Fierce bidding is expected next month when an unusual cottage in one of London’s most desired postcodes is sold at auction.

Pond Cottage is a two-bedroom house with a Dutch gable overlooking Wimbledon Common.

The locally listed building in Southside Common will be sold by Savills at auction on Tuesday, March 31 with a starting price of £1.185m.

Southside Common is one of the most sought-after streets in Merton, with a long history of prestigious residents.

Wimbledon Times:

The cottage overlooks Rushmere Pond on Wimbledon Common 

Henry Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Newcastle, Elizabeth Hervey, Countess of Bristol and the 19th-century anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce have all lived in the street.

The cottage is down the road from King’s College School and Southside House, a 17th-century manor with a rich history of royal and celebrity visitors.

Wimbledon Times:

Rich history: Southside House in Southside Common 

Christopher Coleman-Smith, directors at Savills Auctions, said: "Not many properties come up in that sort of location.

"You are going to be restricted how high you can go because the next door property has windows but you might be able to build on the right hand side."

The property features a reception area, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms on the ground floor.

Downstairs there is a full-height basement.

Two-bedroom flats have sold in the same street for more than £2m.

Wimbledon Times:

Rushmere Pond on Wimbledon Common 

The original mansions along Southside were built in the 18th century and described as "an assemblage of gentlemen's houses, most delightfully situated with good gardens from whence is a pleasant prospect over the luxuriant vale beneath."

Many were sold to developers during the Victorian era and rebuilt in a mixture of styles.