Ash Island, KT8

We are delighted to offer Alice and Mona, a beautifully presented and exceptionally spacious 1925 Humber barge, now available on a highly sought-after residential mooring on a peaceful stretch of the River Thames. This rare opportunity combines the charm and character of traditional river living with all the comforts and space of a family home. 

Perfectly suited for a young family, Alice and Mona offers generous accommodation including a large open-plan living area, a stylish and modern kitchen, a full-size bathroom, two comfortable double bedrooms, and a charming nursery room at the bow. The vessel’s layout and finish reflect both thoughtful design and practical living, with ample storage, high-quality fittings, and a warm, welcoming ambiance throughout. 

Access begins through the newly refurbished wheelhouse (being completed in May this year) – a practical space for coats and shoes – which leads down into the heart of the home. The kitchen is fitted with solid wood shaker-style units, a striking herringbone floor, double Belfast sink, and a large 8-burner oven. An under-stair utility corner houses a washing machine, freezer, and vented tumble dryer, making full use of the space. The living area offers room for a large L-shaped sofa and further furnishings, creating a perfect family hub. 

The full-size bathroom includes a traditional bathtub and hot shower, complemented by a full flushing toilet with the added convenience of a sea toilet and black tank changeover valve. Two generous double bedrooms offer plenty of wardrobe space, while the nursery room to the front provides an ideal space for a child or can serve as a cosy study or reading nook. 

The barge itself is steeped in history. Alice and Mona was constructed in 1925 as a leather hauling barge, meaning she has enjoyed a gentler life compared to many of her working counterparts. With riveted steel construction, she remains solid and dependable, having spent the vast majority of her life in freshwater. 

 

The residential mooring, near Molesey Lock, is one of the most idyllic along the Thames. Tucked away behind the island, it enjoys exceptional tranquility with no through river traffic. Wild swimmers, nature lovers, and boating enthusiasts alike will appreciate the abundance of local wildlife – from herons and swans to otters and even the occasional seal. 

 

Residents enjoy a warm and welcoming community, access to and use of communal gardens, and easy boat access to riverside pubs. The mooring is transferable, with the added perks of residential parking permits and eligibility for local schools. The location offers excellent transport connections, with Hampton Court Palace, Bushy Park, and central Kingston all within walking distance. 

Additionally, there is the option to purchase a versatile 20ft x 10ft shed situated next to the mooring, ideal for use as an artist’s studio, workshop, or home business. This is available for an additional £5,000, with first refusal granted to the purchaser. 

 

Key Features: 

3 bedrooms (2 doubles + nursery) 

Open-plan kitchen/living area 

Full-size bathroom with bath and shower 

New solid wood kitchen worktops 

Riveted steel 1925 Humber barge  

New wheelhouse (completion by end of May) 

Peaceful location opposite Molesey Lock 

Access to local schools and transport 

Residential parking permit possible 

Optional 20ft x 10ft shed for studio/workspace (£5,000 extra) 

Floating homes like Alice and Mona are exceptionally rare – combining generous space, rich history, and an unbeatable riverside location. Viewings are highly recommended to fully appreciate all this remarkable home has to offer. 

 

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Additional info BUT NOT part of the brochure: 

 

There is extensive decking on top which provides a huge amount of outdoor space for entertaining. There are handrails all around the boat for safety. There is a swim platform on the back of the boat with an additional retractable ladder that allows easy access to the tender moored on the back, and can even be lowered into the water to help you climb out when swimming. 

In 2021 she had extensive welding done underneath , with 6mm added to all the horizontal and curved surfaces. 

 

Equipment 

Beside the stairs is the utility corner, which comes with white goods included. This comprises a modern washing machine, venter tumble dryer, and a freezer. There is also a built-in pantry area in this corner which is perfect size for Kilner jars and tinned food. 

All of the main electrics and plumbing are run underneath the floor. There is a large crawl space which can be accessed from 

2 points, with ample storage and festoon lighting throughout. The grey water tank is large and drains easily. There is an extractor fan under the floor to keep it nice and dry. 

Heating – the boat is heated with a 6kw multifuel burner with additional oven box that’s great for baking bread! 

There’s a 800w inverter heater (air-source heat pump) that provides 3.2kw of heat. This is usually sufficient to heat the whole living room for autumn and spring.  

There are additional electric bar radiators in the bedrooms which help to top up the heat. Use on average £80 per month on electric, and all hot water is provided by approx 2x 47kg gas bottles per year. 

There is a 12v black tank macerator , 12v eater pump and 12v grey water pump out. The black tank can also be pumped out where elsan facilities exist. 

There is a 100ft of heavy chain for anchorage and a 2-man winch for lifting it. 

The back deck features an electric crane winch for lifting the swim ladder, and for lifting up to 500kg, and is suitable placed for lifting gas bottles from the tender or objects from the engine room. 

This boat comes with a 14ft tender with 2x batteries and a 24v outboard. This is sufficient to get to Kingston and back, and all the good local pubs! It also has an automatic bilge pump.  

Navigation Equipment 

The boat has navigation lights, a front spot light and a mast light . 

Engine(s) 

Engine is a 1970s 3-cylinder Gardner. It is raw water cooled and has twin diesel filters. There is a large 800 litre tank for the engine and another for the generator, which is now inoperative. 

There are 2x newly welded-in weed hatches. 

The engine is started with 4x leisure batteries, 2 of which can be isolated from the starter circuit to avoid draining the batteries when moored up without charging facilities. 

 

Safety Equipment 

There are fire extinguishers throughout and a fire blanket. There are smoke alarms and CO2 alarms throughout. There is a gas alarm and bubble tester for the gas system. 

Each pump has its own separate tray and bilge alarm. There are additional bilge alarms in fore bulkhead, midship and engine room. 

The shore power has a galvanic isolator fitted. 

Safety Equipment 

There are fire extinguishers throughout and a fire blanket. There are smoke alarms and CO2 alarms throughout. There is a gas alarm and bubble tester for the gas system. 

Each pump has its own separate tray and bilge alarm. There are additional bilge alarms in fore bulkhead, midship and engine room. 

The shore power has a galvanic isolator fitted. 

 

Specifications 

Vessel type: Liveaboard 

Builder: Barge 

Model: Humber 

Fit Out: Part furnished 

Constructed: 1925 

Berths: 5 

No. of engines: 1 

Engine model: Gardner 

Engine power: 75 

Fuel type: Diesel 

Drive type: Shaft drive 

Length over all: 61′ 

Beam: 15′ 

Maximum draft: 4′ 

Hull material: Steel 

Hull type: Humber 

Hull colour: Black 

Keel type: Other 

Displacement: 70 metric tons 

Fuel capacity: 720 Litres 

Water capacity: 2400 Litres 

Holding tank capacity: 1000 Litres