You could own a 900-year-old hermit’s CAVE hidden away in woodland for just £60,000 – but there’s a catch

A CENTURIES-OLD cave hidden away in woodland could be yours for just £60,000 - but it comes with a catch.

Known as the Hermitage, the carved stone home is said to have been sculpted from rock by a baker from Derby called Cornelius, who lived there by himself in the 1100s.

(The cave is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and on sale as part of almost five acres of mature woodland being marketed by W T Parker of Chesterfield.Credit: W T Parker/Triangle News)

(Hermit Cornelius carved the cave after a religious dream which told him to move their for a quiet life of prayer.Credit: W T Parker/Triangle News)

This comes after a former church was listed on RightMove for 25k.

The simple cave has openings for a door and windows, and a cross engraved on one wall, with centuries old graffiti carved on the outside.

The description on RightMove says the land roughly follows the perimeter of the woods, and includes several species of tree and flowering plants.

It describes the listing as: “A unique opportunity to acquire a mature woodland with a local historical landmark.

“The woodland may be of interest to land conservation groups and developers/companies wanting to increase biodiversity net gain or off-set carbon footprint.”

It then adds that fixtures and appliances referenced haven't been checked and that any rights of way or existing covenants should be verified before the sale.

It is believed that cave dweller Cornelius had a religious dream in which he was instructed by the Virgin Mary to go to the Dale Abbey in Derbyshire to live a life of quiet contemplation and prayer.

Upon his arrival, he found nothing but a marshland in the valley bottom with steep sandstone banks on the southern side.

There, he excavated a home in one of the sandstone banks and began his worship in complete seclusion.

Cornelius later built a stone chapel at the site, thought to be one of the country’s smallest churches at just 26ft by 25ft, and his well can also be seen at the spot.

One who saw it advertised online said: “Totally envious of who bought this. I so want to be a hermit!!”

(The Hermitage and associated woodland.Credit: W T Parker/Triangle News)

Ref: You could own a 900-year-old hermit’s CAVE hidden away in woodland for just £60,000 – but there’s a catch