A historic derelict country cottage overlooking Watership Down has sold for £760,000 at auction - despite fears the roof could cave in.
The 400-year-old retreat, which comes with its own garden full of rabbits, was described as being 'not for the faint-hearted' due to the work required on the property - including replacing the stairs which could collapse at any moment.
Despite the big task, Elizabeth Cottage, at Crookham Common, near Newbury, Berkshire, was sold in a live stream auction by Brighton-based Auction House Sussex this afternoon - £140,000 above its starting price (£600,000).
Prospective buyers were told the stunning home - a dream from for any fan of Richard Adams' 1972 novel Watership Down - could be worth £1.2million once it received its much-needed upgrades.
The home had been empty for over a decade before it was sold on Tuesday, and is in such disrepair that it was deemed too unsafe to enter for an internal viewing.
As well as rabbits down the 'jungle' garden, there are also mice, rats, deer, badgers and foxes overlooking Watership Down, which can be seen around four miles away in neighbouring Hampshire.
A derelict country cottage overlooking Watership Down has sold for £760,000 - despite fears the roof could cave in
The 400-year-old retreat, which comes with its own garden full of rabbits, is 'not for the faint-hearted' and is too dangerous to enter because the stairs may collapse, prospective buyers were told
Elizabeth Cottage, at Crookham Common, near Newbury, Berkshire, had been uninhabited for more than a decade
Adam Hinchliffe, from Brighton-based Auction House Sussex, said anyone brave enough to take on the cottage and restore it would end up with a dream home.
The house has four bedrooms, its original 400-year-old timber beams as well as fireplaces and being set in stunning countryside. There is a one bedroom annex and 1.5 acres of land, much of which is overgrown.
It is also still close to the M4 and main train line into Paddington station in London, meaning commuters should not be put off.
Mr Hinchliffe said: 'Properties like this rarely come on to the market. This is in an exquisite location backing on to Crookham
