A vintage houseboat on the Thames once used as a recording studio by Groove Armada has gone on sale for an asking price of £325,000. 

The three-bed Vrouwe Anna, a lively 1930 Belgian Spritz barge, is moored in Lots Ait, Brentford in London, and presented in stunning condition.

Current owner Oliver Skipworth bought the boat from Andy Cato, one half of the classic dance act, in 2013 – and says it was once used to record various hits.

‘Northern Star’ was reportedly recorded aboard, as was ‘At The River’ – with both inspired by the Vrouwe Anna and her West London surroundings.

The boat reportedly still has the original patch system and speakers installed by the English music duo before they left.

The barge is being sold for £325,000, and boasts 1,370sq-ft of space in West London

The three-bed Vrouwe Anna, a lively 1930 Belgian Spritz barge, is moored in Lots Ait, Brentford

The Vrowe Anna boasts three bedrooms, a reception room and two bathrooms

Current owner Oliver Skipworth bought the boat from Groove Armada’s Andy Cato

ndy Cato of Groove Armada performs at Nine Elms in london on March 21, 2019

Tom Findlay of the legendary English music duo Groove Armada, pictured in 2018

Cato and his music partner Tom Findlay made several big hits over the years, including ‘Superstylin,’ ‘Easy’ and ‘I See You Baby.’

Oliver said that after speaking to Andy, he found out that the band also used the boat as a studio.

Read More

Meet the chart-topping electro DJ who became a revolutionary National Trust farmer with a mission to transform the way we grow food

Measuring 29.4m by 6m, the Vrowe Anna boasts three bedrooms, a reception room and two bathrooms. This includes two double cabins and a single. 

It is mostly decorated with an oak and dark wood interior with leather detailing and a beautiful skylight.

The vessel has 1,370sq-ft of space on board, with a 37ft open plan kitchen to the saloon reception room, a panelled wheel house and built in storage throughout.

Its sun deck is made of teak and has plenty of space for a table, chairs and lounger. 

And at just £325,000, it is one of the most affordable properties with a TW postcode, within distance of Clapham Junction, Richmond and leafy Chiswick.

Mooring charges are £1,500 per month, plus a maintenance fee of £400, according to River Homes, arranging viewings.

The vessel is currently berthed at Lot’s Ait on a residential mooring licence which can be assigned upon purchase.

For the price, the new owner can enjoy panoramic views of the River Thames, within 11 minutes of Brentford station and five minutes of the A4.

Kew Bridge national rail station is only 13 minutes away, and there is a communal garden a short distance away.

The barge’s residential licence is on a six month rolling contract.

The Vrouwe Anna is available for viewing with River Homes.

Mooring charges are £1,500 per month, plus a maintenance fee of £400

The vessel is currently berthed at Lot’s Ait on a residential mooring licence

The vessel has 1,370sq-ft of space on board, with a 37ft open plan kitchen to the saloon reception room 

‘Northern Star’ was reportedly recorded aboard, as was ‘At The River’ – with both inspired by the Vrouwe Anna and her West London surroundings

Its sun deck is made of teak and has plenty of space for a table, chairs and lounger

Andy Cato with Groove Armada in concert at The Last Full Live UK Tour, 16 Apr 2022

Groove Armada released their first album in 1998 and continue to draw huge crowds eight albums later.

Their most recent release, Edge of the Horizon, came out in 2020.

The band were set to play Glastonbury earlier this year but pulled out over fears for crowd safety.

The dance duo were scheduled for an intimate DJ performance at the Stonebridge Bar at the Somerset festival over the summer.

But organisers said they could not guarantee safety in the small venue.