Curious Buyers Send Cornwall Auction Prices Soaring

Former WI hall, Redruth house, and Helston chapel among lots snapped up as bidders compete across county

A former Women’s Institute hall in St Austell has been sold at auction for £35,000 after drawing the attention of bidders keen to secure the detached property. (Thursday 1st May)

Cornwall Council instructed the sale of the building in Robartes Gardens, which carried a freehold guide of £25,000 to £30,000. Featuring a principal room, kitchen, store room and cloakroom with WC, the hall was previously used as a WI building and more recently as an adult education centre.

Auctioneer David Henwood said: “This single-storey building drew the interest of bidders. The new owner has a number of options for the property, subject to all necessary consents.”

The sale was part of the third auction of 2025 by Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers, one of the UK’s top five property auctioneers.

Bargain in Holmbush

Elsewhere in St Austell, Cornwall Council also instructed the sale of a road and footpath at Stennack Road, Holmbush Industrial Estate. It went under the hammer for just £180.

A freehold two-storey commercial building in Fore Street, St Austell town centre, was sold prior to auction. The property includes an open-plan trading area, WCs, four offices and a store room.

Redruth Bidding War

In Redruth, an end-terrace house with land triggered fierce bidding before selling for £108,000. Listed with a guide price of £50,000 to £60,000, the three-bedroom property in Raymond Road measured about 0.05 hectares (0.12 acres) and featured a back garden, land to the side and off-road parking provision to the rear.

David Henwood said: “The land and off-road parking were among the key features which meant the property attracted competitive bidding.”

Launceston Lots Find Buyers

A four-bedroom detached bungalow called Boslowen in Ridgegrove Lane, Launceston, sold for £205,000. Auction Appraiser James Lofthouse said: “With flexible accommodation, off-road parking and three garages, this property offers great potential for its new owner in a semi-rural location on the fringes of Launceston.”

Freehold land to the rear of Sportsmans Close in Treburley, near Launceston, sold for £36,500, well above its guide of £5,000 plus. The parcel, which includes a road and extends to about 0.28 hectares (0.69 acres), was placed for sale by Cornwall Council.

Truro Area Sees Strong Demand

A semi-detached property arranged as two flats in Trevose Road sold for £101,000, more than double its guide of £45,000 to £50,000. Each flat has two bedrooms.

In Carnon Downs, freehold land between a house and garages, guided at £5,000 plus, eventually fetched £54,500 after 85 bids. The parcel measures 0.02 hectares (0.04 acres) and was sold by Cornwall Council. David Henwood said: “This parcel of land drew incredibly strong bidding.”

Also in the area, Cornwall Council sold land in New Street, Falmouth. The parcel, measuring about 0.02 hectares (0.04 acres), has harbour views and is located among harbour properties. It sold for £25,500 against a guide of £10,000 plus.

Chapel Near Helston Changes Hands

A former church building known as The Old Chapel at Sithney, near Helston, sold for £165,000. Listed with a guide price of £140,000 to £160,000, the extensive property boasts sizeable gardens, a greenhouse, an unfinished outbuilding, a former outside WC, parking and accommodation spread across four levels.

David Henwood said: “The new owner has seized a rare opportunity to acquire a former ecclesiastical building. There is potential for reconfiguration or sub-division, subject to all necessary consents.”

The fourth auction of the year by Clive Emson Auctioneers concludes on Thursday 12th June, with bidding live 48 hours beforehand. Lot entries close on 19th May and the catalogue will be online from 22nd May.