Travel
Living the high life
We might live in the lowlands of Britain but that doesn’t
mean the high spots are any less spectacular. Anne Gould looks at East Anglian
holidays with lofty viewpoints
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Things always look different from on high – climb a tower in Norfolk
and Suffolk and you’ll literally be able to see for miles.
You’ll also be able to escape from ground level hustle and bustle
and relax with uninterrupted views that literally no-one else can see.
It’s a prospect that’s actually got more to it than meets
the eye as most of the properties which offer spectacular skylines are a
little bit different themselves.
From water towers to windmills, Elizabethan follies to stately race stands
and Napoleonic defences - the Let’s Talk! list is breathtaking.
1.
The Tower, Blickling
Part of the stunning Blickling estate, The Tower was previously used as
the second earl of Buckinghamshire’s race stand, where lords and ladies
would have stood on the roof and cheered on their horses.
Today it’s part of the National Trust cottage portfolio and has
undergone a huge restoration project and offers luxurious accommodation.
It sleeps four people.
Call 08448002072 or see www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk for more details.
2:
Appleton Water Tower
An “exceptional” holiday cottage which was built after two
members of the royal family fell ill while on holiday at Sandringham.
It was decided that the estate needed a new water supply and this neo-Byzantine
tower was built in 1877 under the guidance of James Mansergh and Robert
Rawlinson.
Mansergh realised that the upper levels of the tower would have a commanding
view of the estate, so he created a viewing room for the use of the royal
family and guests when shooting parties and picnickers needed a base during
the day.
Two other floors were created to accommodate the tower’s engineer
or caretaker. The Appleton waterworks served the Sandringham estate for
many years but in 1973 was leased to the Landmark Trust.
Since then it’s been renovated and the best room in the tower, the
old viewing room, is now a bed sitting room.
The tower accommodates up to four people, there’s an enclosed garden
but the staircase is steep.
For more details call 01628 825925 or see the official website at www.landmarktrust.org.uk
3:
The Old Lighthouse
Just the place for a family gathering by the seaside, the Old Lighthouse
at Old Hunstanton boats a superb position on the cliffs, just yards from
a sandy beach. It also boasts amazing sea views from almost every window.
The present lighthouse was built in 1840 and ceased operations in 1922,
since then it has been a private residence. A lighthouse has been on the
site since 1665 and the world’s first parabolic reflector was built
there in 1776.
The Old Lighthouse has four bedrooms and sleeps eight people.
Call 01603 871872 for more details or see the website www.norfolkcottages.co.uk
4.
The Old Granary
In a magnificent position overlooking the port at Wells-next-the-Sea, marshes
and sea, Norfolk Country Cottages has a luxury third floor apartment (with
lift) for holiday lets in the Old Granary.
Although the open sea is now about a mile from quayside, Wells has a long
maritime history dating back to Tudor times.
The Old Granary was built in 1903 with loading gantry but has been converted
into luxury flats, which have been appointed in comfortable minimalist style.
The apartment sleeps two people. Call 01603 871872 for more details or see
the website at www.norfolkcottages.co.uk
5.
Tranmer House
Overlooking the River Deben to Woodbridge, Tranmer House at Sutton Hoo
offers the viewpoint that led to the discovery of one of the most important
Anglo-Saxon burial sites in Europe.
Owned by the National Trust there are two well appointed apartments on
the second floor offering accommodation for four people.
Call 08448002072 or see www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk
6.
Martello Tower
Located at Aldeburgh, this is the most northerly of a string of Martello
towers that were built along the south and east coasts of Britain to repel
an invasion by Napoleon.
It’s an unusual design – instead of being round it’s quatrefoil
in shape, it’s also got a moat and is the largest tower of its sort.
Originally it was part of the village of Slaughden but the last houses vanished
beneath the waves just before the Second World War.
An elegant penthouse was added to the tower in 1936 but by 1971 when it
came into Landmark Trust ownership it was in need of repair.
The tower, which has a solid fuel stove and a shower, accommodates up to
four people.
For more details call 01628 825925 or see the official website at www.landmarktrust.org.uk
7.
House in the Clouds
Probably one of England’s most famous follies, this 70ft former water
tower was constructed in 1923 to provide water for the village of Thorpeness.
Today it’s available to rent at a price of £670 a night or
£2,680 a week ( in September) but it does have five bedrooms, three
bathrooms and a snooker room at the top of the house with stunning views
over the Suffolk countryside.
There’s also an acre of private garden to explore plus table tennis,
lawn tennis and boules.
Getting to the top involves climbing 67 easy stairs but there are four
landings and five half landings with resting seats.
Call 02072243615 or www.houseintheclouds.co.uk for more details.
8. The Gatehouse
One of only a handful of holiday lets currently available from English
Heritage, the Gatehouse in Essex has been beautifully restored and offers
two bedrooms and views over Audley End gardens to the River Cam.
This house was built in 1842 and with its large leaded bay windows and
ornate exterior is certainly a property with a difference.
For further details call 08703331187 or visit the website at www.english-heritage.org.uk/heritageholidays
9:
Cley Mill
Dating back to the early 18th century this windmill has become a well known
landmark on the north Norfolk coast with brilliant views over the salt marshes
to Blakeney Point.
It was featured in the film Conspirator in 1949, which starred Elizabeth
Taylor, was the scene of various Ruth Rendell mysteries, appeared extensively
in David Bellamy’s TV series and for several years was appeared as
BBC1’s continuity link.
It’s been converted into a guest house and offers bed and breakfast
or self-catering accommodation. It’s also available to rent for private
parties or weddings.
For more details call 01263 740209 or see ww.cleywindmill.co.uk
10
Freston Tower
Built in 1578 by Thomas Gooding, on the southern bank of the River Orwell,
Freston Tower commands spectacular views of the river east towards Woolverstone,
Levington, Pin Mill and Felixstowe and west, the Orwell Bridge and the town
of Ipswich.
It may have been designed as a lookout for pirates or an extravagant folly
but there’s a fictional story that it was built for the beautiful
Ellen de Freston and on each weekday she was supposed to study a different
subject on each floor, charity, tapestry, music, painting, literature and
astronomy on the top floor.
But as there are no fireplaces it seems that there was never an intention
that it should be lived in. The six floor tower has a room on each floor
and 26 windows, with the sitting room (which has the best views) at the
top.
Owned by the Landmark Trust, the tower is open to rent as a holiday cottage
and will accommodate four people.
For more details call 01628 825925 or see the official website www.landmarktrust.org.uk