Bruerne’s Lock restaurant, which overlooks the Grand Junction Canal in the Northamptonshire village of Stoke Bruerne near Towcester, has changed hands.

It’s a first-time restaurant buy for the new owner, Doug Palfreeman from St Albans.

The large, detached, red-brick Georgina property is located beside the top lock of a flight of seven working locks.

It has served in the past as a Post Office, a general store and a surgery. It now attracts tourists, families, walkers and canal enthusiasts.

The 80-seat restaurant is made up of a cellar bar, a first-floor dining room and alfresco dining for 24 guests. There is also three-bedroom accommodation for the owners.

The Milton Keynes office of Christie + Co sold the leasehold – which runs to June 2015 – off an asking price of £125,000 on behalf of Steven and Heather Bott. Rent is currently set at £15,500 per annum.

By Angela Frewin