Inside abandoned cottage left to rot whose owner walked out and never returned

Preserved in time, this cottage has been untouched for a decade after its owner abandoned it - even leaving the washing hanging to dry.

The house in Leek, Staffordshire, has been left in a sorrowful state with all of its furniture and belongings intact.

Not much is known about the isolated cottage, except that it was occupied by a family of four with the father working for a local pottery company, giving it the nickname 'the potter's cottage'.

Overalls remain hanging from ceiling beams, plates left on the kitchen side and a clothes line even still has washing hanging - as if the owners got up and left one day without coming back.

Overalls have been left hanging up inside the house (mediadrumimages/KyleUrbex)

Even the crockery has been left on the kitchen worktops (mediadrumimages/KyleUrbex)

Pictures revealing its insides also show a picture of an unknown child left on a chair, with newspapers and wall calendars dating back to 2010 providing a clue as to when the home was last occupied.

Urban explorer Kyle, from Leeds, said he was taken aback by how much had been left in the property.

"Once inside I was quite shocked at just how frozen in time the entire place was, from old newspapers on the table to the chair situated right next to the older-styled firepit," he said.

Old newspapers give away just how long the cottage has been left to rot (mediadrumimages/KyleUrbex)

Wall calendars provide a little insight into how long the cottage has been left (mediadrumimages/KyleUrbex)

"Personal memories scattered about the desks and walls from family photos and days gone by certainly made this explore more unique.

"The man's overalls were hanging up and there were pictures of the family left behind.

"It was alleged that the man of the house worked for a local pottery company. Later in life, he served as a handyman carrying out any repairs to the household and garden and even the family car.

It's believed a family of four once lived in the house (mediadrumimages/KyleUrbex)

"He was a collector of vintage antiques judging from the Coca Cola bucket pictured and little keepsakes scattered across the kitchen counters.

"It looks as though they left one day and never returned home."

The small cottage, which Kyle said was in "the middle of nowhere", consists of a kitchen area, living room and two bedrooms, with the toilet situated outside.

"So it proves just how far back this property dates back," he added.

"I was just taken back by the whole explore. I'm glad I did manage to tick it off my list."