THIS adorable home looks like a regular cutesy cottage, but a centuries-old secret hides at the bottom of the garden.
Saint Ann’s Cottage on Castle Hill Road, Hastings, is a Grade II five-bedroom abode with a little something extra included.
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Not only does the newly refurbished 18th-century cottage boast sea views, it offers a centuries-old cave for your enjoyment.
The 184 square feet dwelling is located at the end of the property, spanning the entire width of the garden.
In the back yard, four Doric columns mark the entrance to the cave with two larch archways for you to wander through.
A smaller arch in the centre of the appears like a small window with vines cascading down the front.
The property’s vendor said: “It’s a natural cave.
“To our knowledge, it’s been there hundreds of years.”
The cave cuts into the sandstone cliffs and as you walk in through the left arch you enter a small space connected to a a circular chamber on the right.
Some of the walls display carvings, including an embellished border around one of the archways, a botanical motif, and diamond-patterned tiling.
Previous owners have fitted lights into the cave which could make it a perfect relaxation in summer.
The vendor added: “It would be great for a dining or entertaining area.
“It’s got lights, power, it could be whatever you want to make it, depending on how creative you want to be.”
Caves, according to the vendor, are “absolutely” a selling point: “It has had a lot of interest.”
Hastings has a range of other sandstone caves in the area and local myths suggest they could have been used by smugglers.
They’re a popular tourist attraction and one of the more famous caves was used as a hospital, an air-raid shelter and even a ballroom.
The quirky double-fronted home is being sold with Rush, Witt & Wilson for £600,000 and apparently is already proving popular.
It was purchased for £350, 000 in March 2024 and has since been refurbished, with owners careful to keep the historical character that makes it unique.
Features like the wooden floorboards, fireplaces and sash windows have been kept with the other parts of the house revamped.
The vendor thinks it would suit someone that has some creative flair, or who appreciates the nature of the house, being such a grand and unique period property.
For English and History buffs, a blue memorial plaque can be seen outside the property to commemorate Scottish author and poet George MacDonald
He once lived at the quaint Saint Ann’s Cottage in the 1860s, moving from London for health reasons.
Macdonald was known or his poetry and fairy tales, and mentored mentor of Alice in Wonderland writer Lewis Carroll.
“It’s steeped in history, they’re not building them like this anymore,” the vendor added.
“It’s a very unique opportunity.”
The 1,644 square foot property spans three floors with five double bedrooms – those in the top two bedrooms are treated to a luxurious sea view.
It stands just a few hundred metres from Hastings Beach with a few family friendly amenities nearby.
On the way to the beach you can wander past Hastings Castle, Miniature Golf, and the Hastings Lookout View point.
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