It could buy you a two-bedroom terrace in Darlington, but £70,000 will stretch only as far as a beach hut in the popular seaside resort of Southwold. The smart blue and white hut, called Reverie, is in the highly sought-after Gun Hill area of the town, near the harbour, and could be yours for offers of more than £70,000.

It could buy you a two-bedroom terrace in Darlington, but £70,000 will stretch only as far as a beach hut in the popular seaside resort of Southwold.

The smart blue and white hut, called Reverie, is in the highly sought-after Gun Hill area of the town, near the harbour, and could be yours for offers of more than £70,000.

For your money you also get seaside essentials such as a veranda, lounging chairs, wind breaks and a gas stove and kettle.

There is also an annual lease fee of about £500 to Waveney District Council.

Richard Leeming, director of estate agents Flick and Son, who are selling the property, said the beach hut, which has been owned by the same family for nearly 40 years, was being sold via a process similar to closed bids where potential buyers do not know what other bidders are offering.

He added: “Rather than ongoing offers and negotiations we thought we would give it a good airing and have a cut-off point. People can submit written offers and we think it will go down to the wire. As far as we are aware there has been some serious interest.

“Some years you get one or two on the market, sometimes half a dozen or more. They do tend to stay in families or change hands privately.”

The coloured huts which line the promenade are little bigger than a shed, but command high prices. Last year, the market peaked with a hut in the same area selling for more than £90,000 and the huts remain popular with buyers, despite the recent downturn in the property market. Huts nearer to the pier can go for about £30,000 with the prices depending on location and condition.

“Southwold is a traditional English seaside town and the beach huts are part of its charm and quirks. They tend to generate quite a lot of interest and we await the closing date with bated breath,” said Mr Leeming.

The hut, which came on the market at the end of March, is open to offers up until noon on June 2. Contact Flick and Son for a viewing on 01502 722253.