from Henley Bridge, Henley is within a few minutes walking distance. The mooring charge is £385 per month (£4,620 a year) which provides invaluable income to the Rowing Club funds includes car parking for three cars, use of the changing rooms and club toilets and rubbish disposal. Regrettably however it is not a fully residential mooring and use is restricted to a maximum of 320 days a year and not more than 15 days consecutively. The barge currently relies upon the use of portable toilets but the possibility has been raised of a connection to an additional septic tank which it is envisaged may be incorporated in the club's plans for a new gymnasium to be built shortly.It is to be hoped that any purchaser would apply for membership of and support the Rowing Club generally in which event the full facilities of the club's varied facilities including licensed bar, large club rooms, well equipped gymnasium, club lawns etc would also become available for a very modest annual subscription. The present owners enjoy excellent relations with the Club which is currently one of the most successful in the country and which enhances the delights of the location.LOADS MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE _ PLEASE GIVE US A CALL
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