This £475k Somerset House Looks Perfect Until You See What's Above It

By HOAR Team 4 July, 2025 5 mins read 76 Views

I've been scrolling through property listings for months now (don't ask about my current living situation), and I thought I'd seen everything. Wrong.

This Grade II-listed cottage in Clevedon popped up on my feed yesterday, and honestly? I stared at the photos for a solid ten minutes trying to process what I was seeing. The place looks like something straight out of a Country Living magazine - exposed beams, gorgeous brickwork, surrounded by these dreamy fields that make you want to quit your job and become a farmer.

Then you scroll down and realize there's a bloody great motorway sitting on top of it.

Hear the Summary

When Estate Agents Say "Unique Location"

The M5 literally runs overhead. Not nearby. Not "you can hear it in the distance." OVERHEAD. Like someone decided to build a house and then thought, "You know what this needs? A concrete ceiling with lorries thundering across it 24/7."

I showed the listing to my mate Sarah, and her first reaction was: "Surely sleep is impossible." Which pretty much sums up what everyone's thinking. The TikTok where this went viral has 60,000 views and counting, with comments ranging from the practical ("I would live in constant irrational fear that a car would land on my house") to the brutally honest ("Not being funny, that property would be double if it wasn't under the M5").

The Numbers Don't Lie

Here's what you get for your £475,000: two bedrooms in the main house, a studio annex, a separate two-bedroom holiday let, and six acres of woodland. Oh, and apparently you also own the bit of land under the motorway viaduct - they call it a "creeping freehold," which sounds like something from a horror film.

The holiday let is nearly finished (just needs "finishing touches," according to Greenslade Taylor Hunt), and the agent reckons it could be popular given how close it is to Clevedon and Portishead.

Popular with whom, exactly? People who enjoy the soothing sounds of HGVs at 3am?

Plot Twist: Some People Actually Defend It

Here's where it gets interesting. Not everyone thinks this is completely mental.

One commenter wrote: "The noise isn't that bad, you get used too it" (their spelling, not mine). Another person admitted: "Didn't realise I've been driving over such a lovely house." And my personal favorite: "In all fairness the M5 is at a standstill most weeks so probably not that noisy."

Fair point about the traffic jams, actually.

The Cottage That Time (and Planning Permission) Forgot

Looking at the interior shots, you can see why this place has people torn. The main house is spread across three floors with all the character features you'd want - those chunky wooden beams, original brickwork, massive windows flooding the rooms with natural light. It's the kind of place where you'd expect to find a cozy Aga and maybe a cat called Marmaduke.

Instead, you get the constant reminder that Britain's busiest route between the South West and Midlands is your upstairs neighbor.

Would I Buy It?

Look, I'm not going to lie. If I had £475k burning a hole in my pocket (which I absolutely don't), would I consider it? The romantic in me wants to say yes - imagine the stories you'd have at dinner parties. "Oh, our house? It's the one under the M5. Yes, that M5."

But then I remember I'm someone who gets annoyed when my neighbor's dog barks at 7am.

The estate agent calls it a "truly unique opportunity," and you know what? They're not wrong. I just can't decide if it's uniquely brilliant or uniquely bonkers.

Either way, it's definitely got people talking. And in today's property market, maybe that's half the battle won.

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How To Save for Retirement Effectively

Saving for retirement begins with setting clear goals regarding when you want to retire and how much money you will need. Start by contributing to employer-sponsored retirement plans like a 401(k), especially if your employer offers matching contributions. If self-employed or your employer does not provide a plan, consider opening an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Aim to save at least 15% of your income annually, including employer contributions. Regularly review and adjust your contributions as your income changes. Diversify your investments within your retirement accounts to reduce risk and maximize potential returns over time.