This seven-bedroom Victorian detached house in Priory Gardens, Birkdale, Southport looks perfectly normal from the outside – but a hidden feature inside has left house hunters on Reddit completely stunned
House hunting can reveal all sorts of surprises. A property might appear completely ordinary from the street, but there could be any manner of surprises – good and bad – inside.
From dubious décor decisions and appliances which haven’t been updated since the 1950s to concealed secret chambers, you never quite know what lies beyond the front door of your potential dream property. One home in Southport, Merseyside, currently on sale for offers over £799,995 boasts an incredible surprise tucked away inside.
The house in Priory Gardens, Birkdale, is a handsome Victorian detached seven-bedroom residence. Images on the Rightmove advert showcase stunning wood-panel flooring, a conservatory leading onto an expansive private garden, generous bedrooms, and a hot tub.
However, there’s one feature that might take you by surprise while browsing the photographs. A Reddit user shared a link to the advert on the platform with the headline: “When you think you have seen everything.” They continued: “Absolutely stunning property and not strange at all until pic 27.”
The unexpected feature is tucked away on the first-floor landing outside the master bedroom, which contains a small vestibule – which has been transformed by the current owners into their personal ball pool. At last, the fantasy of recreating 90s children’s game show Fun House in your own home can become a reality, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Reddit users were left gobsmacked by the discovery. One commented: “My dog would love that!” Another posted: “Can’t believe this hasn’t sold yet! Maybe the ball pit is a non-negotiable.”
A third chimed in: “It’s such a bizarre but beautiful find. I’m amazed it hasn’t been snapped up yet.”
While another gushed: “Be still my beating heart. I absolutely adore this house. Even the ball pool. I’ll keep it.”
One user added: “Just lovely, and that ball pool is fun for all! A house that perfectly manages the compromise between smart and looking like an actual home.”
Another recalled a similar feature from another property. “My friend used to live in a house that was split into upstairs and downstairs flats,” they explained.
“They had the top floor with a staircase that went down a little bit to nowhere, because it was blocked off to separate the flats. They filled it with ball pit balls like this.”
The property is being marketed as a leasehold by Southport-based Bailey Estates. The Rightmove listing states: “Situated close to the heart of Birkdale village, you would be forgiven for missing this hidden gem of a house as you passed by.
“Take a closer look however and you’ll discover the oasis of calm that is Priory Gardens; a secluded cul-de-sac setting that feels more like an enchanted woodland glade. Nestled in the corner, hidden from the road, stands this striking Victorian property and large private gated driveway, built in the gardens of the original Priory in 1896.
“Steeped in history and brimming with quirky magnetism, from the moment you step through the stylish front door you get the sense that what lies within is something very special indeed. Set over four floors, this home offers a wealth of versatile space throughout.”
