The stable, non-boiling, vapour film on a horizontal, confined, surface reported earlier is investigated in more detail. The film is curious in that, unlike normal film boiling, no vapour bubbles detach. New measurements have established a reproducible method of generating the film and the dependence on subcooling and linear surface dimension. The film thickness is measured. The heat transfer behaviour is very similar to that of normal film boiling but there are experimental advantages in being able to study a film free of large-scale disturbances.