Stunning coastal cottage sitting on haunted caves and with links to smugglers on market for £750k
It is said his ghost still haunts the cave today, with one holidaymaker claiming to have captured it on camera in 2015.
A PICTURESQUE seaside cottage home to 18th century smuggler Willy Wilcox has gone on the market in Cornwall for over £750,000
The cottage is named after the Willy Wilcox and is positioned in the cliffs overlooking Polperro harbour.
The four bed house is raised above the sea cave where Willy used to stash his illegal wares and hide from customs men.
He even built a narrow passageway that connected the cave to the cottage to smuggle contraband goods into his home.
The hidden route has long been closed up but the entrance can still be seen in the living room today.
It is believed Willy drowned in the cave when he became trapped by the tide while trying to evade customs officials and his ghost still haunts the cave to this day, with one holidaymaker claiming to have captured it on camera in 2015.
The cottage, which has stunning sea views, is instantly recognisable by its bright blue door and shutters and has also featured in paintings as well as postcards.
The character of the property has been preserved with beamed ceilings made from old ship timbers and an open fire with a copper canopy.
The house has 1,085 sq ft of accommodation with the hall, kitchen/diner and living room downstairs and four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a utility room upstairs.
There are two terraced areas that come with property - one to the top left, which has unobstructed views over the working fishing harbour and the picturesque rooftops of the village, and another terrace to the rear of the house.
It also has direct access to the South West Coast Path, which will be of interest to walkers.
The current owners have had the property since 2010, using it as a holiday let which brings in £55,000 a year.
It is available to buy as a private residence, a second home or an ongoing holiday let.
Polly Anderson of estate agents Ocean and Country, said: "It's got a lot of interesting history to it, it's an incredibly old cottage and obviously named after the smuggler Willy Wilcox.
"Because of that history and the position of it by the harbour it is definitely one of the most photographed properties in Polperro, and probably in Cornwall.
"The cottage has got so much character and has been very successful as a holiday let.
"Originally they think there was a passage that ran from the cave into the cottage when there were smugglers sneaking in contraband but it's closed up over the years.
"In the living room there is a window that you can see through to the cliff wall behind.
"The views from the cottage are stunning. You've got the best of both worlds with the sea view and a view over the harbour and the rest of Polperro."
