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Cave house dating back to 1511 up for auction

Ben Sidwell,Kidderminsterand
Elliot Ball,West Midlands
News imageBBC A man and woman stand side by side. The man's arm is around the woman's shoulder. She is wearing a light blue fleece and has short blonde hair and black square glasses. He is swearing a navy blue sweatshirt and has short grey hair.BBC
Martin Kendall acquired the cave house from his grandfather in 1963

A house carved into sandstone more than 500 years ago and set within huge landscaped gardens has been put up for auction.

The Worcestershire property, known as Rock Cottage, dates back to 1511 and has been a private family home for more than 60 years.

Current owners Martin and Lorraine Kendall said their home feels "quite normal" to live in a cave, describing the Kidderminster dwelling as "very cosy".

The auction house has set a minimum opening bid of £525,000 with bids set to begin from 10:00 GMT on 11 March before the deadline closes at 16:00 the same day.

Martin Kendall said: "It's lovely and cosy, it's lovely and warm, and in the summer time it's lovely and cool.

"I don't think there's anywhere quite like it in the UK."

News imageThe living room with has all white walls with cave-like texture. There are two chairs with leopard print in front of a large flat screen television.
A minimum opening bid of £525,000 has been set by the auctioneers

The current owner acquired the property from his grandfather in 1963, a decorated World War One veteran.

Since then the house has been maintained and improved over decades, including an updated 18th Century frontage.

News imageThe kitchen also has white walls with a cave-like texture to them. The hob and cupboards are inside a slightly smaller section which has been carved into the wall.
The Kidderminster property dates back to the 16th Century

The eventual buyer of the property, which comes with 2.5 acres (one hectare) of land, will be able to enjoy panoramic views of rolling valleys and woodland, as well as three ornamental ponds, two waterfalls, and a large fish pond with carp and sturgeon.

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