BP Boathouse

Benjamin Perry Boathouse

You may have seen the BP Boathouse on TV as it’s been used as a filming location several times, including a Channel 4 drama where it was a 17th Century building in Boston, USA!

Named after Victorian shipping firm owner Benjamin Perry, the BP Boathouse Training and Activity Centre is located on Bristol Docks, adjacent to the mysterious Redcliffe Caves.

The historic wooden building on Phoenix Wharf dates back to the 1800s and was restored by the Scouts and Guides in 1982.

Since then, it has been used by thousands of young people and is a meeting place for local community groups.

The Boathouse can be booked for simple, inexpensive overnight stays and sleepovers for about 20 people. It can also be used for meetings or social events by adult members of the Scout and Guide movements and by community and youth groups.

The wooden building is on two floors with external staircases (access is therefore limited for those with restricted mobility). The ground floor and boat yard are used for canoe and boat storage and maintenance.

The upper floor is a large meeting room, seating 40 people, with fine views of the harbour.

For further details, bookings and hire charges, please contact the booking team. Please note BP Boathouse bookings are now managed by Woodhouse Park.

Per HourOvernight
Guide & Scout£20£10 per head per night, min £100
Not for Profit£30£30 per head per night, min £150
Commercial£40£40 per head per night, min £200

For more information about the Boathouse, you can download a printable leaflet here:

BP Boathouse InformationDownload

Hourly Booking: main room and kitchen upstairs and to share the use of the outside staircase and toilets and showers upstairs

Overnight Booking: main room and kitchen, plus the exclusive use of the outside staircase and toilets and showers upstairs.

The whole of the ground floor of the building and the outside area are not included in the hire and must not be used, except in an emergency or specifically agreed.

Please note there is no wifi connection or TV license at the boathouse.

Codes for accessing the outer gate and key safe for the entry door will be emailed 7 days prior to your booking.

Hourly- 60 people

Overnight- 20

Please ensure emergency exits remain clear

The hirer must obtain and pay for any licence required for music, dancing, the display of any film or video or the sale of alcoholic drinks, including ticketed events which include alcoholic drinks.

Please ensure no noise us audible outside the building after 11pm and prior to this do not cause any nuisance or annoyance to the owners or occupiers of any nearby properties or boats.

Please ensure the boathouse is left clean and tidy, as you found it. The code for the cleaning cupboard is 2017

The boathouse is within the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Please check if your vehicle is except at the following link: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/streets-travel/bristols-caz/charges-and-vehicle-checker

Overnight Booking:

Hourly Booking: