PHOTOS: You'll never believe what this cottage looks like on the inside

We shouldn't judge a book by its cover - and this tiny cottage shows exactly why looks can be deceiving.

Dracups Cottage in Shropshire looks like an average terrace cottage - but behind its front door lies an astonishing secret which has to be seen to be believed.

The tiny cottage was the home of the late artist Antony Dracup, who laboured with love to turn the small dwelling into a masterpiece.

The cottage boasts two bedrooms, a living room and a galley kitchen, but the basement is a real treat.

Dracup chiselled much of the sandstone basement by hand after deciding to extend the small existing cave in the garden.

Today a huge sandstone cave with vaulted ceilings and ornate pillars exists in the basement.

The house also features a roof terrace, landscaped gardens, a bathroom and an attic room.

The beautiful home has gone on sale for just under £200,000 (approximately €261,000).

Antony's son Dennis said his father - who died in 2002 aged 72 - revolutionised the cottage by decorating every surface and adding an extra layer of bricks for noise insulation.

"Every house that he took up residence in received the 'Dracup treatment' - arches, pillars, balustrades, moulding; marbling, graining, varnishing, stained-glass all designed and crafted from start to finish by his hand," he said on a website dedicated to his father's work.

"In true Colditz style - a little every day, but persistently - he chiselled away.

"His persistence was rewarded with noticeably stronger chest muscles and extra living space."

Check out more photos of this beautiful house in our gallery:

The area is well known for its network of bright red sandstone caves, which used to be a popular place for young people to socialise.

A description from estate agent Nock Deighton - which has had multiple enquiries since it went on the market on Monday - said: "Dracups Cottage is a simply unique home that must be seen to be believed.

"The current owners have really embraced the work of former owner and local artist Mr Anthony Dracup and have kept alive the unique character features and integral art work.

"The key feature is the wonderful cave which forms a stunning lounge/living space with ornate vaulted pillars and unlike anything else you are likely to see."