Details:
Swingbridge House is a substantial and highly individual village home, occupying a rare linear frontage to the Grand Union Canal on the edge of Nether Heyford, with open countryside to the front and waterway views to the rear. The property enjoys an unusually private setting for a village house, with the canal forming a defining backdrop and providing a constantly changing outlook throughout the seasons.

Originally constructed circa 1780, at the time of the canal's development, the house is understood to have served historically as a canal-side inn with associated stabling. Its position beside the former swing bridge reflects the important role the building once played within the working canal network. Renamed Swingbridge House by the current owners in commemoration of this history, the property retains a strong sense of place, with its relationship to the canal remaining central to its character and appeal.

Over time, the building has evolved into a generous and versatile private residence, offering extensive accommodation arranged around a series of well-proportioned reception rooms and six bedrooms. Period features sit comfortably alongside later additions, creating a house that feels both established and highly functional, with excellent flow between the interior spaces and the surrounding gardens.

Beyond the principal house, the property offers a lifestyle rarely found in such a picturesque village setting, with direct canal access, landscaped gardens, a heated outdoor swimming pool, ancillary buildings and additional land. Nether Heyford itself is a well-regarded Northamptonshire village with local amenities and primary schooling, while more comprehensive services and transport connections are available in nearby Weedon Bec, Daventry and Northampton.

Features:
Linear waterside setting on the Grand Union Canal
Edge of Nether Heyford with open countryside views
Approx. 1780 origins as a former canal-side inn
Six bedrooms; extensive reception space
Heated outdoor swimming pool & gym
Separate 1,500sqft warehouse/workshop
Paddock with stables & tack room
Detached double garage
No onward chain

Local Authority: West Northants Council
Council Tax: Band G
EPC: TBC
Services: Oil, Electricity, Water, Solar Panels & Private Drainage
Broadband: Full Fibre Broadband is available with download speeds of up to 1000 Mbps

Location:
Swingbridge House occupies a particularly attractive linear canal-side position on the edge of the village of Nether Heyford, set alongside a tranquil stretch of the Grand Union Canal and surrounded by open countryside. The property enjoys a rare combination of direct water frontage, expansive rural views and a strong sense of privacy, while remaining well connected to nearby towns and transport links.

The property's historic relationship with the canal remains evident today, contributing to its distinctive sense of place and waterside character.
Today, the canal forms a defining feature of the property, running directly along the rear boundary and providing an ever-changing outlook, seasonal interest and immediate access to the towpath. Canal mooring rights further enhance the lifestyle appeal, offering a rare opportunity for private waterside enjoyment (subject to the usual consents and regulations).

Nether Heyford itself is located to the west of Northampton in the valley of the river Nene. This thriving village has a good range of shops including general store, hairdressers, butchers, and post office. There are two popular public houses, a village hall, and two churches. The extensive playing fields have a cricket club, football club, tennis courts and a bowls club. The village primary school is a voluntary aided establishment housed within a beautiful Gothic style building. One of the most striking features of Nether Heyford is its beautiful 5-acre, tree-lined, village green - acknowledged as being one of the largest in the country. A smaller green in the centre of the village contains the War Memorial cross.

Nether Heyford is an ideal location for families seeking a tranquil village location but with all the benefits of easy access for commuting with convenient access to the M1, and train journeys to London or Milton Keynes from the nearby Long Buckby Railway Station.

Accommodation:

Ground Floor

Entrance Hall
The property is approached via an attractive recessed entrance porch with chamfered oak supports and riven stone steps, leading to a traditional panelled front door with glazed side panels. This opens into a centrally positioned entrance hall, which provides an effective point of connection to the principal ground floor rooms.

Hardwood panelled doors with brass furniture lead to the drawing room, sitting room, dining area and ground floor bathroom. The hall is arranged on a subtle split level, finished with cut-pile carpeting, and is neutrally decorated with areas of exposed facing brickwork. A matching hardwood door opens to a useful understairs cupboard housing the heating controls and a 10kW solar battery, while a separate cloak cupboard to the front is fitted with hanging rails and lighting, providing practical storage for coats and footwear. To the rear, a full-height glazed door gives direct access to the garden and canal-side patio, and a straight flight of carpeted timber stairs rises to the first-floor accommodation.

Sitting Room
Centrally positioned within the house, the sitting room is a bright and comfortable reception space with far-reaching countryside views to the front and a pleasant outlook to the canal at the rear. Sliding doors open onto the waterside terrace, extending the room naturally into the garden. The ceiling retains exposed joists and beams, and there is an attractive inglenook fireplace with a cambered brick arch, flagstone hearth and a large original bread oven. The fireplace incorporates a traditional multi-fuel stove, framed by period-style leaded lights which cast a pleasing quality of light into the fireplace. Cut-pile carpeting continues underfoot, and a traditional ledged-and-braced door with wrought iron furniture opens to the adjoining family snug area.

Drawing Room
Currently arranged as a billiard and games room, the drawing room is a generous triple-aspect space with excellent natural light. Windows to the front and side enjoy canal-side views, while sliding doors open directly onto the pool terrace, creating an easy connection between the principal reception space and the outdoor entertaining area. The room is finished with cut-pile carpeting and a central ceiling rose with pendant lighting. Full-width solid timber shelving and cabinetry have been fitted, providing substantial storage and an effective library/display wall.

Dining Room
A generous formal dining room suited to entertaining, with dual-aspect windows, good ceiling height and discreet recessed directional lighting. The room enjoys attractive front-facing views across the surrounding countryside, with a side outlook towards the pool terrace. Walls are finished with tasteful decorative lining paper and the floor is laid with cut-pile carpeting. To the front of the room, a series of plaster niches incorporate hardwood cabinetry with shelving above, providing practical storage for cutlery and crockery.

Family Snug
Retaining a number of period features, the family snug has a central spine beam with exposed ceiling joists and traditional ledged doors with T-bar hinges and wrought iron Suffolk latches. A segmental bay window to the front aspect looks out towards the Grand Union Canal. There is also an attractive brick inglenook fireplace with a stained timber beam over, a quarry-tile hearth and an inset multi-fuel stove, creating a cosy focal point for the room.

Study
Believed to occupy part of the former stabling associated with the original inn, the study is a distinctive triple-aspect room with extensive glazing to the perimeter and wide panoramic views along the waterway. A circular porthole-style window to the rear adds character and looks out over the side garden. The ceiling is vaulted with exposed oak ties and stained timber rafters, complemented by recessed directional spot lighting. The room is finished with cut-pile carpeting and fitted oak cabinetry, providing both storage and practical workspace areas.

Kitchen Breakfast Room
The kitchen/breakfast room is a bright triple-aspect space fitted with high-quality solid oak cabinetry in a traditional Shaker style, with wrought iron furniture, quartz worktops and a central island. Integrated appliances include a warming drawer and microwave, a Neff double electric oven, an Amana American-style fridge/freezer with drinks dispenser, a four-burner Neff induction hob and an additional two-burner Neff gas hob. A double-bowl stainless-steel sink with mixer tap is positioned beneath a rear-facing window with attractive views across the garden and the Grand Union Canal.

To one end of the room is a defined dining area with space for a good-sized table and chairs, enjoying panoramic outlooks to the canal at the rear and open fields to the front. A breakfast bar provides informal seating for three. The floor is laid with large-format limestone, while the ceiling incorporates recessed directional lighting alongside exposed beams. A part-glazed door opens to the central garden area.

Utility Room
Steps descend from the family snug to a large utility room fitted with Shaker-style base and wall cabinetry with roll-edge worktops, providing ample practical storage. A stainless-steel sink and drainer with chrome mixer tap is positioned beneath a side window, with additional natural light from a front-facing top-hung casement. The room retains exposed timber joists to the ceiling and includes a useful understairs cupboard with shelving. A traditional ledged-and-braced door with a Suffolk latch opens through to the pantry.

Pantry
With painted brickwork walls, the pantry is a cool and highly practical space, fitted with perimeter shelving and provision for wine storage. A front-facing casement window provides natural light and ventilation.

First Floor

Principal Bedroom
The principal bedroom enjoys splendid canal-side views and a wide sky through a segmental bay window to the rear. This is a well-proportioned double room with bespoke fitted cabinetry and a four-poster bed, complemented by good ceiling height, recessed directional lighting and plush cut-pile carpeting.

Dressing Room
The principal suite is complemented by a generous dressing room positioned off the first-floor landing, fitted with matching built-in cabinetry with mirrored double doors providing excellent hanging and shelving storage.

En Suite Bathroom
Finished with matching bespoke cabinetry, the en-suite is appointed with a high-quality suite comprising a double-ended whirlpool bath with fitted surround, a double-width shower enclosure with both handset and overhead shower, a close-coupled WC, and a wash hand basin with chrome pillar taps set into a vanity unit. A two-pane window over the basin enjoys views towards the canal, and there is also a traditional-style ceramic bidet. Additional built-in storage is provided by an airing cupboard with slatted shelving, housing the hot water cylinder. The room is heated by a chrome ladder towel radiator and benefits from mechanical extract ventilation.

Bathroom
Located off the first-floor landing, the principal bathroom is a characterful part-vaulted room with exposed beams and rafters. It is fitted with a four-piece suite comprising a bath set into a tiled surround with chrome pillar taps and shower attachment, a wash hand basin set within a vanity unit with tiled splashback, a close-coupled WC and a bidet. Two side windows provide natural light and views over the garden, and the floor is finished with cut-pile carpeting.

Bedroom Two
Bedroom Two is a split-level double room, currently arranged as a twin, with dual-aspect windows and a part-vaulted ceiling with exposed rafters. A rear dormer incorporates a window seat and enjoys canal-side views, while a side window overlooks the swimming pool terrace and garden.

Bedroom Three
Positioned to the centre rear of the house and enjoying a two-pane window overlooking the canal, Bedroom Three is a well-proportioned double room with extensive built-in storage arranged to the perimeter. Walls are finished in neutral tones and the floor is laid with cut-pile carpeting.

Bedroom Four
A further double bedroom, currently used as a hobby room, with dual-aspect windows providing attractive canal-side views. The room benefits from extensive fitted storage in Shaker-style base and wall units with additional shelving, together with a built-in vanity unit incorporating a wash hand basin with pillar taps.

Bedroom Five
A double bedroom positioned to the front right-hand side of the house, with windows overlooking the pool terrace and enjoying far-reaching countryside views. The room offers ample space for freestanding furniture and lends itself well as a comfortable guest bedroom.

Bedroom Six
A single bedroom positioned to the front centre of the house, with a two-pane window enjoying open countryside views. The room is presented in neutral tones with a part-vaulted ceiling and cut-pile carpeting.

Second Bathroom
Fitted with a four-piece suite comprising a bath with chrome mixer tap and shower attachment, a wash hand basin with chrome mixer tap set into a vanity unit with tiled splashback, a close-coupled WC and a bidet. A dormer window with a fitted window seat enjoys views towards the Grand Union Canal, and the room is further enhanced by a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams.

Ancillary Buildings & Land

Double Garage
The detached double garage is of masonry construction with cream rendered elevations beneath a dual-pitched slate roof. Coach-style lighting is fitted externally, and a wide aluminium up-and-over door provides vehicle access. The garage is served by power and lighting, and there is separate pedestrian access to the rear via a part-glazed door with a matching three-pane sidelight. A fitted workbench provides useful workshop space, with ample room remaining for further storage.

Plant Room
Set beneath an open vaulted roof, the plant room accommodates the key service equipment including the oil tank, floor-standing boiler, pool heat exchanger, and filtration system. It is a practical space with power and lighting to support ongoing maintenance of the heating and pool systems. Access is provided from both front and rear via ledged-and-braced timber doors with Suffolk latches and secure locks.

Gym and Store
Set within a substantial timber outbuilding beneath a dual-pitched roof, with an extended canopy facing towards the swimming pool, the gym and adjoining store provide useful ancillary space for exercise equipment and general sports or garden storage. The gymnasium is naturally lit by side casement windows and is accessed via glazed double doors.

Industrial Warehouse Unit
A notable additional asset is the separate industrial warehouse/workshop extending to over 1,500sqft, constructed on a steel portal frame with low-level masonry walls, profiled steel cladding and a dual-pitched profiled roof. The unit is accessed via a secure roller-shutter goods entrance, with separate lockable pedestrian access to the rear. The space offers flexible potential for ancillary business use, storage or workshop requirements (subject to any necessary consents). There is also a separate WC block with drainage provision for a shower installation. Dedicated vehicular access from Weedon Road is provided via secure metal double gates opening onto a substantial tamped concrete loading area, suitable for deliveries and manoeuvring.

Paddock and Stables
Extending to just over half an acre, the paddock provides useful grazing land with stabling and its own separate vehicular access. Established perimeter hedgerows offer good screening from Weedon Road and the canal side, creating a degree of shelter and privacy. Within the paddock is a large storage building, currently in a dilapidated condition and not in use, but with scope for improvement or alternative use, subject to the necessary consents. The detached four-bay stable block is of traditional masonry construction with white-rendered elevations and a pitched canopy supported by timber posts. The building comprises three loose boxes with stable doors and individual casement windows, together with a sizeable tack room with a secure door.

Gardens & Canal Setting

Front Aspect
Swingbridge House is set back from Weedon Road behind grass verges, established hedging and a combination of close-boarded fencing and sections of brick garden walling. The front elevation is well presented, with a light-coloured rendered façade beneath multi-pitched slate roofs.

Pool Terrace and Garden
To the right-hand side of the property is a generous outdoor entertaining area, with a riven-stone terrace providing seating space, a built-in brick barbecue and curved steps rising to the pool terrace. The heated swimming pool is surrounded by matching riven paving to create a clean, practical setting for summer use. This area is thoughtfully screened by mature conifers, established hedging and curved brick garden walls with close-boarded fencing, creating a strong sense of privacy. Beyond the pool, the garden opens out towards the canal with lawns, established trees and seasonal planting, together with a raised viewing platform positioned to make the most of the outlook. Traditional coach-style lighting provides evening illumination, and a ledged-and-braced gate gives access to the towpath for canal-side walks.

Rear Garden
The rear garden is arranged in a cottage style along the canal, with a series of split-level riven-stone seating terraces, cobbled hardstanding areas and well-stocked raised borders. Stone and brick retaining walls define the different levels and create a variety of sheltered spots for outdoor dining and sitting, all set beside the Grand Union Canal. Views towards the former swingbridge add a pleasing historical backstory to the setting.

Side Garden
The rear garden continues around to the side, where there is a circular patio area and a sunken brick fuel store. The gardens are well maintained with a variety of established shrubs and planting. A pathway runs through the lawn to the detached double garage. The side garden also benefits from its own vehicular access via sliding gates set between brick piers. A gravel driveway provides off-road parking and leads to the detached double garage, with lawns, mature trees and hedging along the canal towpath. A further ledged-and-braced gate provides pedestrian access to the towpath.

Important Notice:
Whilst every care has been taken with the preparation of these Sales Particulars, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed, and they do not constitute a contract or part of one. David Cosby Chartered Surveyors have not conducted a survey of the premises nor tested services, appliances, equipment, or fittings within the property and therefore no guarantee can be made that they are in good working order. No assumption should be made that the property has all necessary statutory approvals and consents such as planning and building regulations approval. Any measurements given within the particulars are approximate and photographs are provided for general information and do not infer that any item shown is included in the sale. Any plans provided are for illustrative purposes only and are not to scale.

In all cases, prospective purchasers should verify matters for themselves by way of independent inspection and enquiries. Any comments made herein on the condition of the property are provided for guidance only and should not be relied upon.

Please note that upon acceptance of an offer and in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation we will need to undertake proof of identity and source of funds checks for each purchaser at a cost of £25 per person.