Inner Dowsing Lightship

Medway Bridge Marina, Manor Lane, Rochester, ME1 3HS, United Kingdom – Excellent location – show map

<p><b>Excellent</b> location – rated 9.3/10! <small>(score from <b>54</b> reviews)</small></p> <p>Real guests • Real stays • Real opinions</p>
9.3
Scored 9.3
Wonderful
Rated wonderful
54 reviews

Very friendly hosts, a very interesting location with great view towards Rochester, a comfortable room and delicious breakfast.

Foster United Kingdom
a kitchen and living room with a table and chairs at Inner Dowsing Lightship in Rochester
a dining room with a table and chairs and a piano at Inner Dowsing Lightship in Rochester
a dining room with a table and chairs at Inner Dowsing Lightship in Rochester
a patio with a table and chairs and an umbrella at Inner Dowsing Lightship in Rochester
+3 photos

Inner Dowsing Lightship

Lock in a great price for Inner Dowsing Lightship – rated 9.3 by recent guests!

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A recently renovated boat, Inner Dowsing Lightship offers accommodation in Rochester. Both free Wifi and parking on-site are available at the boat free of charge. The boat provides river views and a sun terrace. At the boat, all units are fitted with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen, and towels. There's a seating and a dining area in all units. Buffet and continental breakfast options with fresh pastries, pancakes, and fruit are available daily at Inner Dowsing Lightship. Rochester Castle is 1.7 miles from the accommodation, while Chatham Train Station is 2.6 miles away. The nearest airport is London City Airport, 30 miles from Inner Dowsing Lightship.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.2 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

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Most popular amenities
  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
  • Breakfast

Property highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.3)

Breakfast Info

Continental, Buffet

Free Parking Available On Site

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Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

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Room Type
Number of guests
 
1 king bed
1 king bed
and
1 bunk bed
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Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff
10
Facilities
9.3
Cleanliness
9.9
Comfort
9.8
Value for money
9.2
Location
9.3
Free WiFi
10
High score for Rochester
Select topics to read reviews:

See what guests loved the most:

  • Foster
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “Very friendly hosts, a very interesting location with great view towards Rochester, a comfortable room and delicious breakfast.”
  • John
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “Lovely location right on the River Medway with views across to the castle and the cathedral. Lots of wildlife to view. The welcome we received was warm and friendly. The lightship was quirky and there's a lovely upper deck to sit out on in good...”
  • Lynne
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “The lightship has been beautifully converted. It felt a very magical spot indeed”

Host Info

10
10
Host Review Score
Host Review Score
Inner Dowsing is an historic wooden lightship, built in 1840. Since moving onboard in early 2023, we have refurbished the whole ship, including fitting out the two guest cabins to a high standard. Each cabin affords wonderful views of the Medway river and valley beyond, as well as Rochester Cathedral and Castle, which are only a 30 min walk away along the river. There are two convenience stores in Borstal village, a 10-min walk away, as well as a pub which serves great food. There are also a number of takeaways. For even more choice, head to the picturesque high street in Rochester, where you will find a huge selection of restaurants, including Italian, Indian, Turkish and Spanish.
Our location in the marina offers a tranquil place to kick back and relax within the peaceful surroundings. Our family live on the houseboat, so we are always available, should you need any assistance, or suggestions for things to do in the area.
Picturesque Rochester High Street is just 1.5 miles away from our houseboat, where you will find a wealth of independent shops and cafes. You can visit the grounds of Rochester Castle, a Norman structure built in 1087, with the tallest Norman keep in England. Just across from the castle is Rochester Cathedral, which has been a place of Christian worship since AD604. Throughout the year, the town plays host to a variety of festivals including the Dickens Festival and Sweeps Festival.
Languages spoken: English,Korean

Area info

Amenities of Inner Dowsing Lightship
Great facilities! Review score, 9.3

Most popular amenities
  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
  • Breakfast
Bathroom
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Private Bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Bathtub
  • Shower
Bedroom
  • Linens
View
  • River view
  • View
Outdoors
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Sun deck
Kitchen
  • Dining table
  • Electric kettle
Room Amenities
  • Socket near the bed
Living Area
  • Dining area
  • Sitting area
  • Desk
Media & Technology
  • Flat-screen TV
  • TV
Food & Drink
  • Tea/Coffee maker
Internet
WiFi is available in the rooms and is free of charge.
Parking
Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not possible).
    Services
    • Laundry
    Front Desk Services
    • Invoice provided
    General
    • Carbon monoxide detector
    • Smoke-free property
    • Heating
    • Fan
    • Non-smoking rooms
    Accessibility
    • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
    Languages Spoken
    • English
    • Korean

    House rules

    Inner Dowsing Lightship takes special requests – add in the next step!

    Check-in

    From 3:30 PM to 10:00 PM

    Check-out

    Until 11:00 AM

     

    Cancellation/
    prepayment

    Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

    Children & Beds

    Child policies

    Children over 1 are welcome.

    Children 13 and above will be charged as adults at this property.

    To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

    Crib and extra bed policies

    Cribs and extra beds aren't available at this property.

    Age restriction

    The minimum age for check-in is 18

    Payments by Booking.com

    Booking.com takes your payment on behalf of the property for this reservation. During your stay, you can pay for any extras using Mastercard, ​Visa, ​Cash only and American Express .

    Smoking

    Smoking is not allowed.

    Parties

    Parties/events are not allowed

    Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

    The fine print
    Must-know information for guests at this property

    Please inform Inner Dowsing Lightship of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

    This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.

    FAQs about Inner Dowsing Lightship

    • Yes, Inner Dowsing Lightship is popular with guests booking family stays.

    • Guests staying at Inner Dowsing Lightship can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 10.0).

      Breakfast option(s) include:

      • Continental
      • Buffet

    • The prices at Inner Dowsing Lightship may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.

    • Check-in at Inner Dowsing Lightship is from 3:30 PM, and check-out is until 11:00 AM.

    • Inner Dowsing Lightship is 1.4 miles from the center of Rochester. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

    • Inner Dowsing Lightship offers the following activities/services (charges may apply):