Bulbourne, Tring, HP23

Welcome To Lock 42…

There are homes with a view, and then there are homes where the view becomes part of everyday life.

Set beside the Grand Union Canal, with the water passing quietly in front and open countryside stretching beyond, Lock 42 is a truly individual four-bedroom home offering character, tranquillity and an extraordinary connection with its surroundings.

Lovingly extended and improved by its current owners, the property provides generous and wonderfully flexible accommodation arranged across three floors. Period character sits comfortably alongside thoughtful modern additions, creating a home that feels warm, distinctive and deeply personal.

Morning coffee beside the canal, long lunches on the decking and peaceful evenings watching the light move across the water all form part of life here. This is more than a house beside the canal; it is an opportunity to embrace an entirely different pace of life.

The Approach…

Lock 42 is approached on foot along the towpath, immediately setting it apart from the everyday.

As the house comes into view, its white facade, mature greenery and waterside setting create a scene that feels almost removed from the modern world. The gentle movement of the canal, passing boats and surrounding wildlife provide an ever-changing backdrop.

Residents’ parking is located approximately six minutes’ walk away, where the property benefits from two reserved spaces. The absence of passing traffic adds greatly to the home’s peaceful and private atmosphere.

Step Inside…

The entrance opens into a welcoming hallway, introducing a home filled with character, natural light and unexpected views.

From here, the accommodation unfolds across three individual levels, providing excellent flexibility for family life, visiting guests or those wishing to work from home.

Rooms By The Water…

Two beautifully proportioned reception rooms occupy this level, each enjoying serene views across the canal.

These are rooms designed for slowing down. One could become an elegant sitting room for quiet evenings beside the water, while the other offers a relaxed space for entertaining, reading or simply watching the boats drift past.

The changing seasons are constantly present: soft spring greenery, the warmth of summer on the water, rich autumn colour and peaceful winter mornings reflected across the canal.

Also positioned on this floor are two generous double bedrooms, providing flexible accommodation for family or guests. A recently updated contemporary shower room serves this level, combining modern styling with everyday practicality.

The Heart Of The Home…

The lower ground floor reveals the warm and characterful heart of Lock 42.

The dining room sets the tone beautifully, with exposed timbers, patterned walls and natural textures creating a richly layered setting for long lunches, relaxed suppers and evenings gathered around the table.

From here, the accommodation flows naturally into the kitchen and breakfast room, where freestanding cabinetry, a substantial range cooker and traditional detailing create a warm and inviting backdrop to everyday life. It is a room made for unhurried mornings, coffee at the kitchen table and conversation while supper is prepared.

Beyond, the sitting room brings a completely different atmosphere. Windows wrap around the space, while double doors open directly onto the decking and seating area beyond, creating a wonderfully close connection with the garden and stream.

From spring greenery and long summer evenings to autumn colour and quiet winter mornings, the changing seasons become part of the room itself, giving it a constantly evolving outlook and a genuine sense of living alongside the landscape.

A luxurious bathroom with spa bath completes the level, offering a wonderfully indulgent place to unwind at the end of the day.

Upstairs Retreats…

The upper floor provides two further bedrooms, creating peaceful and private retreats away from the principal living spaces.

Both rooms offer excellent versatility and could be arranged as comfortable bedrooms, guest accommodation, a creative studio or a quiet home office.

An additional bathroom serves this floor, making the arrangement particularly well suited to family living or welcoming overnight visitors.

A Garden Beside The Canal…

Outside, Lock 42 continues to enchant.

The beautifully maintained garden has been designed around its remarkable position, with extensive decking and several thoughtfully placed seating areas offering different perspectives across the water and surrounding countryside.

There are places for dining in the sunshine, reading beneath the greenery or enjoying a glass of wine as the evening settles over the canal. Mature planting softens the boundaries and enhances the sense of privacy, while the water provides a peaceful and constantly changing outlook.

The garden feels like a natural extension of the house—somewhere to entertain, unwind and fully experience the beauty of the setting.

Space For Practical Life…

Alongside its more romantic qualities, Lock 42 offers excellent practical accommodation.

A useful workshop provides space for hobbies, storage or creative projects, while a separate utility room helps keep the everyday workings of the home away from the principal living areas.

The property also benefits from having no water rates payable, an unusual advantage understood to stem from its history as a former British Waterways building.

Access to the plant room and a wood-pellet biomass boiler complete the property’s practical arrangements.

A Different Way Of Living…

Life at Lock 42 is shaped by the water.

It is waking to birdsong rather than traffic, greeting passing boats from the garden and taking evening walks directly from the front door. It is watching reflections move across the canal and experiencing the landscape differently with every season.

Despite this feeling of seclusion, the property remains within easy reach of Tring, its mainline railway station and the wider road network. It offers the rare opportunity to enjoy peaceful waterside living without becoming disconnected from everyday convenience.

The Location…

Bulbourne is a small and picturesque hamlet situated approximately one mile northeast of Tring, surrounded by attractive Chiltern countryside.

The Grand Union Canal runs through the heart of the area, providing beautiful walking routes and an abundance of wildlife. Nearby College Lake Nature Reserve offers further opportunities to enjoy the landscape and changing seasons.

Tring is a historic market town with a varied collection of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and public houses. The surrounding area provides schooling for all ages, including Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and Berkhamsted School.

Road connections are excellent, with convenient access to the A41 and onward routes to the M25 and national motorway network. Tring railway station provides regular services to London Euston, with journey times of approximately 36 minutes.

A Rare Opportunity…

Unique homes are often described as rare, but very few offer the atmosphere, outlook and way of life found at Lock 42.

With four bedrooms, versatile living accommodation, enchanting gardens and an irreplaceable position beside the Grand Union Canal, this is a home for those searching for something genuinely different.

Peaceful, inspiring and filled with character, Lock 42 is offered for sale with no onward chain.