An incredibly rare opportunity to live in a three-bedroom lock keeper’s cottage for just under the price of the average London flat has come up on the River Trent in Nottinghamshire.
The charming detached property — currently on the market for £450,000 — sits on its own private island and is accessed via a quirky footbridge that leads to a garden surrounding the property on all sides.
“The opportunity to live in and own a property like this is incredibly rare,” says Lucy Saywell, partner at Gascoines, the Southwell-based agent listing the property.
“The former lock keeper’s cottage was owned by British Waterways and housed the lock keeper to support the smooth running of the waterways.
“While these properties do come up occasionally throughout the UK, it’s particularly exciting that this house is move-in ready, as they’re often in disrepair.”
Inside, the welcoming reception leads to a cosy living room complete with dual-aspect windows that soak up the gorgeous views of the lock beyond, while a fireplace adds further character and warmth for the winter months.
The kitchen is more contemporary than you might expect, complete with shaker-style units, Range Master, American-style fridge-freezer and breakfast-bar island, complemented by an adjoining utility room for hiding all your ugly appliances and pretty French doors that open out into the garden.
There’s also a shower room on the ground floor to catch the overspill – quite literally – when guests come to stay.
There are three bedrooms upstairs, the principal with a built-in wardrobe and ensuite shower, the second with more integrated storage and the third a flexible space that’s perfect for repurposing as a home office.
Anchored between the villages of Bleasby (with a pub, crucially) and Fiskerton (with another pub and village shop), the cottage is a 20-minute drive from Newark Northgate station, from where trains to London King’s Cross take just over an hour, making this storybook property surprisingly practical for commuting to the capital too.
“Not only does it enable you to own a piece of history, but transform your lifestyle,” says Southwell.
“The property is surrounded by stunning scenery and offers total peace and privacy for those wanting a quieter, slower pace of life.
“However, one of the best parts is that it’s still connected to the local towns and villages as well as being easily-commutable to London, meaning you don’t have to live-off grid to enjoy rural life.”
