A three-bedroom thatched cottage perched on a cliff edge near Jacob’s Ladder beach in Sidmouth, Devon, has seen its asking price dramatically reduced following recent cliff collapses near the property. The home was put up for auction last Tuesday with a guide price of £250,000 but failed to reach this figure, receiving a top bid of £249,000 from one of three interested parties.

The property, originally built in the 1960s for novelist R.F. Delderfield, is noted for its distinctive circular design that maximizes natural light and offers expansive panoramic views of the sea and surrounding coastline. Prior to recent events, the home was valued between £1.1 million and £1.6 million, significantly higher than its current asking price.

The sharp decline in value follows a series of cliff falls in the area, including a notable incident in 2024, which resulted in the loss of part of the cottage’s garden and left the building situated just 12 meters away from a 120-meter drop. The owners previously paid £695,000 for the property in 2011, underscoring the severe financial impact the geological instability has had on its worth.

Most recently, last Saturday, visitors at the beach witnessed a substantial rock collapse, which created a cloud of red dust near the home. Kirsty McGregor, who was at the beach with her family, described hearing an "almighty crash" that initially sounded like thunder. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, although some individuals were close to the point where the debris fell.

Local authorities have frequently closed nearby beaches due to similar rockfalls, emphasizing ongoing safety concerns in the area.

The current owner is reportedly open to receiving offers and may consider relisting the property for auction in the future. The collapse incidents and the resulting safety risks continue to pose challenges for the home’s marketability and valuation.