An entire private beach made a splash when it was snapped up at auction for £70,000.
It was one of 27 lots listed for sale by Clive Emson, the regional land and property auctioneers, and was keenly fought over at the sale.
The two acres of beach and frontage sit within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Bigbury-on-Sea, Kingsbridge.
It is an incredibly rare thing to go under the hammer and the buyer now owns the land down to the mean high water mark.
The beach looks out to the famous art deco Burgh Island Hotel, which with its famous Sea Tractor has featured prominently in a variety of small and big screen productions, including an episode of Lovejoy.
The hotel was also a favourite holiday destination before the war of such well known people as Agatha Christie and Noel Coward.
Agatha Christie is said to have written And Then There Were None and Evil Under The Sun while staying at the hotel during the 1930s.
The stretch of beach is popular with fishermen, wave-riders, day-trippers, rock-poolers, holiday-makers and those out to admire the beauty of the area.
Prior to the sale there were those investigating what commercial opportunities there were, but also many who just wanted their own slice of the Devon coast.
The land included a near-level rock shelf that might be utilised in some way, should the correct consents be obtained.
The two acre (0.75 hectare) beach is a mixture of sand and rock and adjoins the car park that serves the vicinity.
Graham Barton, auctioneer and regular on BBC1’s Homes Under The Hammer, said: “You can count on one hand the number of beaches I’ve dealt with in over 30 years.
“And that was reflected in the interest shown with lots of enquiries before the sale.
“It was a great result although bidding was cautious at first with everyone looking at everyone else.
“But when it got to about £35-38,000 it became more frenetic and really took off. In the end we were left with two bidders who fought each other to the end.
“The beach has a rock shelf that might be utilised for beach huts or commercial uses such as ice cream sales as long as the correct permissions are obtained.
“Some of those interested just wanted a beach that they could call their own.
“I’m sure the buyer will be hoping for a long, hot summer so that they can enjoy their purchase.”
The Clive Emson auction took place at the St Mellion International Resort, St Mellion, Cornwall.
The next sale takes place at the same venue on June 13.
