A former police station in Swanage, Dorset, built in 1899, is currently listed for sale at £1.2 million. The historic building retains many original features, including the front desk, charge rooms, and a series of cells complete with wooden beds. Estate agents marketing the property have highlighted it as an “excellent redevelopment site,” noting it already has planning permission to be converted into six residential units: three three-bedroom flats and three four-bedroom homes.

The property is prominently positioned approximately one-third of a mile from Swanage town centre and its sandy beach. The coastal town lies at the eastern tip of the Isle of Purbeck, nestled between the Purbeck Hills, and is characterised by a blend of historic stone cottages and modern homes that complement the tranquil surroundings. To the south of the site is Durlston Country Park, acclaimed as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast and a UNESCO World Heritage coastline.

The building still echoes its early 2000s police station atmosphere, with original elements such as the staff kitchen remaining intact. This former police station joins a notable list of unique and unusual properties recently placed on the market across the UK.

Another remarkable property coming up for sale is the Cold War-era Royal Observer Corps post located on the edge of the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Built in 1957, this observation bunker was part of a nationwide network designed to provide an early warning system against nuclear attacks. The Dersingham post features two components: a concrete orlit hut above ground and a subterranean bunker accessed via a metal ladder descending 15 feet deep.

The bunker consists of two rooms, one serving as a toilet and the other as a combined observation and sleeping area. Furnishings included canvas chairs, folding tables, metal-framed bunk beds, and essential equipment such as a fixed survey meter, bomb power indicator, and ground zero indicator. The post was designed to house three uniformed volunteer observers, each responsible for specific monitoring tasks. This network of posts was operational from the 1950s until closures in 1991, with many of the sites subsequently demolished or sold privately.

The Dersingham Royal Observer Corps post, which has been in private ownership since 1992, is slated for auction on 8 May, with a guide price of £20,000 prior to fees. Auction House, the managing agent for the sale, has described the site as well-preserved, highlighting its historical significance connected to Cold War defence measures.

Source: Noah Wire Services