A hidden gem that includes a substantial riverside family home, two annexes, and office facilities, all in a stunning woodland setting near Oundle with fishing and mooring rights too!
Imagine hearing What a beautiful spot, I'd love to live here' every time someone comes to your gate. That's what it's like to live at Lock House.
Lock House is truly a hidden gem, nestled in the woods along the River Nene, you could drive right past and not even know it is there. Set back from the road and next to the river, narrowboats pass by and herons fish for their lunch you could easily forget that you are only five miles away from Oundle & Thrapston.
Excellent Education Options
In addition to being conveniently located for commuters, Lock House is ideally situated for excellent schooling options. State and private schools are minutes away. The Oundle School is the most conveniently located. However, Stamford Endowed Schools, Kimbolton School, Kings Peterborough, and Oakham School are all within a 21 mile radius (and some offer bus services).
Holiday at Home
The beauty and leisure pursuits available in the gardens and river, make Lock House feel like a holiday at home. The gardens comprise approximately 1½ acres and have been home to trampolines, swing sets, ziplines, and even rugby posts over the years. At the same time, its mature and extensive gardens can manage themselves or provide the perfect canvas for keen gardeners to express themselves. Of course, the property's 150m of fishing and mooring rights, dock, boat slip, and garden access to the Nene Trail make Lock House the perfect spot for fishing, wild swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, and hiking. The variety of feathered friends makes Lock House appealing to bird watchers, as well. With so much to do, you may never want to leave home.
Versatile Property
If that's the case, you don't have to. In one of the self-contained and air-conditioned annexes, there is ample space to work from home. Currently being used as a large home office and conference room, the first of three self-contained annexes could also be used as a one bedroom apartment, a games room, or gym. Upstairs, there is a two bedroom apartment with a spectacular feature window that looks upon the ancient Beech tree and the river.
And finally, on the edge of the river, a two bedroom apartment completes the collection of outbuildings. This detached single storey cottage, has been let on an Assured Shorthold basis with a passing rent until Summer of 2023, of £13,800pa (and has enjoyed a steady supply of financially-backed tenants from the nearby Molesworth - US Air Force Base).
The three annexes at Lock House offer a variety of options to the homeowner: working from home, multi-generational family living, and/or generating additional rental income or holiday rental.
The Main Event
Lock House is only ¾ mile from the A605, yet secluded and peaceful. Located between Pilton and Achurch villages, you enter through electric gates and along a sweeping tarmac driveway (with parking for 10+ vehicles). An ancient Beech tree features in the centre of the drive.
Behind it, the deceptively spacious main house awaits. The home's living room was originally the lock keeper's cottage and later, part of the kitchen was used as a pumping station to take water from the river to a WWII US military hospital that was housed at the neighbouring Lilford Hall. Over time, the house has been significantly extended, improved upon and modernised. Today, it offers five large bedrooms, several reception rooms, an option for ground floor living, modern amenities (including air conditioning, waste disposal system and hot tap in the kitchen), underfloor heating, exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, and is bursting with rustic charm.
What about the River?
Because Lock House is on the sluice-controlled side of the river and the opposite side of the river is flood plain, the property is well protected from the river. The Environment Agency regularly maintains Lilford Lock to ensure that it is functioning properly and that the water remains at safe levels.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
Ideal for multi-generational families and those seeking to combine a home and business base. The proximity of the Nene Valley Way for walks and the river Nene mooring and fishing rights would excite my active family and offer a fabulous lifestyle base for home, work and play.
James AbbottProperty agent