10: The Carnival House – St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
Once a Victorian Turkish bathhouse, now a kaleidoscope of creativity, this home had social media in a spin. With a living room that doubles as a bowling alley, a utility room straight out of a submarine, and a triple-decker bunk bed that sleeps six, this home was anything but ordinary.
Other properties that have captured imaginations, headlines, and attention on the portal over the past 25 years include:
The Gazebo Tower – This cylindrical home became a favourite for its whimsical architecture
Model village – A property with its own miniature town
Scottish lighthouse – Remote and dramatic coastal views
Cave apartment – A Nottingham home carved into rock
Concrete tower – Brutalist architecture at its boldest
Windmill complex – A unique multi-building estate
Water tower conversion – Industrial chic with panoramic views
The Hobbit house - A magical burrow for modern-day Hobbits
The graveyard home – Historic headstones and quiet neighbours
Restored 1846 church – A heavenly home with gothic charm
Ripley Castle Estate – Historic grandeur meets modern living
Cave conversion – Hobbit-like interiors in a hidden home
Grade II-listed windmill – A heritage gem with a twist
The station house – The ultimate commuter home
The skate park home – Former youth hall turned bowl house
“Billions of minutes are spent on Rightmove each year, and these homes show just how wonderfully diverse the housing market can be," says Rightmove’s property expert, Colleen Babcock. “From the wildly imaginative to the beautifully bizarre, these listings have captured hearts, headlines, and hashtags. They remind us that a home isn’t just bricks and mortar, it’s a reflection of personality, creativity, and sometimes, pure eccentricity.
“Whether it’s a stiletto-shaped bathtub or a shark diving through a roof, these properties prove that the UK housing market is full of surprises, and we love celebrating the moments that make people stop, smile, and share.”
