You timed your walk very well, as the Environment Agency had just started to prepare the site for the new flood defence, and it will never look like that again. The EA are now (May 2018) working on it, and the footpath is closed except for houseboat residents until they finish around October time. It will look VERY different then, as lots of the trees and hedges have gone, and there will be a wide wall on the South of the path. The book about the houseboats is Retired on the River by Philip Simons and Nick Hall. Many of the boats are WW2. I live on one of the houseboats which was a Thames lighter.
@MM M When the wall and new footpath were finished it looked very barren and tidy, but it's beginning to morph into a more living appearance ... as we 'own' the flood defence, we are able to put things on it, and some houseboat owners are taking advantage of that. Plants are beginning to grow up it, and the planters on top of it are getting a greater variety of things growing in them. Unfortunately they were not made deep enough because one the house-owners behind objected to the planned deeper ones blocking their view (which you aren't legally entitled to), so they are drying out very quickly, and we are having to experiment with what will grow in them. It's a lovely walk because of the views, but different than when this video was made.
I used to walk home from school from the station and along the path where the houseboats are in the early 60's and this video has taken me back! Memories!
great film we have looked at the house boats a few time in the past and it was nice to see you both doing the film thank you so much all the best from trev and chris
Thanks for this snapshot Richard...the Houseboats have long fascinated me, and it's wonderful that this particular brand of eccentricity lives on...long may it continue... Dave
Really enjoyed this video. My mother moved down to Shoreham partway into her retirement and first lived on Shoreham Beach, near the little church and the Duke of Norfolk bridge (the road bridge). Later she moved into the landward part of Shoreham, on the west side. I several times walked along the footpath alongside the houseboats and they were very interesting and picturesque. This was back in the 1980s and '90s. I've seen some recent videos on Shoreham where it looked as if the houseboats had been cleared away ("urban renewal"?), so I was very glad to see your video and read the comments and to see they are still there. They used to be somewhat of an artists' colony cum hippie hangout. If you want ideas for other videos, I'd suggest a tour of the oldest part of Shoreham-by-Sea, in the neighborhood of the parish church, St. Mary le Havre (hope I have the name right). There are a lot of old houses, some now restored and very expensive residences, and fascinating little pedestrian alleys linking streets, to avoid a long walk to the nearest cross-street. The churchyard is interesting, with some old ruins in it of (I think) part of the church that was damaged and removed from the main building. Also, Old Shoreham, a couple of miles up the Adur, is worth visiting, with a very old church. If you walk up the road from Shoreham-by-Sea (west end) along the river to Old Shoreham, there are good views across the river flood plain toward Lancing--the college chapel a landmark on the far side; there's at least one footpath across the estuary, or at least partway, and other footpaths. Plus plenty of old buildings once one gets a bit out of town. The main rivers of Sussex are, W to E, the Arun, the Adur, and the Ouse. The Arun is where the famous Arundel Castle is situated, seat of the Duke of Norfolk, the premier duchy in the kingdom. Most of the old dukedoms disappeared by the end of the Wars of the Roses, and there are only two really old ones, Norfolk the oldest. The Duke of the time is officially in charge of the Coronation for each new monarch. Shoreham was a thriving small port in medieval times, until the river Adur silted up, alas.
Very nice report on the houseboat area, thank you very much indeed. I remember the path very well for I've walked there several times, and I always wondered what these boats might look like inside. I love the place of Shoreham very much, and I have spent my holidays there for almost thirty years every summer. I usually stayed in the Bridge Inn near Norfolk Bridge or in the 'Crab Tree' near the station. Unfortunately both places are closed now, and I am looking for another B&B in Shoreham, maybe I 'll find one. I would like to come back to Shoreham for it is a very nice, typically English little town without idiotic tourism but a touch of history, culture, pleasant atmosphere - and of course nice people. Maybe the two Gentlemen could give a hint where I could stay in the future.....
I spent a lot of time in Shoreham and seen them many times as a kid and being in a couple of them .my mum used to sell flowers outside the Museum and some of her customers used to live over there,there was one that was painted to look like a shark I like that the best lol
I remember on of the house boats having shark teeth painted on it. I was really disappointed when I was there a few years ago and the shark was gone. But they have become such lovely little industry spots with arts and crafts and fantastic designs :). Jen
Everyone should visit Seattle’s waterfront in the USA. The country’s very first houseboat was founded here, and it is a stunning collection of REAL houseboats on REAL water.
I remember a motor torpedo boat there as well. It’s rather a unique place and a miracle the council hasn’t demanded its clearance as that’s what they normally do.
Interestingly, the Council did try to get rid of them in the 1980s as the houseboats were then rented from the council, but there was a court case and the houseboats were protected, and eventually clubbed together as an organisation (RABOTA) to buy the land. The plots were then leased, but in time the leaseholds were converted to freeholds.
Is there still a community of people living in old upside down boats at Porchester? A la Dickens? As far as I know they are still there. That would be a fascinating video. Esoecially if you could persuade someone to let you in.
@The_Lone_ G ,yes Some local say me its about £500 rent for 1year for boat size 7 meters from landowner a land ,so rent its really cheap than mooring in marina like Lady Bee for example))
What an amazing and unusual place. Is this unique to Shoreham or is it relatively common throughout the south? Around here, people live on narrow boats but I can’t remember ever seeing a houseboat. Great vid. Thank you.
Yes it is pretty unique as we own our moorings, and have gardens the other side of the flood defence (which due to a quirk of inherited Roman law, we also own!) There are a few other groups of houseboats where the houseboat owners also own the moorings, but I don't think any of the other communities are as large as ours.
From what I remember, the concrete boat used to be a fresh water tanker, hence the name is been given now. Certainly a good place for a stroll, with all the artists it must be a bit like Shoreham beach used to be like when it was bungalow town pre war
Hi gents a bit of interesting history with the concrete boat concrete boats were made during the First World War as it wasn't a lot of materials around them to build little boats
Fun fact: the young Rod Stewart and a couple of mates squatted a derelict houseboat near here when he was about 18. The local police kicked him and his mates out and set fire to the boat so they couldn't return.
Its a shame more knowledgable people wernt narrating this as instead of "dirty great old boats" I saw some fantastic craft , like 3 or 4 English Motor torpedoe boat (MTB) at least two submarine chaser . an American PT boat , a ferrocement barge from WW1 these boats need preservation and may be the last place one can find a Samuel White 72 ft ww2 MTB .
8:00 - The artsy one with half a bus on it used to be the Gosport ferry Verda. I learned about these boats about 12 years ago on a forum.
You timed your walk very well, as the Environment Agency had just started to prepare the site for the new flood defence, and it will never look like that again. The EA are now (May 2018) working on it, and the footpath is closed except for houseboat residents until they finish around October time. It will look VERY different then, as lots of the trees and hedges have gone, and there will be a wide wall on the South of the path. The book about the houseboats is Retired on the River by Philip Simons and Nick Hall. Many of the boats are WW2. I live on one of the houseboats which was a Thames lighter.
Hi Jessica, thanks so much for your comments. I am glad we captured some of what it looked like before the changes.
@MM M When the wall and new footpath were finished it looked very barren and tidy, but it's beginning to morph into a more living appearance ... as we 'own' the flood defence, we are able to put things on it, and some houseboat owners are taking advantage of that. Plants are beginning to grow up it, and the planters on top of it are getting a greater variety of things growing in them. Unfortunately they were not made deep enough because one the house-owners behind objected to the planned deeper ones blocking their view (which you aren't legally entitled to), so they are drying out very quickly, and we are having to experiment with what will grow in them. It's a lovely walk because of the views, but different than when this video was made.
I used to walk home from school from the station and along the path where the houseboats are in the early 60's and this video has taken me back! Memories!
great film we have looked at the house boats a few time in the past and it was nice to see you both doing the film thank you so much all the best from trev and chris
Thanks Trevor - they do change from from time to time the house boats - some are huge!
Thanks for this snapshot Richard...the Houseboats have long fascinated me, and it's wonderful that this particular brand of eccentricity lives on...long may it continue...
Dave
cogidubnus1953 So pleased you enjoyed our little romp. thanks for watching!
Really enjoyed this video. My mother moved down to Shoreham partway into her retirement and first lived on Shoreham Beach, near the little church and the Duke of Norfolk bridge (the road bridge). Later she moved into the landward part of Shoreham, on the west side. I several times walked along the footpath alongside the houseboats and they were very interesting and picturesque. This was back in the 1980s and '90s. I've seen some recent videos on Shoreham where it looked as if the houseboats had been cleared away ("urban renewal"?), so I was very glad to see your video and read the comments and to see they are still there. They used to be somewhat of an artists' colony cum hippie hangout.
If you want ideas for other videos, I'd suggest a tour of the oldest part of Shoreham-by-Sea, in the neighborhood of the parish church, St. Mary le Havre (hope I have the name right). There are a lot of old houses, some now restored and very expensive residences, and fascinating little pedestrian alleys linking streets, to avoid a long walk to the nearest cross-street. The churchyard is interesting, with some old ruins in it of (I think) part of the church that was damaged and removed from the main building. Also, Old Shoreham, a couple of miles up the Adur, is worth visiting, with a very old church. If you walk up the road from Shoreham-by-Sea (west end) along the river to Old Shoreham, there are good views across the river flood plain toward Lancing--the college chapel a landmark on the far side; there's at least one footpath across the estuary, or at least partway, and other footpaths. Plus plenty of old buildings once one gets a bit out of town.
The main rivers of Sussex are, W to E, the Arun, the Adur, and the Ouse. The Arun is where the famous Arundel Castle is situated, seat of the Duke of Norfolk, the premier duchy in the kingdom. Most of the old dukedoms disappeared by the end of the Wars of the Roses, and there are only two really old ones, Norfolk the oldest. The Duke of the time is officially in charge of the Coronation for each new monarch.
Shoreham was a thriving small port in medieval times, until the river Adur silted up, alas.
Very nice report on the houseboat area, thank you very much indeed. I remember the path very well for I've walked there several times, and I always wondered what these boats might look like inside.
I love the place of Shoreham very much, and I have spent my holidays there for almost thirty years every summer. I usually stayed in the Bridge Inn near Norfolk Bridge or in the 'Crab Tree' near the station. Unfortunately both places are closed now, and I am looking for another B&B in Shoreham, maybe I 'll find one. I would like to come back to Shoreham for it is a very nice, typically English little town without idiotic tourism but a touch of history, culture, pleasant atmosphere - and of course nice people.
Maybe the two Gentlemen could give a hint where I could stay in the future.....
Thanks so much.
Awesome video. Glad I came across it. I liked the huge grey battleship. The boat with a bus on it was great as well.
Thanks very much.
Richard Vobes Welcome
I spent a lot of time in Shoreham and seen them many times as a kid and being in a couple of them .my mum used to sell flowers outside the Museum and some of her customers used to live over there,there was one that was painted to look like a shark I like that the best lol
Thanks for the extra details - very cool.
I remember on of the house boats having shark teeth painted on it. I was really disappointed when I was there a few years ago and the shark was gone. But they have become such lovely little industry spots with arts and crafts and fantastic designs :). Jen
Yes, it an amazing area for art and independence!
Ah what fun?!! Hello from Indiana USA 🇺🇸. I’ve shared and subbed, and look forward to another.
Take a look when Richard goes to Arundel , i think you would like that.Happy new year
Martin is sweet and has a lot of knowledge I think so wish he was allowed to share it a bit more.
So much to see. That's the 2nd time I have watched it. always more to discover. Will look again no doubt.
Thanks John for watching twice! Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Everyone should visit Seattle’s waterfront in the USA. The country’s very first houseboat was founded here, and it is a stunning collection of REAL houseboats on REAL water.
Real water? Sadly we only have pretend water, but I can tell you that even so, it is wet!
Richard Vobes Lol. We have real water here as well.
I think its tidal on the river, as leads out to sea.
Very interesting boats houses good see it
I think a few humber barges in there, definitely a similar
I remember a motor torpedo boat there as well. It’s rather a unique place and a miracle the council hasn’t demanded its clearance as that’s what they normally do.
Not yet! :)
Interestingly, the Council did try to get rid of them in the 1980s as the houseboats were then rented from the council, but there was a court case and the houseboats were protected, and eventually clubbed together as an organisation (RABOTA) to buy the land. The plots were then leased, but in time the leaseholds were converted to freeholds.
great little film well done
Thank you - what a life it must be living on a houseboat!
Is there still a community of people living in old upside down boats at Porchester? A la Dickens? As far as I know they are still there. That would be a fascinating video. Esoecially if you could persuade someone to let you in.
Great video
How much cost put a boat there?
Thanks for watching - I have no idea how much to have a boat there.
@The_Lone_ G ,yes
Some local say me its about £500 rent for 1year for boat size 7 meters from landowner a land ,so rent its really cheap than mooring in marina like Lady Bee for example))
Thankyou for showing us the boats. Do the caravans on the left belong to the houseboat owners Fascinating place.
Where were the caravans?
That was interesting! It looks like a very eclectic, artistic lot! Not at all like the house boats I'm used to seeing here in OR.
There is a jolly collection for sure.
Loved this,gorgeous,thankyou.
Thanks very much.
That boat with a bus on it is amazing! What an eclectic collection of boats! I wonder if they ever move any of these boats?
I am not sure that they do, other than to replace them. :)
Mtb boats or air sea rescue , a tender, not little boat , the bottoms holed so the sea water can stop the rot
Nice video and great walk. Wish you'd gone right to the end. :)
Ran out of time in the video! :(
2nd watch - this is such a great vlog - Martin Snow and yourself make a great team
RP McDonald-Bell Thanks very much.
What an amazing and unusual place. Is this unique to Shoreham or is it relatively common throughout the south? Around here, people live on narrow boats but I can’t remember ever seeing a houseboat. Great vid. Thank you.
I think this is pretty unique actually.
Yes it is pretty unique as we own our moorings, and have gardens the other side of the flood defence (which due to a quirk of inherited Roman law, we also own!) There are a few other groups of houseboats where the houseboat owners also own the moorings, but I don't think any of the other communities are as large as ours.
Most interesting thanks chaps!
Thank you!
Most interesting! Thank you :-D
Welcome!
I went to Shoreham . Bought a ticket for that airshow, but decided not to go. Been to Brighton. A level crossing from Shoreham to Brighton bus stop.
Did you get to see the houseboats?
@@RichardVobes A new exhibition at the Museum of London. Hidden rivers
@@RichardVobes Morning.
From what I remember, the concrete boat used to be a fresh water tanker, hence the name is been given now. Certainly a good place for a stroll, with all the artists it must be a bit like Shoreham beach used to be like when it was bungalow town pre war
Yes I guess so - it is nice that the tradition continues.
Hi gents a bit of interesting history with the concrete boat concrete boats were made during the First World War as it wasn't a lot of materials around them to build little boats
Quirky place British eccentricity at it's best
Fun fact: the young Rod Stewart and a couple of mates squatted a derelict houseboat near here when he was about 18. The local police kicked him and his mates out and set fire to the boat so they couldn't return.
There is an interesting fact you don't hear every day!
The Boat was on the Eat side of the old footbridge. "Ruppa", Somewhere I have my dads old pictures with the young Rod Stewart.
@@SirJeffJones1wow! That would be interesting to see.
It's an amazing "Nautical Ghetto"!!!
Yes indeed.
Funnyyyyyy......😀👍🏻💋
Lovely boats
This is tiny houses on water lol
They sure are!
@@RichardVobes I am building mine in Greece ;) great video TY
Hello,Im in Greece,where abouts are you?,much better weather for house boat life here,Im around Athens and the Corinthos bay.@@DroneHDTV
Can't remember thank you
Its a shame more knowledgable people wernt narrating this as instead of "dirty great old boats" I saw some fantastic craft , like 3 or 4 English Motor torpedoe boat (MTB) at least two submarine chaser . an American PT boat , a ferrocement barge from WW1 these boats need preservation and may be the last place one can find a Samuel White 72 ft ww2 MTB .
I wish I was more knowlegable. Hope it didn't mar your enjoyment.
a great little retirement community.