September’s Unusual Auction Properties of the Month

Auction houses and websites are the perfect place to seek out exciting, unusual and characterful auction property from across the UK. 

Some buildings may be in need of renovation or conversion after serving an entirely different function, while others may have been freshly adapted or even newly built.

Here, we take a look at some of the more unique properties that are going under the hammer throughout the rest of September and into early October.

16th Century House with Chapel

(Sudbury, Suffolk)

Set in just under 6 acres of land, this picturesque 16th Century timber framed property will be auctioned by Brown & Co on 27th September.

It is set between Sudbury and Melford Country Park, and features five bedrooms and a number of outbuildings, along with a stunning 15th Century chapel!

While the property requires a significant amount of renovation and “making good” – something that will be more of a challenge than is typically the case due to its position on the National Heritage List – it is in an absolutely charming location with a huge amount of potential.

Brown & Co suggest that the building “would make a fine family home either with or without the annexe”.

Images reveal an enormous original fireplace and grand oak beams – just a few of the unique and attractive features of this property, which has a guide price of £775,000 – £825,000 plus fees.

Early Victorian Cornish Church

(Penzance, Cornwall)

Available through Clive Emson, this is a truly characterful building located in the heart of Penzance (Cornwall), not far from the harbour. The property is a former church, designed in the fashion of the Victorian gothic era.

There is a large amount of work required inside. The property’s pews are still in place, and its period features are clearly on display.

Cornwall Council has granted permission for the building to be divided into three separate dwellings set around a courtyard area. 

Two of these proposed properties would be three-bedroom units and the third would feature one bedroom with en-suite.

The old church currently features a guide price of £175,000 or above, plus fees, and will go under the hammer on 21st September 2022.

Former Banking Hall

(Sheffield, South Yorkshire)

Located in the heart of Sheffield, not far from the city’s cathedral, this freehold property has a net internal area of approximately 6,508 square feet and offers an excellent opportunity for investors and developers.

Bids will be taken online on 22nd September for this very unique building, which dates back to 1914 and features four floors – including a basement and mezzanine. The current guide price is £410,000 plus fees.

At present, the interior of the property is taken up with office space and other related features from its banking past. However, the building has a huge amount of potential to be converted into residential dwellings, depending on permissions and consents.

It is designed in Classical Revival style, and is Grade II listed – so developers must take into account the potential restrictions presented by this status.

Gated Manor with Coach House

(Marlow, Buckinghamshire)

This is a very exciting part-built development set in five and a half acres of land. Dating back to around 1700 and with a considerable amount of history to its name, Westhorpe House has now been divided into 31 apartments – ten of which are either sold or under offer.

There is also an office building on site that contains an additional 18 apartments that are as yet unfinished.

The property provides an excellent opportunity for any developer – particularly as the manor’s coach house also has planning permission for three additional houses.

Westhorpe House is being taken to auction by Savills on Tuesday 4th October and has a guide price of £6,000,000.

Pladda Island

(Arran, the Firth of Clyde, Scotland)

Yes, you read right. This is an entire uninhabited island available for auction via Knight Frank, with bidding closing at noon on 29th September.

Including a lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper’s cottage, along with a number of outbuildings and just under 30 acres of land, this impressive and very unusual property is situated 0.6 miles from Arran in the Firth of Clyde – around 31 miles from Glasgow. 

The cottage on the island requires a good amount of updating and upgrading, and contains five bedrooms and one bathroom.

There is also separate accommodation with a single bedroom and a shower room.

The island also features a bothy, a stone jetty, a boathouse and a bothy – and even comes with its own helipad!

The guide price for the property is currently set at a very competitive £350,000.

Gatehouse Lodge Astride a Private Road

(Tal-Y-Cafn, Colwyn Bay, Conwy)

Hugely characterful and superbly unique, this home – complete with a miniature turret – sits over the private road to the Penrhyn manor house, a short distance from the Conwy coast and Snowdonia National Park.

The property has two bedrooms and a lovely garden. It has Grade II listed status due to its link to eminent Welsh architect Herbert Luck North. The building was designed by the famous figure, and was built in 1927 in true Arts and Crafts style.

The main bedroom of the home sits directly above the road bridge – and the home also boasts a detached garage with its own upstairs flat.

Now in need of some renovation, the gatehouse has a guide price of between £175,000 and £200,000 and is available via Pugh Auctions.