An exquisite mansion built in 1905, located in the historic village of Longstanton in Cambridgeshire, is currently up for auction with a price range of £100,000 to £125,000. Although it may appear to be a great deal, potential buyers must have deep pockets and a generous amount of patience to transform this derelict building into a comfortable family home. Resting on over an acre of land with various outbuildings, this abandoned Edwardian masterpiece offers immense potential.
The mansion, known as Redlands, was originally constructed for a seed merchant and then sold to a stockbroker who unfortunately lost his fortune in the infamous 1929 stock market crash. Redlands once boasted 16 rooms, including eight bedrooms and servants’ quarters. The grand entrance features stone steps leading to expansive reception areas adorned with intricate mosaic floors, massive fireplaces, and an impressive cellar.
Cheffins Auctioneers in Cambridge will be handling the sale of this incredible property on September 27. Despite only the walls remaining intact, Redlands is a testament to the grandeur it once held. Previously occupied until the 1950s, the mansion was later used for agricultural storage and eventually fell into disrepair due to multiple fires. Today, it stands neglected and in need of a complete overhaul.
In its prime, Redlands possessed a first-floor balcony that ran the length of the property, a full-sized tennis lawn, a charming orchard, and extensive gardens. After changing hands multiple times, a devastating fire, suspected to have been caused by an electric heater, engulfed the mansion in 1956, destroying the interior and much of the roof.
Currently owned by Keith Tyler, who inherited it from his father, Redlands holds sentimental value for the family. Mr. Tyler’s father, a skilled carpenter and joiner, initially purchased the property in 1959 for a mere £900. He intended to renovate it but was unable to fulfill his dream due to age and passed away in 2007 at the age of 100. Throughout the years, the family maintained the grounds and harvested fruit from the orchard that was stored in the cellar. Mr. Tyler reminisces about his childhood spent in the property, playing in the gardens and exploring the vast house.
The mansion experienced two more fires, with the most destructive one occurring in 1996 and resulting in the destruction of internal floors, most rooms, and the remaining original roof. Mr. Tyler expresses his hope that someone will fall in love with the allure of Redlands and restore it to its former glory. Currently overgrown with an imposing beech hedge, towering trees penetrating the interior, and head-high brambles, the property is in need of significant clearing and restoration.
Redlands sits just outside the charming village of Longstanton, which offers a range of convenient amenities such as a supermarket, post office, doctor’s and dentist’s surgeries, a recreation ground, and several pubs. The property is accessed via a private bridge, which unfortunately has been blocked. Mains electricity, gas, and water connections have also been capped off since Redlands was removed from the rating list in 1996 due to extensive fire damage.
Auctioneer Ian Kitson of Cheffins emphasizes that this is an extraordinary opportunity for potential buyers to recreate the historic property or create something new in this sought-after location. Despite the clearing required, Redlands is a captivating property situated in an idyllic setting, offering a truly unique opportunity for the right individual.
An additional two acres of land adjacent to Redlands will be offered at the same auction, with an estimated price range of £50,000 to £60,000. The auction will be held on September 27 at 2pm online through Cheffins’ platform.
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