There are some, ahem, real Christmas crackers on offer for the festive auction season from Clive Emson Auctioneers, with 163 lots catalogued for the auction firm’s December sale.

“This is our last auction of 2017 and what a great year it has been for sellers and buyers throughout our auction rooms,” managing director James Emson said.   

“The property market is as strong as ever. I’m proud to say our autumn auction was the best in terms of value and volume since 2007 with £23 million generated at an 80% sale rate.”

He added: “There is great underlying growth in land and property auctions as both our traditional and online sales are whetting the appetites of serious and motivated buyers and sellers.”

“We look forward to seeing purchasers and vendors at our packed December auction rooms where there you are sure to find the perfect Christmas cracker.”

The independent firm, which works closely with more than 850 high street agents across the south of England, has a number of highlights for the festive auction season.

This includes the 11-bedroom Grimstone Manor, a Georgian abode set in almost 20 acres near Yelverton, on the western slopes of Dartmoor. It is home to an indoor swimming pool, Victorian folly and walled garden, and has a freehold guide price of between £650,000 and £750,000.

Thirty-six garages across Eastbourne – being sold in four separate lots under instructions from Eastbourne Borough Council – are also on offer, with upper guide prices ranging from £18,000 to £110,000.

Furthermore, two substantial plots of woodland, open space and wetland at Pinxton and Ironville in Nottinghamshire – with upper price guides of £75,000 and £65,000 respectively – are up for auction. They are restored quarry and industrial land covered by tracks and paths. Elsewhere, 53 private lock-up garages in residential areas in Aldershot and Farnborough go under the hammer in six different lots. The freehold guides range from £20,000 to £120,000-plus.

Lastly, an iconic Martello Tower at Dymchurch in Kent – first constructed in 1806 as part of the coastal defence system against possible invasion from Napoleon’s France – has a freehold price guide of between £70,000 and £75,000 and could be suitable for conversion into a residential property.

Every six weeks Clive Emson holds a regional auction at five locations. The five locations for the December auctions are as follows:

·         Kent & SE London – Monday December 11 at the Clive Emson Conference Centre, Detling, Maidstone, Kent.

·         Hampshire & Isle of Wight – Tuesday December 12 at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

·         Essex & North and East London – Wednesday December 13 at the Chelmsford City Racecourse, Chelmsford.

·         Sussex & Surrey – Thursday December 14 at the Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton.

·         West Country – Friday December 15 at the St Mellion International Resort, Saltash.