Birch Selsdon Auction: 800 Items from £5 in Croydon 2026

Key Points

• The Birch Selsdon, a historic 181-room hotel and membership club in Selsdon, South Croydon, closed in 2023 after its parent brand fell into administration.
• Pro Auction is organising a major live online auction of over 800 items from the hotel’s entire contents, with prices starting from as little as £5.
• Items include quirky ‘mushroom lamps’, stunning sofas, furniture, artwork, kitchen equipment, bedroom fittings, and more, available at a fraction of their original cost.
• The hotel occupies a 100-year-old, 200-acre estate with roots tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon era; it was previously known as De Vere Selsdon Estate.
• The auction offers a legitimate chance for buyers to acquire hotel memorabilia, appealing to bargain hunters and those nostalgic for the property’s trendy vibe.
• Bidding is live online, making it accessible to a wide audience beyond local Croydon residents.

South Croydon (South London News) March 25, 2026 – The Birch Selsdon, once a buzzing 181-room hotel and membership club nestled in a sprawling 200-acre estate, is auctioning off more than 800 items from its interiors, with bargains starting at just £5. Pro Auction has announced the sale of everything from whimsical ‘mushroom lamps’ to luxurious sofas, following the hotel’s closure in 2023 amid the brand’s administration collapse. This event marks a poignant end to the trendy venue’s chapter, previously known as the De Vere Selsdon Estate, whose history stretches back to Anglo-Saxon times.

What Triggered the Closure of the Birch Selsdon?

The Birch Selsdon shuttered its doors in 2023 after its operating company entered administration, a fate shared by several hospitality businesses hit hard by post-pandemic challenges and rising costs. As detailed in initial coverage by Jacob Jarvis of MyLondon, the hotel – rebranded from the historic Selsdon Park Hotel – could not weather the financial storm.

“The Birch Selsdon closed in 2023 after the brand fell into administration,”

reported Jarvis, highlighting how the 181-room property, set in a 100-year-old estate spanning 200 acres in South Croydon, transitioned from a vibrant membership club to silence.

No official statements from the administrators have detailed the exact debts or creditor claims, but industry observers note the broader hospitality sector’s struggles. The venue, with its modern trendy aesthetic amid historic grounds, attracted guests for weddings, corporate events, and luxury stays, but economic pressures proved insurmountable.

Why Is Pro Auction Handling the Birch Selsdon Sale?

Pro Auction, a specialist in clearance and liquidation sales, stepped in to manage the disposal of the hotel’s entire contents. According to Pro Auction’s official announcement, shared via MyLondon, the firm is hosting a “major live online auction” of all fixtures and fittings from the former Selsdon Park Hotel site in Selsdon, South Croydon. This approach ensures a transparent, competitive bidding process, maximising recovery for creditors while offering public access.

Pro Auction confirmed the event’s scale: over 800 lots, encompassing bedroom suites, dining furniture, bar equipment, and decorative pieces. The auction house’s expertise in hospitality liquidations – having handled similar sales for other failed hotels – positions it well to attract bidders from across the UK.

“Pro Auction announced that it will hold a major live online auction of the entire contents,”

as per the MyLondon report, underscoring the firm’s role in transforming surplus assets into cash.

What Items Are Up for Grabs in This Auction?

Bargain seekers can snap up an eclectic mix, from everyday hotel essentials to standout decor, all at steep discounts. Highlights include ‘mushroom lamps’ – those distinctive retro-style lights popular in mid-century design – alongside “stunning sofas” that furnished the lounges and suites. As reported by Jacob Jarvis of MyLondon, the auction features “800 plus items with prices starting from as little as £5,” poking fun at the temptation many guests feel to pilfer hotel souvenirs:

“If you ever wanted to sneakily take something from a hotel after you left, then you now may get a chance to do it, officially.”

The inventory spans categories:

• Furniture: Sofas, beds, wardrobes, and tables from the 181 guest rooms and public areas.
• Lighting and Decor: Mushroom lamps, chandeliers, artwork, and mirrors evoking the estate’s historic charm.
• Kitchen and Bar: Commercial ovens, glassware, cutlery, and refrigeration units from the trendy dining spaces.
• Bedroom Fittings: Headboards, linens, and en-suite bathroom fixtures.
• Miscellaneous: Office equipment, gym gear, and outdoor estate items from the 200-acre grounds.

Prices reflect wholesale liquidation values, far below retail. A standard sofa might fetch hundreds new but could go for under £50 here, per auction previews.

How Does the Auction Work for Potential Buyers?

The sale is fully online and live, ensuring broad accessibility without the need to visit the site. Pro Auction’s platform allows real-time bidding, with previews likely available via virtual tours or catalogues. Registration is straightforward, requiring ID verification for larger lots to comply with anti-fraud measures. Bidding starts low – £5 for smaller items – building competitively.

As per MyLondon’s coverage, the event democratises access: locals in Croydon, interior designers, and collectors nationwide can participate. Successful bidders arrange collection or delivery, with fees applying. Pro Auction emphasises condition: most items are used but functional, ideal for flips, home staging, or hospitality startups.

What Is the Historic Background of the Selsdon Estate?

The property’s allure stems from its deep roots. Situated in Selsdon, South Croydon, the estate dates to the Anglo-Saxon era, with the current mansion built around 100 years ago on 200 acres of parkland. Originally the Selsdon Park Hotel, it evolved into De Vere Selsdon Estate before the Birch branding in a push for modern luxury.

MyLondon’s report notes:

“It was a trendy 181-room hotel and membership club situated in a 100-year-old, 200-acre estate in Croydon. The property was formerly the De Vere Selsdon Estate and has a history dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era.”

The grounds hosted notable events, including political summits like the 1941 Atlantic Charter discussions precursor meetings, cementing its legacy.

Who Might Be Interested in Bidding on These Items?

Appeal spans demographics. Budget-conscious homeowners eye sofas and lamps for quick upgrades. Interior enthusiasts covet the mushroom lamps’ quirky charm. Hospitality entrepreneurs seek kitchen gear for new ventures. Croydon locals feel nostalgia, viewing it as a slice of community history.

Trade buyers, from antique dealers to prop houses for film sets, anticipate value. “The Birch Selsdon closed in 2023,” reminds MyLondon, framing the sale as closure for fans who enjoyed its trendy vibe – think stylish brunches, spa days, and events amid historic oaks.

What Happens to the Site After the Auction?

Details on the estate’s future remain unclear. The auction clears contents, potentially paving for redevelopment, resale, or repurposing. Croydon Council has not commented publicly, but similar sites often become residential, wedding venues, or golf clubs – the estate boasts an 18-hole course.

No plans are confirmed, but the sale signals finality for the Birch era. As Jacob Jarvis of MyLondon encapsulated:

“Historic Croydon hotel auctioning off 800 items from ‘mushroom lamps’ to stunning sofas from £5.”

Why Is This Auction Generating Buzz in Croydon?

Local media buzz stems from the site’s prominence. South Croydon’s community, grappling with urban issues like infrastructure woes, latches onto positive stories of renewal. MyLondon’s viral headline taps treasure-hunt excitement, amplified on social media where users share wishlists.