A country cottage that had come onto the market for the first time in almost 30 years has been sold before going under the hammer.

The former railway crossing keepers gatehouse that lies right next to the busy Lowestoft to Ipswich train line and has 22 trains running just metres past it every day has been "sold prior" to auction.

The two bedroom cottage - Dawdys Crossing Gatehouse on Burnt Hill Lane in Carlton Colville, Lowestoft - failed to sell at auction. Picture: Auction House East AngliaThe two bedroom cottage - Dawdys Crossing Gatehouse on Burnt Hill Lane in Carlton Colville, Lowestoft - sold ahead of auction. Picture: Auction House East Anglia (Image: Auction House East Anglia) Described as a "charming" cottage that backs onto open countryside, people had the "unique opportunity" to own a former railway gatehouse as it was offered for sale.

Dawdys Crossing Gatehouse on Burnt Hill Lane in Carlton Colville, Lowestoft was set to go under the hammer at auction last week.

The two bedroom cottage - Dawdys Crossing Gatehouse on Burnt Hill Lane in Carlton Colville, Lowestoft - failed to sell at auction. Picture: Auction House East AngliaThe two bedroom cottage - Dawdys Crossing Gatehouse on Burnt Hill Lane in Carlton Colville, Lowestoft - has been sold ahead of an auction. Picture: Auction House East Anglia (Image: Auction House East Anglia) The former railway crossing keepers gatehouse - known as Gate House Cottage - had sparked lots of interest as it was listed as part of the Auction House East Anglia lots for their auction in July.

But it did not quite hit its reserve price after bidding was halted at £176,000 and it failed to sell during the previous online property auction in July.

The two-bed cottage however attracted lots of attention as it was marketed once more by Auction House East Anglia and was set to be sold on a freehold tenure with a guide price of £160,000 to £180,000 plus fees at a livestream auction on September 11.

The property description from the auctioneers said: "Charming detached former railway crossing keepers gatehouse backing onto open countryside

"Known as Gate House Cottage this is a unique opportunity to buy a former railway crossing keepers gatehouse on the Lowestoft to Ipswich train line.

"This deceptively spacious two bedroom detached cottage bungalow has a range of traditional features and is in good decorative order."

Located in "a pleasant rural location overlooking Carlton Marshes," it added: "Ideal for owner occupation, second home or holiday let.

"First time to market in nearly 30 years.

"On instruction of executors."

After the auction, a spokesman for the auctioneers said Dawdys Crossing Gatehouse on Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville in Lowestoft had been "Sold prior to auction for an undisclosed amount."