Apartment

Canalside Chic – Your London Escape Starts Here! WIFI and Airport Transfers

Photo gallery for Canalside Chic – Your London Escape Starts Here! WIFI and Airport Transfers

Interior
Property video
Living area
Lounge
Living area

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2465 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View in a map
Apsley Hemel Henmpstead, Hertfordshire
  • Place, The Snow Centre
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Place, Cineworld Hemel Hempstead
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Planet Ice
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, London (LHR-Heathrow)
    ‪40 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Canalside Chic – Your London Escape Starts Here! WIFI and Airport Transfers

Country calm meets city buzz in this stylish retreat.

Soak up waterside charm just outside London. Chic 1-bed, 2-bed stay with stunning views, cafes & walks on your doorstep. The perfect city break with a country twist!

With scenic canal views, cozy luxury, and London just a ride away, it is perfect for couples, solo travelers, or solo entrepreneurs looking for a serene escape with urban convenience.

Fully equipped to ensure your holiday is a home to home experience. The property has been popular with holiday travellers since 2018, short term corporate lets as well as family members
visiting relatives in the area.

The apartment is conveniently located for exploring the Hertfordshire countryside and the delights of central London. The apartment is close to the Harry Potter Studios and opposite the Grand Union Canal and a beautiful marina, and 15 minutes walk from Apsley Village with its boutique shops, restaurants and pubs for romantic evening dinners along the canal. Hemel Hempstead town centre, shopping mall and the historic city of St Albans and Watford are within easy reach.

Notes on accommodation:-
*Only the persons or the number of people mentioned in a confirmed booking can stay at the property.

*The apartment is not suitable for children, families or workmen or the disabled. Pets and smoking are not permitted.

*Guests are required to obtain the owner’s prior written consent before permitting any visitors to enter the property. The owner maintains strict policies to ensure adherence to the property listing conditions, including limitations on the maximum number of permitted overnight occupants.

*As we provide contactless access, a mandatory Meet and Greet visit by our property manager will take place within the first week of check-in. This visit is required to verify occupancy, ensure property security, and maintain standards.

Travel & Attractions:-
Central London - 25 mins away by direct train.

Warner Brothers Studio Tours (The making of Harry Potter) - 15 mins away by car.

Ascot - 60 mins away by car.

Hemel Hempstead Town Centre - 5 mins away by car.

The Snow Centre - 10 mins away by car.

Verulamium Park & Museum - 20 mins away.

The Rex Cinema - is 20 mins away by car.

History of Apsley Village:-
The construction of the trunk canal (later to be called the Grand Union Canal) between London and the Midlands through the valley in 1798 that began its industrial rise at the start of the 19th century. The canal gave an easy way of transporting the raw and manufactured products to and from the mills.

John Dickinson, the inventor of a new method of continuous papermaking, purchased an existing mill in the area in 1809. There is record of paper making already taking place nearby at this time. John Dickinson, the inventor of a new method of continuous papermaking, purchased an existing mill in the area in 1809. There is record of paper making already taking place nearby at this time. Streets of mill workers' terraced houses grew up adjacent to the mills. Housing for managers was built on the old Manor Farm, higher up the hill towards Felden, in the grounds of the Manor Estate, today known as Shendish Manor.

1938 – Apsley railway station was built with backing from John Dickinson Ltd as a way to bring more people to work at the Mills.

1853 – Charles Longman, heir to the publisher Longman's and partner to John Dickinson, bought the Shendish estate and built an impressive manor house.

St. Mary's Church (1871) stands above the modern Sainsbury's supermarket in Apsley. It was built to serve and inspire the workers of the paper mill that once occupied the supermarket site.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 12:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 27
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds, gather used towels and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Kindly empty the fridge of all food including the dustbins in the kitchen and bathroom before you leave. Clear out the dishwasher and kitchen sink of used plates, cutlery, cooking pots and wash them
Please strip the bed and place any used linen and towels inside the washing machine, Return all furniture and furnishings back to where you found them at the start of your rental.
Depart only with your belongings. Lock all windows securely with the window keys and leave keys in the white key box by the front door. When you leave, shut the apartment door firmly. Thank you!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Please read through the inventory provided at the apartment. Damaged or missing items affects the damage deposit.
Students, workmen, field contractors and builders cannnot rent the apartment. All rights reserved incluđing booking cancellation/eviction.
Please remember to read through the owner's inventory provided to you prior to your stay. Damaged / missing items affects the damage deposit return.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

Frequently asked questions

Is Canalside Chic – Your London Escape Starts Here! WIFI and Airport Transfers pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Canalside Chic – Your London Escape Starts Here! WIFI and Airport Transfers?

As of 7 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Canalside Chic – Your London Escape Starts Here! WIFI and Airport Transfers on 7 Jun 2026 start from £96, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Canalside Chic – Your London Escape Starts Here! WIFI and Airport Transfers?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Canalside Chic – Your London Escape Starts Here! WIFI and Airport Transfers?

Check-in begins at 12:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Canalside Chic – Your London Escape Starts Here! WIFI and Airport Transfers?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Canalside Chic – Your London Escape Starts Here! WIFI and Airport Transfers located?

Situated in a rural location, this apartment building is 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from The Snow Centre and within 3 miles (5 km) of Planet Ice and Vauxhall Road. Gadebridge Park and Boxmoor Golf Club are also within 3 miles (5 km). Apsley Station is only a 2-minute walk.

Reviews

7.6

Good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 4 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 4 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 4 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

6.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

2/10 Terrible

Manuel R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Uncomfortable

The apartment was nice, but definitely not without its problems. The seating in the living room was most uncomfortable and the rooms were always cold. Asked once for heating, but never received an answer so we used the heater in the kitchen. The host was at times unbearable as she kept telling us what to do or not to do repeatedly as if we were children. Through our multiple exchanges, she also mentioned that she was a lawyer. We were charged an excessive amount for a simple fix to her heated towel rail bracket and wall which we are disputed, through Vrbo. A plastic anchor and a little drywall was pulled from the wall that would cost a few pounds at most to repair. You could tell that each site of the anchors were poorly repaired before. One of the primary reasons we picked this place was for a dryer as advertised. There was no dryer and by the way, spin dry in a washer is not a dryer. Location was great as we got to see the country side. All in all, we did not feel comfortable and felt constantly intimidated by the host. We have rented places through various agencies throughout the years around the world and have never had to write a negative review. All in all we did not feel comfortable staying in this place. We would not stay here again and definitely would not recommend it.
Stayed 50 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Nov 2023
Thanks Manuel for your review which is not an accurate depiction of your experience. The property is my UK home, a second home. It is at the top of searches on all holiday rental platforms and is described as "exceptional". We have been full booked this year and also since the year 2020, the start of the pandemic. I was at the property for annual renovations and inspections and left 3 days prior to your arrival. If there is anything wrong with the property, I get it fixed. Overseas landlords and owners have property managers on the ground who are there to assist guests with any concerns. This is the first here in this review and in the last 15 years that we are hearing a guest comment on the seating and heating. The property is expensively decorated with quality furniture. We also provide good value with our rates for long term bookings. I recall you arrived in the height of British summer and were probably feeling cold due to your age. My property manager was on hand to assist, from my discussions with him, heating issues were never reported to him. I suspect as a retired and older couple, the apartment was just too modern for you. Communication between you and my property manager including myself was not as best as it should have been. Here are a couple of your positive messages you sent to me and my property manager during and after your stay, which conflicts with your review - "Yes we are having a good time", "We appreciate all that you have done during our stay in the apartment in Hemel Hempstead, UK". The towel rail issue occurred as you would not ask us how the switches in the bathroom work. We have never had issues with the towel rail. You admitted fault for the damage and due to the nature of the damage and to the surrounding wall, a new towel rail had to be installed resulting in a higher charge to you. VRBO was involved resolving the damage issues and made a decision in favour of the host and approved all charges. We also experienced the breaking of a new smart TV that we purchased prior to your arrival (TV screen cracked and smashed). The damage occurred only a few days after your arrival. We went to lengths to purchase a new and more expensive one from the shops during your stay, with no extra administration charges levied against you. In a nutshell, I honestly don't think the apartment was suitable for you, a little too modern for your generation. My personal profile on my VRBO account also shows I am a lawyer, it is public information. We wish you well, nevertheless, due to the damage caused in a short space of time and our experience, we will advise all hosts to be very careful taking you on board as a guest.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer A.

Beautifully decorated apartmemt, very comfortable and homely. Excellent location.

Very good, best holiday home in the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicolas S.

Facilities

Some utensils should be replaced and well as the way the heating is controlled
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2018
Archival

8/10 Good

Andy P.

Very good one bed flat self catered

Very nice neighbour hood and quick walk to the station for central London.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
We have had very good reviews on this property since 2008. We are on top of the list for luxury apartments at the prices that we offer in the region - Hemel Hempstead and Apsley Lock area, in addition to the convenience of travel to London and tourist sites in the area. Many thanks Andy, I am glad you enjoyed your stay. I look forward to welcoming you as a guest again in the near future. Regards, Jennifer Arkhurst (Owner)

About the host

Hosted by Jennifer Arkhurst

Host profile image
I am am an entrepreneur working within the legal profession in Dubai and Amazon Author on investing in vacation rental property.
I take pride in the properties that we rent out as holiday lets and like guests to have a "home to home" experience. This is evident from the carefully selected furniture, tasteful decor and the personal attention our managing agents in the UK and Cyprus offer to guests visiting the properties. We like to exceed expectations and see guests return after a pleasant and memorable holiday.

Why they chose this property

The property was initially purchased as a home and is now an investment and holiday home. The quiet village environment, the convenience of having restaurants, supermarkets, churches and DIY stores within a stone throw from the property will make this property very attractive to renters. It is also conveniently located and is 30 mins from London and Milton Keynes. Apsley village offers easy access to London by train and to the northern parts of the UK. There is a train station just 2 mins walk from the property.

What makes this property unique

Nice and quiet neighbourhood, occupied by several professionals who live in the area. Beneficial for receiving visitors as there are restaurants, pubs and hotel a short walking distance from the property. The canal that runs through the Apsley Lock development and the marina across the road from the property, gives the area its unique feature. The property is very popular with local and overseas renters and is often booked out months ahead and throughout the year.

Languages:

English, Arabic, Greek
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