Over 15,000 Brits have given dry land the heave-ho and taken up residence on the country's waterways. Here are eight reasons why you should join them.
Take a tour: This newly built houseboat, overlooking a picturesque harbour, is full of eclectic finds
1. Freedom!
Imagine being able to change where you live whenever you feel like it? In a houseboat, you can relocate every day if you want to, with zero hassle.
And when you're ready to settle down, you can always take up a permanent mooring.
2. Ever-changing views
Rolling countryside one week, iconic city skylines the next... all you need to do is weigh anchor and watch the scenery unfold.
3. A sense of community
When you become a houseboat owner you're automatically enrolled into an unofficial secret club that landlubbers don't even know about. Wherever you go, it's like having your own little village on the water.
4. No more nuisance neighbours
On the rare occasions when you do moor up next to someone you don't get on with, you don't have to put up with them for long, as you can just move on.
5. Nature on your doorstep
In the morning you'll wake up to the sound of birdsong, during the day you'll sail past England's green and pleasant lands, and at night you'll be rocked to sleep by the waves lapping against the boat.
You can even fish for your supper or pick berries from the banks without leaving your home - what's not to like?
6. You can get creative with bespoke designs
A houseboat demands that you make use of every last inch of space, giving you the perfect excuse to come up with your own stylish, space-saving designs. It shouldn't cost the earth, either, since you don't have that much space to fill.
Read more: These small bedroom ideas are big on style
7. You can build a floating garden
When you live on a houseboat, the ever-changing banks of the canal or river are your garden.
But you can also create your own bit of green space to take with you, by planting flowers, shrubs and herbs in low-maintenance pots.
Prefer life on dry land? Check out these 6 reasons to love living in a studio flat
Let's face it, the reason most people turn to life on the water is the sheer romance of it all. The idea of casting off the shackles of convention and embracing a life less hectic is hard to resist. Plus saying you're a houseboat dweller is a great conversation starter at parties.
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