Norwich's 'Useless' Alleyway Seeks New Owner for Just £1
A seemingly worthless strip of land in Norwich is heading back to auction with a dramatically reduced guide price starting at just £1, after completely failing to attract any bids in its previous sale attempt.
The narrow plot, situated between Sunningdale and Greenways and forming part of the public footpath known as Haworth Way, was previously offered with a £500 guide price but found no takers. Undeterred, the seller has slashed the price, now setting a new guide range from a mere £1 up to £250.
Viral TikTok Fame Sparks Bizarre Bidding War
Interest in this peculiar property has skyrocketed recently, not through traditional estate agents, but via the viral power of TikTok. A video showcasing the alleyway, posted by user @housinghorrors, amassed nearly two million views, propelling the land into the national spotlight.
In the clip, the user expressed his bewilderment, asking, "This is so bizarre. What could you even do with this alleyway?" He tentatively suggested it might host a small coffee stand. The video ignited a firestorm of creative, and largely humorous, suggestions from viewers.
One commenter proposed transforming it into a miniature bowling alley, while another joked about installing a toll at each end. A particularly imaginative user wrote, "I’d dress up as a troll and just run up and down it all day asking folks to pay the toll." Amid the jest, a more practical idea emerged: using the space for promotional fencing for local businesses.
The Hidden Costs and Legal Realities of a £1 Purchase
Despite the tantalisingly low entry price, potential buyers are urged to look beyond the £1 tag. The auction comes with significant additional charges that could make the purchase far from a simple bargain.
Prospective purchasers must pay a mandatory non-refundable deposit of 10% of the final sale price, or a minimum of £5,000 if the winning bid exceeds that amount. On top of this, there are listing costs of £594 and an administration charge of £1,170.
Furthermore, the alleyway's status as a public footpath, Haworth Way, carries major legal implications. Vehicle access is already blocked by a bollard, and the land is subject to a public right of way. The auctioneers, Brown & Co, strongly advise any potential buyer to seek professional legal advice to fully understand the obligations tied to the property.
Brown & Co has emphasised that ownership entails legal responsibilities, primarily the upkeep of the footpath and the legal duty to ensure continued public access. This means the owner would be financially responsible for its maintenance while being unable to restrict the public from using it.
Online critics were quick to point out these pitfalls. One social media user noted, "At best, you’d be legally bound to continue paying money to maintain it." Another added, "You can’t do anything with it as it looks like public right of way," while a third described such plots as "largely useless except as a ransom strip."
How to Bid on Britain's Most Unusual Property
The online auction for the Norwich alleyway is scheduled to open at 11am on 17th November 2025, with bidding concluding the following day. This sale is part of a broader trend of unusual plots hitting the UK property market, which has recently included a £150,000 garage, £110,000 public toilets in London, and a two-bedroom flat in Cornwall also listed for £1.
For anyone tempted by this quirky investment, the message from professionals is clear: that £1 price tag is merely the starting point of a complex purchase with lasting legal and financial responsibilities.
