London's autumn auction season kicks off

For the more eccentric buyer looking for a challenge, lots up for sale in the London auction rooms include a Second World War look-out post in the cliffs above Dover, a castle in Kent and even a football stadium (where Ebbsfleet United play).

For the less eccentric home hunter bargains across the board include new-builds, handsome Victorian family houses, repossessions, country cottages, seaside apartments, inner-city wrecks, plots of land, short-lease mansion flats and the biggest bunch of “ground rent” (see this week's Money article) investments to come to auction for many years.

A grand bid

A listed Georgian gem in London’s legal heartland is likely to attract owner-occupiers and developers.

The 6,500sq ft town house, recently used as offices, overlooks Holborn’s Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the capital’s largest public square. “It could be turned back into a spectacular six-bedroom, six-reception room family home,” says Robin Cripp of auction firm Andrews and Robertson. “This one also has the bonus of planning permission to extend at the rear of the building.”

A first-time opportunity

Housing charity Peabody is selling mansion flats in Greencoat Place, Westminster (guide price; £250,000). Also for sale at the Savills auction is a one-bedroom mansion flat in Hay Hill, Mayfair, with 66 years remaining on the lease (guide price; £575,000). Two river chalets are on Wheatley’s Eyot, a small island by Sunbury-on-Thames (guide prices; £120,000 and £135,000).

Auctioneers Clive Emson is quoting a guide price of £90,000 for a Second World War look-out post, and £380,000 for the Stonebridge Road football stadium.

Auction dates

Savills: 14 September
Allsop: 15 September
Clive Emson: 21 September
Andrews and Roberston: 22 September