South Dock Marina, Rope Street, Southwark, London, SE16

Architecture & Interior

Kaapsea Drai is the original name given to this Dutch barge built in 1906 in Rijnsaterwoude in the Netherlands - it is considered unlucky to change the name of a boat hence it has stayed the same for over 100 years. (Kaapse Draai - literally means. "Cape turn", and refers to a folk song of the same name that describes a flightpath around the Cape Peninsula literally as the crow flies). The boat was extended in 1943 in Rotterdam probably for the war. It was later sailed over to the UK from France to it's current home in South Dock Marina.

Inside, the white walls and oak wooden floors provide a calm environment and numerous port holes make for a light and bright interior. The bedroom continues this aesthetic with an airy feel.

In total the boat provides 1279 sq ft/118 sq M.

In The Neighbourhood

South Dock Marina is located on the south side of the river Thames and is the only central London marina with an integral boatyard. The marina is spread across two converted commercial docks, South Dock and Greenland Dock.

Southwark owns and operates the marina and provides a modern marina facility within a tranquil setting of redeveloped docks and residential area.

There is a great local pub, The Ship and Whale, which provides a beautiful pub garden and board games for locals.

There is also a watersports centre in the next dock with sailing facilities and a gym.

Transport & connections

The marina has good transport links to the rest of London.

Bus - 199 (stops at Canada Water and Surrey Quays stations)

Tube - Surrey Quays (10 minutes walk) and Canada Water (15 minutes walk)

water - Thames Clipper River bus from Greenland pier(around 3-mins on foot)

Dockland Light Railway (DLR) - Canary Wharf or Greenwich; can be accessed via the Jubilee line underground