21st May 2025

The most interesting properties sold by auction

Just like any auction house, property auctions are full of hidden gems and unusual finds. Not just a place for residential homes and office spaces to be sold, you’ll often find an array of interesting lots that shine with potential for the right investor. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite properties that have been sold over recent years, from toilet blocks to nuclear bunkers. Why not keep reading to see what kinds of things you can find at auction and perhaps inspire your next project?

1. Shropshire land with permission to build 27 homes

A prime development opportunity in Shropshire, this generous parcel of land previously belonged to The Craven Arms, and was formerly home to the Temperance Hall Hotel at the junction of Station Drive and the A49 Shrewsbury Road, close to the town centre and next to the train station. It came with planning permission to construct 27 homes, making it an attractive prospect for developers looking to expand in a desirable area.​ A dream for developers in the charming Shropshire countryside with the potential to reshape a whole community.

2. The entirety of Cross Street, Market Drayton

An extraordinary offering where an entire street was up for grabs, providing a rare chance for investors or developers to acquire multiple properties in one go, potentially transforming the area or generating substantial rental income.​ Multiple terraced homes made it easy for investors who wanted to scale up quickly, the six lots consist of four one bedroomed terraced houses and a further two development opportunities with full planning permission for conversion to homes.

3. The Epsilon Nightclub

Once a bustling nightlife venue, this former nightclub in Leicester presented a unique redevelopment opportunity, allowing buyers to reimagine the space for residential or commercial use in a vibrant city setting.​ The large commercial property was sold as a well-equipped nightclub with all fixtures and fittings included, meaning it was ready to trade straight away. Alternatively, the property had planning permission for its redevelopment into 14 apartments, two retail shop units and gardens. Ultimately, it was redeveloped into a new Shisha Bar & Lounge after being bought.

4. Former gatehouse set to become spectacular eco-home

The charming Gate House, Barton Lane, Attenborough, is rich in history but sitting as a derelict railway building. It received planning permission after plans were drawn up for it to be transformed into an eco-friendly residence, blending traditional architecture with sustainable living solutions.​ The structure has all the charm of a period building but is ready to be brought into modernity with sustainability in mind. 

Next door to the site is Attenborough Nature Reserve, a wetland site of special scientific interest (SSSI) run by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and featuring indoor and outdoor education centres, a café, nature trails and bird hides.

5. Unique WW2 control tower ripe for a grand design

A relic from World War II, the Control Tower Farm, North Scarle Road in Wigsley is a three-storey property in large grounds, which offered a distinctive canvas for those inspired by ‘Grand Designs,’ with potential to convert it into a one-of-a-kind home steeped in history.​ For the right investor this derelict World War II control tower with commanding views and bags of history could be turned into a jaw-dropping home.

Commissioned by Winston Churchill and opened in 1942 as a satellite for RAF Swinderby, the control tower and airfield played a vital role in training bomber crews and were used for ‘circuits and bumps’ training up until April 1958, before the site was sold off by the Ministry of Defence in 1960.

6. Airport parking space bringing annual rent of £2,000

An unconventional investment, this airport parking space next to Gatwick generated a steady annual income of £2,000, appealing to those seeking low-maintenance, high-yield opportunities.​ Not your typical auction listing, this little patch of tarmac near the airport quietly pulls in around £2,000 a year in rental income. A hands-off investment with serious return-on-space, it’s ideal for anyone looking to start small.

7. Toilet block for sale with no chain

An unusual listing, this standalone toilet block in Darley Dale, Derbyshire, invites creative minds to repurpose the space, perhaps into a quirky café or tiny home.​ While it may raise a few eyebrows, it was a blank canvas for the adventurous to make a steady annual income from the project after being sold for £68,500.

8. Nuclear bunker

Located in the Cumbrian Dales near Sedbergh, this 1958 nuclear bunker, built by the Royal Observer Corps, was auctioned with a guide price of £15,000–£20,000 but actually sold for £48,000. Fully intact and featuring a gravelled drive and phone line, it attracted interest from history enthusiasts and those seeking a unique retreat. ​The bunker is secure, dry and still in its original condition (including body bags, gas marks and even a red telephone box) making this a real find for the right investor.

Most of the sites were decommissioned and sold off in the early 1990s as the threat of nuclear war lessened after the fall of the Soviet Union, and we have been informed that many have been bought up by telecom companies for use as mobile phone masts due to their favourable signal locations. – But with a creative vision and ambition, could it be a one-of-a-kind property?

9. Historical Welsh chapel with views of Snowdonia

Capel Bethmaaca, a chapel near Bangor, once used by the Congregationalists of Glasinfryn dating back to 1836, offered post-card views of Snowdonia. With a starting price of £40,000, it presented a remarkable opportunity to convert a piece of history into a unique residence, subject to planning permission. It measures around 10.4m x 14m with a separate vestry room of around 9.2m x 8m, and outside there is a wide, gated forecourt with a pathway leading to the side of the building, meaning it could be transformed into a unique residential space.

10. Derbyshire Holiday Home

The Old Chapel in Wheatcroft, near Matlock, a 16th-century chapel converted into a holiday cottage, was listed with a guide price of £95,000+. Featuring original architectural elements and set in the picturesque Derbyshire countryside, it was an ideal investment for the holiday let market, and sold for £109,000. Full of rustic charm, the Old Chapel is suited to the holiday let market as it is just a stones throw away from local attractions such as the Peak National Park, Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, Hardwick Hall and Carsington Water, Matlock, Matlock Bath and the Crich Tramway Museum. 

11. Development Site in Little Aston

‘House on the Hill’ at 61 Rosemary Hill Road, a 17-bedroom property on a 0.72-acre site in the prestigious area of Little Aston, came with planning permission for a 22-bedroom care facility, but would be suited to a wide range of uses subject to planning permission. With a guide price in excess of £700,000, it was a rare opportunity in a location known for its exclusivity in one of the Midlands’ most desirable postcodes.

Got an interesting property to sell?

If you’re interested in selling a unique property by auction, we can guide you through every step of the way. Whether it’s a charming home steeped in history or a derelict building that can offer more to the local area, we can help sell your lot. Book your free sales valuation today and get started on the auction process, or contact us if you want more guidance.