This is the boat-roofed shed tiny house otherwise known as the Boatel in Machynlleth, Powys, United Kingdom. The boat-roofed shed accompanies a bed in a boat that’s nearby.
The space is set up on a mountain on an acre of wildflowers. Guests get to experience the quirky Boat Roofed Shed with basic cooking facilities while sleeping facilities are in the nearby boat.
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Boat-Roofed Shed With Accompanying Bed in a Boat
Images via Alex/Airbnb
Mountain Views from the Dyfi Valley Property
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The Boat-Roofed Shed Common Area
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Private Sleeping Space in the Boat
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The Boatel Exterior
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Cozy Interior with Wood Burner
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Fire and Candlelit Ambiance
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Kitchenette with Basic Cooking Facilities
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Coffee and Tea Station
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Vintage Decor and Antiques Throughout
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Images via Alex/Airbnb
The Shed Kitchen and Hangout Space
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Outhouse with Main House Access Available
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Scenic Views from the Outhouse
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Additional Kitchen and Dining Structure
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The Property in Winter Snow
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Wildflower Setting on an Acre of Land
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Design Details
- Name: The Boatel
- Location: Machynlleth, Powys, Wales, United Kingdom
- Region: Dyfi Valley
- Property Size: One acre of wildflowers
- Year Built: 2012 using recycled materials
- Structures: Boat-roofed shed (common area) + Boat (sleeping quarters)
- Heating: Wood burner
- Kitchen: Basic cooking facilities, coffee/tea station
- Bathroom: Outhouse on property, main house restrooms available
- Decor: Antiques and vintage trinkets throughout
- Animals: Two friendly dogs, cats, and ex-caged chickens on property
- Type: Vacation rental (Airbnb)
Lessons from This Quirky Welsh Tiny Stay
The Boatel offers insights for anyone interested in alternative tiny accommodations:
- Separating sleeping and living spaces creates unique experiences — The boat for sleeping and shed for cooking offer distinct zones
- Recycled materials create character — Built in 2012 from recycled materials, the space has authentic charm
- Repurposed boats make creative roofing solutions — An upturned boat creates a distinctive and functional roof
- Off-grid amenities can still be comfortable — Wood burners and basic kitchens provide everything needed
- Views can define a tiny space experience — Mountain vistas from an acre of wildflowers elevate simple accommodations
- Outhouses don’t have to be primitive — With scenic views and main house access available, bathroom needs are met
- Antiques and vintage decor add warmth — Curated trinkets make small spaces feel intentional and cozy
- Tiny rentals can showcase creative building approaches — Quirky designs attract guests seeking unique experiences
Learn More
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Alex
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I think this is one of those situations where “If you don’t have anything good to say… then it is best to say nothing at all.”
Nah nah, it’s called quirky. For those who’ve been there and done that… because they could.
Yes, it’s eccentric but creative… Basically glamping with a dose of local flavor/culture… I can see this being done by a former sailor or fisherman with a sense of humor and nostalgia, with possibly a dose of campfire tales of old to go along with it during stays…
I don’t think glamping’s the right word for it… more let’s do something quirky but cheap, milk it for all its worth and then flog it off to the first sucker… of course, your view on it differ.
I’m comparing it to actual camping… While you should read the guest reviews for what guests actually thought of it… There’s more to it than the photos show, like the area it’s in, views, host treatment of the guests, etc.
This is the coolest thing ever! I love it to pieces!
I have always left well enough alone when I see something on here that I find totally bad. This is going to be the exception, this is just a bunch of dilapiated, thrown together “structures” that somebody decide to rent to that proverbial “sucker born every day”. One counter looking on the verge of collapse, scared to look behind those knick-nacks for fear of finding black mold.
You have my total agreement from here, also a total eye sore and blemish on earth mother.
I would hate to look out my window and have to see this trash.
That’s the thing with just about everything, as what one person may consider worthless could be highly prized or valued by someone else, and vice versa… Like the 293 reviews given to this place shows…
Just like art, opinions will vary as shown by the fact this won the UK’s Cuprinol’s Shed of the Year awards for both the ‘Shed of the Year’ Unique Category and the Overall category in 2013, having competed with total of 1,975 entries ranging from humble garden shed to TARDIS replicas and other creative themed shed builds…
Just obviously not for everyone but it’s not pretending to be anything it’s not… It says right at the start of the AirBNB about description, “Be under no illusion this is like camping under a wooden roof!”… and pretty clearly states from there what it is from what it isn’t…
So they’re not trying to con anyone, it just caters to those with a quirky and humorous appreciation of the unusual… Just like someone turning a giant potato prop, Helicopter, giant shoe, prison cell, UFO, Lunar Lander, barn, stables, etc. into a AirBNB… Someone even literally turned a trash dumpster into a rent-able apartment… And there are some even more strange and unusual ones when you get into those done as art projects…
There’s a whole world of stuff that may surprise you that can include things even more bizarre and unusual than this example and the fact they actually cater to people interested in such things for what they are…
Totally agree with you. Some parts of it looked like rubbish (as in trash) used because they could, and it shows. Mores the pity. If I owned an Air BnB type business I wouldn’t list it.
No need for pity, they’re successful with many a happy guest. Just isn’t for you…
Hi Patricia,
This is my space and people love it. You typify the kind of guest that we do not want. Keep your vitriol to yourself!
Alex
This is my second time seeing this, and I still love it! It reaches that kid in me who liked to build tree houses with my cousins out of whatever scrap boards, rope, tin, and other stuff we could find. It was fun to build and fun to sleep in at night. We had to find creative ways to get food and water up to the tree house, and make a retractable ladder. This set up is far more sophisticated, of course, but it still brings together the whimsical with the practical, history with present day things, cozy with charming. If I could get there, I’d definitely stay at this place. The sleeping area reminds me of the loft in my first tiny house, and I slept well in that loft. I love this place!
I really don’t want to be unkind here, but this whole place looks as if a tweaker had some time on his hands and some junk laying around his yard, and decided to put it together. You asked for a comment, I gave one.