The last property auction held by Symonds and Sampson in Axminster was a triumph. The June 8 auction attracted much local support but also bidding from London, America, Australia, and Hong Kong, raising more than £4 million for the local estate agent’s clients.

Auctioneer, Mark Lewis said: “It was very good to see a full auction room in Axminster and we had a large variety of lots in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset. Some of the lots had not been offered on the open market before so people had a rare chance to buy something special.”

Ross Willmington a partner at Symonds & Sampson said: “The six-week campaign running up to the auction made our office very busy but the whole firm seemed to be involved as we had lots from Blandford, Dorchester, Bridgwater, Shepton Mallett, Bridport and Hayle in Cornwall as well as some in and around Axminster.”

All the lots sold very well but some properties attracted greater interest than expected. In particular, a 45 acre site at Trill near Musbury, sold for 50 per cent above the price guide, with the gavel falling at over £15,000 per acre, while buildings and land in Sidmouth went for 30 per cent above the advertised guide price.

A bungalow with five acres near Axminster sold for 22 per cent above what was expected, while another bungalow with four acres at Whitchurch Canonicorum sold for 35 per cent above the guide price.

The most excitement was reserved for a cottage and eight acres near Burton Bradstock as Steve Allen, a partner from the Bridport office explained: “The property had been featured in films such as Tess Of The D’Urbervilles and Tom Jones, with Albert Finney, and had the most extraordinary atmosphere.

“In total, there were 115 views, 900 legal documents were downloaded, and we had 25 registered bidders. The guide price of £395,000 was easily exceeded as the hammer price was £710,000, 80 per cent more! It was incredibly exciting!”

Symonds & Sampson are now welcoming entries for their next auction on Thursday, July 20. To book a free market appraisal of your property, contact Ross Willmington (Farms & Land), or Graham Barton or Rickey Stoodley (Residential) on 01297 33122.