A centuries-old cave network in rural England has hit the market for the price of a home deposit.
The Frodsham Caves are set among green fields and hills on the outskirts of Frodsham, a small town halfway between Liverpool and Manchester.
Nestled beneath a rocky outcrop, the caves are hard to spot from a distance.
The only hint of what lies beneath the hillside are two dark hollows that stare out like a pair of beady eyes.
Little is known about the caves’ history, but local historians believe they were carved out by hand several hundred years ago by sand miners.
It’s understood the practice was popular in the area during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The commonplace origin story did not stop Victorian-era villagers telling spooky legends about the caves.
Some people believe the caves were home to fairies, while others claim the caves were once used by giants as a site for human sacrifice, according to the 19th-century botanist James F Robinson.
Possible reminders of the mythical time are found in patches of luminous green moss called ‘goblin gold’ spotted in the caves’ damp crevices.
Today, the caves are a popular hangout for local kids, as evidenced by the graffiti and campfire ashes found on the site.
The Frodsham Caves are scheduled to head to auction with a guide price of £55,000 ($111,695) plus fees.
Just over three hectares of land are included in the sale.
The listing by Town & Country Property Auctions bills the property as a “unique investment opportunity”.
“Access to the site is at the own risk of prospective bidders,” the listing warns.
“The auctioneers are not aware of any services being connected to the land. Prospective bidders are asked to make their own enquiries in this regard.”
The Frodsham Caves and accompanying land will go to online auction on 10 December.
