Somerton Deep Lock cottage for sale

Somerton Deep Lock cottage is being sold by auction on Wednesday 15th August 2007.

Lock cottages rarely come up for sale, not often freehold, still less in famous and iconic locations.  This must be one of the most iconic of all. 

(I hadn't realised it was for sale until Gypsy Rover mentioned it.  Thanks, Derek.)

The guide price is £200,000, for which you'll get (and for once, an estate agent doesn't exaggerate or gloss):

A wonderful canal side retreat in a rural setting alongside the Oxford Canal, about half a mile north of Somerton. This Grade II-Listed former lock-keeper's cottage is accessed via the towpath or by boat.

For sale by public auction on Wednesday, 15th August 2007 at 6.00pm at The Pavilion, Banbury Cricket Club, White Post Road, Bodicote, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 4BN, unless sold previously.

• Accommodation includes sitting room, kitchen, utility room, boot room
• 2 bedrooms and bathroom. Generator shed, dog kennel,
  greenhouse and attractive gardens.

Actually, there is a slight gloss, if you love modern life.  This cottage truly is 'accessed via towpath or by boat'.  Don't  expect a parking space; the nearest you'll get your car is half a mile away down the towpath. 

From the lock, by boat, you can do a weekly shop in Banbury.  Set off on Saturday after breakfast and you will probably be back by suppertime.  Otherwise you'll need an old woman's shopping trolley, or a wheelbarrow, to your car.

But you'll get a phone line (complete with broadband) and some 'green' living: 

A telephone line is connected at present. Drainage is to a septic tank. There is a private electricity supply at 230 volts from a bank of batteries which are charged by wind, solar and the back-up generator. The current owners have a personal arrangement with the adjoining farmer whereby the septic tank is emptied once a year with access given after harvest.

The full details (PDF) are here.   Canalplan location here.  Google Maps location here.  I've saved the PDF and web page to my computer permanently, because I think it'll be of interest in years to come.

If you want to live lockside then you must prepare to share yourself with boaters, or at least use net curtains.  When Granny Buttons passed this way last year, a young boy played hide and seek with me - hiding when I looked, looking when I turned away.  He kept on jesting with me, so I shot him.  Heh!

Has anyone got a terminal illness and is willing to leave me a quarter-million in his will?  If I had to live within bricks, I'd love to call this place home.

Comments

[ady quartermain]

I worked in the area of Somerton lock in the 80s for British Rail's local track gang and remember being told that a farmer would not let the family who lived in the lock keeper's house cross his land. Was this your family?
Bev.

[Bev]

Hi,
I must say this is lovely to see. My Dad actually lived in this Cottage in the early 80's but unfortunately didnt live the dream he had hoped for. He had so many plans and ideas but due to unforseen circumstances it all went wrong. The house was eventually condemned and he ended up loosing everything. I however have fond memories and used to have so much fun on the weekednds I stayed there! Being about ten years old and having all that space to roam about in was wonderful. It wasnt quite so much fun having to walk what seemed like miles down a muddy tow path to get to the house though! At times my Dad had a little speed boat to get to the road at Somerton where he was lucky enough to be able to park at some kind souls drive! However the boat often would get vandalised while it was left in Somerton. I have been thinking about this place a lot lately and am hoping to go back to have a peek sometime soon. I was so pleased to be able to find your piece on it and the photos! Great to see it looking so pretty and I wish the owners well and hope they are enjoying the lifestyle. Like you I would love to win the lottery and purchase it but maybe just for a holiday home ha ha

[Andrew Denny]

Gill, I don't know. Pardon my ignorance, But are there any lockkeepers' cottages in Essex/Suffolk?
But I believe there are estate agents specialising in waterside properties, although I don't remember which they are now, sorry.

[GILL]

Am looking to purchase a Lock keepers cottage. Prefer Essex / Suffolk.

How do I find out what is coming onto the market for sale?