A cliff collapsed near a stunning property situated on the clifftop, just days before it failed to attract buyers at auction with a £250,000 guide price.
The three-bedroom thatched cottage has seen its value take a nosedive after losing a portion of its garden to a 'cliff fall' in 2024, leaving it just metres from a sheer drop.
The owners now face substantial losses, having bought the property for £695,000 in June 2011, with its normal market valuation ranging between £1.1million and £1.6million.
Recent Cliff Fall
However, just three days prior to the auction, another part of the cliff gave way on the beach beneath - creating a massive plume of red dust that swept across the shore.
Despite the listing highlighting the distinctive detached property as boasting "some of the finest panoramic sea and coastal views" in Britain, its vulnerable location meant it failed to meet the reserve price and remains on the market.
The dwelling on Sidmouth's Devon coastline now stands approximately 40ft (12m) back from the cliff edge, overlooking a 120m drop.
Safety Concerns
Concerns about continued erosion intensified following the latest incident. The landslip occurred at Jacob's Ladder beach in Sidmouth at approximately 3pm on Saturday (July 18) while families, bathers and dog walkers were enjoying the sunny coast.
No-one was thought to have been hurt, but the incident mirrors the frequent cliff collapses in the area in recent years, with the council routinely forced to shut beaches beneath.
The moment was captured by Kirsty McGregor, who recalled: "I was on the beach with my seven year old son and husband. At the time they were about 100 metres away in the opposite direction exploring the rock pools.
"There was an almighty crash/clap sound, which I initially thought was thunder. it made me look up which was when I saw the huge plume about 200-300 metres to my right.
"There were some people very close to the point at which the dust and rubble fell and pretty much everyone on the beach turned to look. I have heard that a few people were very much covered in the orange dust but as far as I'm aware no injuries were sustained."
Property History
During the 2024 incident, the fall which claimed part of the property happened just days after a substantial section of cliff gave way several hundred metres along, also at Jacob's Ladder Beach.
Aerial images reveal a well-kept, enclosed garden with a timber gate opening directly onto the perilous cliff edge. They also show extensive portions of the Jurassic Coast cliffs, renowned for their fossils, which have given way.
The coastline consists of soft, unstable red sandstone, making it susceptible to sudden and unpredictable failures.
Auction Details
The property was marketed by Bradley's Estate Agents and went to auction on 21 July with a guide price of £250,000. The property drew interest from three bidders, with the highest offer reaching £249,000.
It is believed the owner is now considering offers and may put it back up for auction at a future date.
The listing also highlighted that the area has been affected by coastal erosion, noting: "The property has in recent years suffered a cliff fall within the very far boundary of the garden. A full cliff survey can be seen within the legal pack."
"Occupying a spectacular cliff-top position, this unique detached thatched residence enjoys some of the finest panoramic sea and coastal views in East Devon, stretching along the Jurassic Coast."
The listing continued: "Designed and built in the 1960s for renowned novelist R.F. Delderfield, this distinctive home features an imaginative circular design that maximises natural light and captures the breathtaking outlook from many of the principal rooms."
"Beautifully presented throughout, the accommodation includes a bespoke integrated kitchen, an impressive sitting room with French doors opening onto terraces, a versatile dining room/bedroom three, two generous first-floor bedrooms, a contemporary bathroom and an en-suite."
"The mature landscaped gardens provide exceptional privacy and seclusion, with terraces, ornamental pond, lawns and colourful planting all enjoying stunning coastal vistas. A garage and extensive driveway parking complete this rare opportunity to acquire one of Sidmouth's most iconic and beautifully positioned homes."
