A one-bedroom property in the picturesque town of Wirksworth, north of Derby, has hit the market for a staggering £225,000, drawing attention for its striking resemblance to a garden shed. This listing has sparked commentary on the state of the UK housing market, with one potential buyer quipping about the sheer madness of the price for what is 'essentially a shed'.
A Closer Look at the £225,000 Wirksworth Property
The 506 sq ft detached home is being sold by Bricks and Mortar estate agents and advertised on Rightmove. Despite its compact size, the listing markets it as a 'stylish detached home' with a bedroom and an additional mezzanine. The property features a cosy lounge and kitchen combined into a single room, equipped with an oven, hob, sink, washing machine, and refrigerator.
The bedroom leads directly to a bathroom, and a second sleeping area is located up a very steep spiral staircase. However, this mezzanine space is so confined that it is impossible to stand upright. The estate agent's description also highlights a brand new wood burner, modern living in a stone-built home, and an easy-maintenance courtyard garden that includes a summer house. The property comes with two off-road parking spaces at the front and a gated garden that can accommodate two more, positioning it as a perfect holiday let or a 'lock up and leave' second home.
The Stark Reality of the UK Housing Market
The price tag of this Wirksworth home presents a jarring contrast to the UK's most affordable areas. For instance, in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, properties can sell for as little as £33,000 – almost seven times less than this one-bedroom abode. This disparity underscores the vast differences in property values across the country. The current average UK house price stands at £298,000, making this Wirksworth listing a notable example of the market's extremities.
This is not an isolated incident in the UK's unique property scene. Last year, a tiny beach hut in Christchurch, Dorset, which cannot be slept in, went on the market for £110,000. That wooden cabin, measuring just 6ft by 13ft, commands its high price due to its desirable location at Avon Beach, demonstrating how location can drastically inflate value far beyond a structure's physical attributes.
