LV14 SULA Lightship

07/06/2024

We'd like to thank all those who joined us yesterday evening for the International Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the landings - we were moved to see so many new and familiar faces.

We were honoured to have been invited by the UK D-Day organising committee to take part in the International Lighting of Beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace.

A special thanks goes out to Tony for the reading of The International Tribute and to Emily for the beautiful rendition of The Last Post.

🇬🇧💮❤️

23/03/2024

Really cool place to stay with kids! 🛼🧗‍♀️⛳

Fancy a city break? Planning your next adrenalin fueled getaway with the kids? Step aboard Gloucester's most quirky and cool holiday destination - SULA Lightship! 😎👌🏼

So unique in fact, that we've been proudly nominated as 'Unique Stay of the Year' in the SoGlos awards! 🎊

Everything you could possibly need is just a stroll away down the canal path! Wander around Alney Island Nature Reserve, check out the history of Gloucester Docks at the National Waterways Museum and stroll around the basin in search of 'pirate ships! ☠️👻⚓

For thrill seekers, try the heady heights of 270 Climbing 🧗‍♀️, skate over to Roller Express 🛼, hone your putting skills in Puttputt Social⛳ or enter the dreamscape with a VR experience.

At the end of each fun filled day, relax in the comfort of your own lounge with your choice of tipple. Cosy, home from home family vacation with modern facilities and additional option of kids play zone.

Step into Spring - step aboard SULA! ⚓😍

✨ Help us give SULA the recognition she deserves and vote for us in the SoGlos Lifestyle Awards 2024! ✨

9 DAYS TO GO: HOW TO VOTE

🔗 Head over to soglos.com/lifestyle-awards
®️ Register for an account (if you don't already have one)
⬇️ Scroll down to the 'Unique Stay of the Year category'
💙 And click the bright yellow button to vote for us! (then ask all your lovely family and friends to do the same!!) 🎉

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BOOK YOUR STAY
💻 Visit sulalightship.com
☎️ Or call +44 7726 495549
🛎 Now accepting children under 16yrs

- Colin & Viv 💙


Association of Lighthouse Keepers National Historic Ships UK Lighthouse Accommodation fans VisitEngland Gloucester Host Unusual Coolstays National Waterways Museum Gloucester Visit Gloucestershire 270 Climbing Park Putt Putt Social Gloucester

19/03/2024

Where in the world can you...

💎 Stay onboard an Historic Lightship in a luxurious Guest Suite with exclusive access to your very own Sun Deck?!

🪢 Tie the knot under the sunset with the majestic Gloucester Cathedral in the skyline?

🥂 Bathe in the shining light of the last working lens as it illuminates the Docks and our neighbours, Llanthony Secunda Priory?

Maybe its the same place that you can...

🦀 Request fine dining with your very own onboard chef!

🇬🇧 Be saluted by your own home town flag as you step aboard!

🎶 And enjoy onboard events like nights, 🍰 Macmillan Cancer Support coffee mornings, ⚓ talks on the Docks, or creepy stories at Halloween!

All this and more makes us one of the most unique stays in the world - and a flagship landmark for !

✨ Help us give SULA the recognition she deserves and vote for us in the SoGlos Lifestyle Awards 2024! ✨

10 DAYS TO GO: HOW TO VOTE

🔗 www.soglos.com/lifestyle-awards
®️ Register for an account (if you don't already have one)
⬇️ Scroll down to the 'Unique Stay of the Year category'
💙 And click the bright yellow button to vote for us! (then ask all your lovely family and friends to do the same!!) 🎉

⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓

BOOK YOUR STAY
💻 Visit sulalightship.com
☎️ Or call +44 7726 495549
🛎 Now accepting children under 16yrs

- Colin & Viv 💙

LV14 SULA Lightship is widely considered one of Gloucester’s iconic landmarks, easy to spot with its bright red exterior, it is the UK’s only stay aboard lightship, which makes it rather special!

In terms of sustainability, SULA has been repurposed from a redundant Light vessel awaiting scrapping into a unique self-catered accommodation suite of 2 bedrooms, bathroom and perfect kitchen, lounge and dining area.

We love the fact, that SULA provide all their guests’ toiletries in the Suite, which are Ecologically friendly and meet the requirements for discharge into the canal.

It really is the perfect place for an unforgettable staycation! https://sulalightship.com/

14/03/2024

WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE? 💙

1️⃣ We're the 1st and only Lightship in the UK, on the National Historic Ships Register, to host a luxury Guest Suite onboard!

2️⃣ And we're also the 2nd only stay-aboard Lightship in Europe!

Over the past three years we have been dedicated to restoring LV14 SULA to her former glory and have transformed, what was a therapy centre and gift shop, into an exclusive open plan Guest Suite, immaculately furnished with 2 luxurious cabins.

✨ Help us give SULA the recognition she deserves and vote for us in the Lifestyle Awards 2024! ✨

14 DAYS TO GO: HOW TO VOTE

🔗 Head over to the So Glos website www.soglos.com/lifestyle-awards
®️ Register for an account (if you don't already have one)
⬇️ Scroll down to the 'Unique Stay of the Year category'
💙 And click the bright yellow button to vote for us! (then ask all your lovely family and friends to do the same!!) ☺️🎉

⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓⚓

BOOK YOUR STAY
💻 Visit sulalightship.com
☎️ Or call +44 7726 495549
🛎 Now accepting children under 16yrs

- Colin & Viv 💙

SoGlos National Historic Ships UK Lighthouse Accommodation Association of Lighthouse Keepers

09/03/2024

🐾 Run free dear boy 🐾

Friends, it's with devastating heartbreak that we announce the passing of our dear boy, Wilfey.

After a short intense battle with cancer, Wilfey crossed rainbow bridge yesterday afternoon. Reunited with his old pal and playmate, Whistler, he leaves a huge void in our crew, our family, our hearts ❤️

But we thank you, Wilf, for all the love, affection, and unwavering loyalty you blessed us with over the past 9 years. You were such a gentle soul, welcoming Boz and Stanley into the family with such patience and kindness, and you'll be missed by all who knew you.

You will always be our "Bestest Boy"

Run free 🌈

- Viv, Colin, Boz & Stanley

💙

07/10/2023

13 years ago this week (2nd of October to be precise! 😄), SULA made Gloucester Docks her new home 🏡⚓

Travelling up from , where she had undergone an extensive 3 year restoration to return her to her former glory, she travelled 16 miles along the canal by tug. SULA can be seen here in this video expertly negotiating the lock at Rea Bridge.

The owners at the time, Jan and Agnes van der Elsen, can be seen aboard enjoying the view as they approach the city, Gloucester Cathedral spires in view.

How lucky is to have such a unique, iconic vessel of historic maritime value, moored along it's canal! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SULA! ⚓💙

📽️ Thanks MattDs2 for sharing this on your channel!
LV14 SULA Lightship Gloucester Visit Gloucestershire VisitEngland Visit Britain Host Unusual Coolstays QuirkyAccom.com Visit The Cotswolds Lighthouse Accommodation National Historic Ships UK #

07/10/2023

Drum roll please...! 🥁🥁🥁

We are thrilled to announce that we raised a delicious £581 at this year's coffee morning in aid of support! 🎉💚

We'd like to thank everyone who joined us onboard (or under the blustery gazebo!) for an amazing selection of homemade sweet and savoury goodies! Also to those who made donations but could not make it! 🍩🍪🎂🍰🥞☕🫖

Of course, a special thanks must go to our friends on the Docks who generously donated dozens of treats to help make the morning a great success - Zita, Karen, Julie, and Jack!

COMING UP NEXT...
.. is our event with local storytellers, Kirsty Hartsiotis and Anthony Nanson, who will regail us with spooky myths and legends from familiar places around the Shire of Gloucester! 31st October, 7:30pm, £22pp - contact us to book! 👻📖 BYOB and nibbles 🥂🍱

☎️ 01452 416354
📧 [email protected]

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26/09/2023

🎉💚 Help us smash last year's donation £428 to Macmillan Cancer Support 💚🎉

Join us on SULA tomorrow, come rain or shine, and tuck into a delicious array of homemade cakes and savoury goodies, with vegan and veggie options, accompanied by freshly made tea or coffee 🎂🍪🧁🍩🫖☕

There will be a gazebo on dry land for takeaways and those who aren't able to board (so long as it hasn't blown away!!)

🗓️ Wednesday 27th
⏰ 10am - 12:30pm
💳 Cash and card accepted

We hope to see you there - bring your pals!

SULA Crew 💙⚓

08/09/2023

Well Day 1 of Gloucester Heritage Open Days, with four ‘sell out’ tours.
There are 8 tours available tomorrow and 4 tours on Sunday morning, with availability on some tours.
Look up on Gloucester Civic Trust website for details and availability.
Look forward to meeting you on a tour, Captain Colin!!

11/07/2023

What a fantastic weekend to be in ! 🛍️👨🏻‍🍳🥂🍣🍰🎙️🎶🎸

To celebrate, we are offering a special deal for up to 4 adults to stay onboard in our luxurious Humber Suite at the heart of the entertainment, Friday 21st - Saturday 22nd July.

Check out FREE Food Festival with celebrity chef demos, 150+ artisan food stalls, live music, and pop up bar and street food across the weekend. 🍹🍸🦐🥡🥐

You can also enjoy the open air concert taking place at our neighbours, priory as you sit out on deck and watch the sun go down on Friday evening. 🌅

Enjoy FREE tickets to our onboard sea shanty gig with the well renowned crew on Saturday afternoon. 🌊🎶

Extend your stay and add an extra night on Thursday 20th or Sunday 23rd for the discounted price of £100.

HOW TO BOOK:
☎️ Call us on 01452 416354

NEED TO KNOW:
⚓Offer valid for up to 4 adults (16+).
⚓Weekend price discounted to £598 for exclusive access to the Suite on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd July.
⚓Book a 3rd night for £100 on Thursday 20th or Sunday 23rd.
⚓Complementary sea shanty tickets for up to 4 adults for Saturday afternoon, onboard.

14/06/2023

Paint Sula red update -
So much achieved in the past ten days, so let’s start with the Lantern Tower steel repairs.

Time and an error in using expanding foam, trapped water in the external walkway landing support brackets, and extensive corrosion occurred, needing all the 16 brackets to be replaced.

So images showing before; during the installation work carried out by Jamie from T. Neilsen & Company, our brilliant ship repairing company in the docks, and then the completed new support brackets and also welding brackets to the very small rainwater pipes!

Now to get the area painted so the scaffolding can come down!!

05/06/2023

THANK YOU and for selecting LV14 SULA Lightship as a winner of the National Historic Ships Small Grants Scheme 2023 💙 The much appreciated £700 grant went directly towards restoring her 65 year old 📣fibreglass sounding structure.

Fibreglass strands were invented in the 1930’s, but it was only the mid 1950’s that the use of resins, to create GRP, glass reinforced plastic, was used. Therefore, the sounding structure, built in 1958, is a very early example of the use of GRP.

Our research suggests, it is the last Diaphone of its kind to be found on a light vessel across the world. A rare piece of maritime heritage that we believe is worth saving.

The team from Roofing and Building Solutions, Gloucester carried out the fibreglass work involving preparing the existing surfaces, new fibreglass matting, and three top coats of resin, to waterproof the sounding chamber, ready for repainting by us.

Thank you to national historic ships for helping us to preserve this unique historic vessel for future generations.

Team SULA ⚓💙

BOOK the UK's only stay-aboard lightship
💻 Visit sulalightship.com
☎️ Or call 01452 416354
🛎 Exclusively ADULTS only (16+)













vivienne

26/05/2023

Paint SULA red - next episode.
So last week we nearly completed the very top of the light tower - so it just remained fitting new bird spikes to the top, so Captain Jack , donned the harnesses for the last time to fit them.

However, by having a scaffolding erected for painting, enabled a close inspection of the lantern gantry walkway support brackets - and, on cleaning the brackets we discovered were badly corroded, and required total replacement- so we are now waiting for some steel fabrication by local shipyard T. Neilsons to carry out the works.
However, it means that we have had a bit of replanning, we need to remove the top section of scaffold, as you can see part of the scaffold sits on the platform - so we needed to prepare and paint the glazing bars above the top scaffold platform - so steady hand Roger has been doing that task this week. The lower bars can be done once the top scaffold comes down - hopefully that is next week.
So , with other news to follow, about what else was achieved - next episode!, I leave you with an image of a section of paint removed from just below the glazed lantern. How many layers can you see???

24/05/2023

Happy Wilfey Wednesday friends! How do you like my tux from my big brothers wedding?!! 💒💖🐶

17/05/2023

Well we started the great repaint of Sula, so thought you might like to see progress as it happens.
This year we are hoping to repaint the light tower, look out shelter; main deck superstructure and inside the gunwales ( the inside of the hull above main deck level).
So from the top down we need to put up a scaffold- it took two days to erect.

05/05/2023

Did you spot us in the Times newspaper this week?! 🗞️

We had a visit from photographer Paul Nicholls whilst 'Captain Colin' was polishing up SULA's rare Fresnel lens ready for our light show on Sunday to mark the King's Coronation! 👑🇬🇧

We invite you all to join us for some great photo opportunities. There will be a bit of a surprise too! 💡⚓💙

📸 Paul Nicholls Photography (c)

26/04/2023

Join us on deck for an afternoon of music and entertainment with the popular group Short Drag Roger!😎

Contact us to reserve your ticket! 🎶🎙️🏴‍☠️💪🏼

Saturday 22 July, 2:30pm to 17:30pm.

BOOK TODAY!🎙️🎶 💪🏼🍻🥳⚓

Step aboard SULA for an afternoon of song and entertainment by the the famous sea shanty crew, Short Drag Roger!

The shipmates will sing a collection of traditional and more modern rousing sea shantys that will have you tapping your feet, swinging your arm and shouting "ARGHH"!! 😄

Short Drag Roger have been serenading people around the country for more than 20 years, appearing at popular festivals, pubs and clubs.

There will be a range of alcoholic and soft drinks available onboard including Gloucester Brewery favourites.

Come and join us for some fun! 🥳💙

👉🏼 Visit shortdragroger.co.uk for videos
TO BOOK:
☎️ Call us 01452 416354 or
📧 Email [email protected]
🎫 £25 per person
🎶 Suitable for 16+ yrs

❗ACCESS: Please be aware that, depending on the weather, the performance may be indoors requiring decent of a steep metal staircase. Sadly SULA is not suitable for anyone with mobility difficulties due to its very nature.
Short Drag Roger


Gloucester
Gloucestershire Live
Punchline Gloucester
Visit Gloucestershire
Visit Gloucestershire
National Waterways Museum Gloucester
Kathleen May Gloucester Docks
Gloucester: A Trip Back In Time
Gloucester Rocks
Lightvessels and lightships
Lighthouse Accommodation
Association of Lighthouse Keepers
National Historic Ships UK

20/04/2023

BOOK TODAY!🎙️🎶 💪🏼🍻🥳⚓

Step aboard SULA for an afternoon of song and entertainment by the the famous sea shanty crew, Short Drag Roger!

The shipmates will sing a collection of traditional and more modern rousing sea shantys that will have you tapping your feet, swinging your arm and shouting "ARGHH"!! 😄

Short Drag Roger have been serenading people around the country for more than 20 years, appearing at popular festivals, pubs and clubs.

There will be a range of alcoholic and soft drinks available onboard including Gloucester Brewery favourites.

Come and join us for some fun! 🥳💙

👉🏼 Visit shortdragroger.co.uk for videos
TO BOOK:
☎️ Call us 01452 416354 or
📧 Email [email protected]
🎫 £25 per person
🎶 Suitable for 16+ yrs

❗ACCESS: Please be aware that, depending on the weather, the performance may be indoors requiring decent of a steep metal staircase. Sadly SULA is not suitable for anyone with mobility difficulties due to its very nature.
Short Drag Roger


Gloucester
Gloucestershire Live
Punchline Gloucester
Visit Gloucestershire
Visit Gloucestershire
National Waterways Museum Gloucester
Kathleen May Gloucester Docks
Gloucester: A Trip Back In Time
Gloucester Rocks
Lightvessels and lightships
Lighthouse Accommodation
Association of Lighthouse Keepers
National Historic Ships UK