The Boat House in Halton-with-Aughton, Lancashire, is a charming and historically significant building nestled along the River Lune. Constructed in the early to mid-19th century, it originally served as the boathouse for Halton Hall, a country estate that once stood nearby. Its ground floor still retains the original boat entrance, marked by a pointed arch that hints at its utilitarian beginnings. The building was expanded in 1939 using salvaged stone from Halton Hall, giving it added character and reinforcing its connection to the estate’s legacy.
Architecturally, the Boat House is built from squared sandstone and topped with a slate roof. Its upper floor features ornate Victorian elements, including a canted oriel window, mullioned windows, and decorative bargeboards with finials and pendants. These features reflect the refined tastes of the 19th century and lend the building a distinctive elegance that contrasts with its more practical origins.
In 1983, the Boat House was officially recognized for its architectural and historical importance when it was designated a Grade II listed building. This status has helped to preserve its character and ensure its continued appreciation as part of the region’s heritage.
The building stands in a conservation area rich in natural beauty and historical depth. Halton itself was once an industrious riverside village, home to mills and forges dating back to the 18th century. Today, the Boat House sits in a peaceful setting where wildlife such as otters, kingfishers, and herons are commonly seen, and the River Lune continues to improve in its quest to support salmon and other aquatic life.
Though no longer used for its original purpose, the Boat House is closely tied to the area’s enduring boating and rowing traditions. The Lancaster John O’Gaunt Rowing Club, founded in 1842, and the Lancaster University Boat Club, now located in the old Halton railway station upstream continue to uphold a vibrant culture of river sports on this calms and tranquil area of the Lune and providing a stunning spectacle especially on regatta days
Now privately owned and with a successful period of trading (with accounts) in recent years as a Prestige Air B’n’B , the Boat House remains a one of the last beautifully preserved examples of Victorian riverside architecture in the United Kingdom Its evolution since the reign of Quenn Victoria from estate utility building to elegant and exclusive dwelling tells a story of adaptation, conservation, and appreciation for heritage that continues to this day.
EPC - TBC
Council Tax Band F
B4RN Superfast Fibre Broadband Fitted
Mains Gas, Electricity and Drainage
Planning information can be found on the LCC planning portal
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