If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a grand Victorian home by the seaside, this one might just stop you in your tracks.
On paper, it’s everything you could want in a heritage property: multiple floors, spacious rooms, and classic period features.
And yes, it comes with a price tag that reflects the charm—and a few unexpected quirks.
A sprawling, buttercup-yellow mansion in the seaside town of St Leonards-on-Sea is currently on the market.
It boasts eight bedrooms, multiple living spaces and all the period details you’d expect—bay windows, timber floors and ornate fireplaces.
The asking price? £675,000 (about $1.4 million AUD).
A hidden surprise awaits
The listing, by Leadendall Estates, paints the property as a ‘spacious fixer-upper’ perfect for families, investors or those chasing a unique development opportunity.
And with the seaside just a short stroll away and London a two-hour train ride up the road, it’s easy to see why buyers are intrigued.
But if you take a closer look—especially at the bathroom—you’ll quickly realise this home hides more than just old wallpaper.
What’s behind that bathroom door?
The ground-floor bathroom is, to put it politely, unsettling. Rather than a cosy or spa-like retreat, it looks more like something out of a prison.
Exposed pipes line the walls. A single fluorescent light provides the only illumination.
The basin appears to be assembled from sheet metal and battered timber, and mildew stains the tiles.
But the real clincher? A sign on the wall that reads: ‘WARNING: Cell alarm system not in operation.’
It’s the kind of room that makes you pause and wonder if you’ve stumbled onto the set of a British crime drama.
To make things even more curious, the listing doesn’t mention the room at all.
Instead, it focuses on the property’s grander elements, seemingly hoping buyers will view this particular space as a creative opportunity—or maybe skip it altogether.
Character or cautionary tale?
Some might see it as an off-putting flaw. Others might view it as a talking point with renovation potential.
After all, older homes often come with stories, and perhaps this one is just waiting for the right owner to give it a proper ending.
With some imagination and a lot of elbow grease, the bathroom could be transformed into something far more inviting—and maybe even luxurious.
For the right buyer, this odd feature could be the very thing that makes the home unforgettable.
Have you ever come across a home with a truly bizarre feature? Would this bathroom send you running, or would you take it on as a challenge?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear your stories and perspectives.
Also read: Home or hotel? $5m Pinterest dream hits the market
