Fat Panda began life in the 1960s as a Dutch barge named Houd’um; a name that translates loosely to “Hold On.”
Built in the Netherlands, she was designed for inland waterways and constructed with the solid steel hulls typical of that period.
In 2019, Houd ’um made her way from the Netherlands to the UK, where she continued life on the water as a liveaboard.
Over the decades, she has seen several owners and modifications, each leaving a mark on her structure and layout.
In 2022, she was renamed Fat Panda; a nod to her wide, rounded hull and steady character.
In 2025 Fat Panda and has undergone a careful reconfiguration to serve as a comfortable short-stay barge for guests seeking some peace and tranquility while retaining her original charm.
Now moored at Thames & Kennet Marina in Caversham, Berkshire, Fat Panda offers guests the chance to experience life on the river in a vessel that carries both history and purpose.
