A three-bedroom thatched cottage located on the Sidmouth coastline in Devon is set to be auctioned on July 21 with a starting price of £250,000. The property, situated precariously close to the edge of a rapidly eroding cliff, lost part of its garden to a rockfall in 2024 and now stands approximately 40 feet from a steep drop overlooking a 400-foot precipice.
The cottage, listed through Bradley’s Estate Agents, occupies a portion of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its geological significance and fossil deposits. The coastline, composed primarily of soft red sandstone, is particularly susceptible to sudden and unpredictable erosion, which has led to multiple cliff falls in recent years. Local authorities have frequently closed nearby beaches as a precautionary measure against further collapses.
Recent drone footage reveals the extent of the cliff’s instability, showing a wooden gate situated near the crumbling edge and large sections of the red sandstone cliffs that have disintegrated. The 2024 rockfall that affected the property took place just days after a substantial section of the cliff fell at Jacob’s Ladder beach, located a few hundred yards away.
Bradley’s Estate Agents describes the property as a “unique detached thatched residence” offering panoramic sea and coastal views across East Devon. The auction listing also notes the cliff fall within the garden’s boundary and references a full cliff survey included in the legal documentation available to potential buyers.
The sale highlights ongoing challenges faced by homeowners along vulnerable coastlines, where natural erosion poses risks to both property and safety. The starting price reflects the unusual circumstances of owning a home in such a location, combining scenic appeal with significant geological hazards.