If you’re looking for a quirky or unusual home that stands out from the crowd, and aren’t too worried about having oodles of space, then a traditional toll house could be the perfect answer.

Toll houses are small houses or lodges that were traditionally built and used to collect money at bridges or junctions on toll roads.

The toll collector lived in the house and had the job of collecting the money. In order to ensure people did pay, there was often a gate across the road which was only opened after the toll was paid.

Over time, many of the traditional toll houses have been demolished, but others have successfully survived and are still lived in today.

Most are quite small and compact (although there are exceptions), and stand out because of their dinky size. Sometimes they’re built in unusual shapes, like hexagons, and you can be assured that they’ll almost always be on the side of a road or bridge.

Whilst they may not be the most practical property purchase for families or anyone who likes a large driveway,  if you don’t mind not having loads of space, are an individual or couple, or want to be able to rent out the property as a quirky holiday home, then toll houses can be the ideal buy.

Toll houses on the market

Tavistock, Devon

A Grade II listed former toll house.

This hexagonal shaped toll house has two bedrooms (one with en-suite), a bathroom, large lounge and a kitchen/breakfast room.

There’s a small garden outside.

The asking price is £175,000.

Bath

It’s not often you find a house for sale in a bridge, but that’s the case with this toll house. Located in Cleveland Bridge, in central Bath, this fab toll house is Grade II listed and is a former toll lodge designed by architect Henry Goodridge.

It was built in 1826 by William Hazledine and, although it has quite a grand and striking exterior, the interior has a contemporary and light and airy design.

Unlike a lot of toll houses which are simply by the side of the road, this house benefits from fantastic river frontage too. It has two bedrooms, a kitchen/dining room, bathroom and sitting room. £299,000.

Cornwall

This Grade II listed 16th century detached toll keeper’s cottage is another property that’s built into a stone bridge. It’s located on the edge of St Columb Major in Cornwall, where the bridge crosses the River Menalhyl.

The cottage has two bedrooms, gardens running along the riverbank and extra storage under the house. It’s full of character and has some very quirky features, such as unusual shaped windows. £195,000.

West Yorkshire

This stone-built detached lodge was formerly a toll house to Blackgates House in Tingley, West Yorkshire.

Believed to have been built in about 1840, the lodge has three en-suite bedrooms, two spacious reception rooms, a contemporary kitchen, a cellar and a study.

In the garden a feature has been made of the re-sited stone gate posts from the original toll gate. £350,000.

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