Where Am I? No 12

[Little Nell]

I know the possibility of it being related to the coastguard has been mentioned a while back (largely due to the tower and something similar on the south coast), but I think that should be ruled out.

Coastguard stations were built to a fairly standard architectural design.  There are some good examples shown in the photos here:

http://www.coastguardsofyesteryear.org/photogallery.php?album_id=5
and here:
http://www.hm-waterguard.org.uk/Offices%20&%20Buildings-Coastguard.htm

There were often a row of four (or more) cottages in a row for the men who manned the station, plus a watch tower.  That watch tower often had a battlemented or plain flat roofline.  Since the purpose of the coastguard was originally to prevent smuggling, the buildings were very basic and unpretentious in design.

Our mystery house shows no resemblance to the standard row of cottages - it would have been a complete demolition and rebuild job.  Many are now holiday homes e.g. at Lulworth Cove, Mullion Cove and Pendeen.

But, lots of houses in coastal locations - near commercial harbours perhaps - had towers built that were above the normal roofline and provided an excellent view of shipping that was entering port.  There is quite a good example on Trefusis Road in Flushing.  And there is another in Leith in Scotland (except that has an open gazebo tower - pretty chilly observation post, I would have thought  )

So perhaps we should be looking for somewhere near a harbour.

I still think it's southern England though.

Nell

[mosiefish]

I too have always thought that this house was in the south and near the coast - the way it is built for one.  The windswept (pine?) trees may also be a clue.  I have found examples of the bay window roofing mainly in Hampshire/Isle of Wight although I still can`t rule out Sussex and Dorset.  It still doesn`t help and I have spent hours (probably days) looking for it.  I just wish someone could find it. 

Mo

[Mike in Cumbria]

Yes, those are Scots pine trees. You find them all over, of course, but very narrow pine belts like that are very typical of Breckland.

[cazza59]

Can't believe people are still persisting with this one, it's nearly 3 months to the day since I first posted it. 

When I look at it again, I still get the impression it's not a "family" home, but it does have some other distinctive purpose.  Can't explain why, just the look of the place. 

Have we exhausted nursing/retirement homes, convalescent homes, retired veterans home, country/sporting clubs, b & bs, hotels…

That tower was built for a purpose..the view…a retreat…official lookout…but may have now been removed if the house still stands.

Of course, the house could have been destroyed, torn down, converted….   

Probably haven't suggested a single new idea. 

[Joyful]

I think we've all searched terms like that Caz but it continues to be

elusive I did find a house in Scotland with a tower like that one but the house

was different

I do think the tower had a specific purpose ( now there's an original thought )

Joy

[ScouseBoy]

My research locally indicates that the house was re-modelled  or Re-built in 1916.

I believe that it is Fron Yw  or Vron Yw in Llangwyfan near Denbigh. 

I suggest people search on the alternative  spelling of Vron Yw  owned by a Mr Behrens, presumably a wealthy  business man.

Someone may like to search the 1901 Census  for who lived at Vron Yw  Llangwyfan  and the  adjacent  Fron Yw  cottages.

A relative of mine until recently  lived at Fron Yw  nursing home.  Fron Yw is no longer a Nursing home.         The tall trees, the grassy bank, the steps, the other building in the background,  all indicate to me that they relate to the site of the building in the photo  on post one of this thread.       My son has run down that grassy bank.      It is quite a remote rural spot.    High up on the Clwydian Hills  near to Penycloddau hill fort.  The tower would have given excellent views across the Vale of Clwyd.   
I believe that it can be proved that the photo was of Vron Yw, Llangwyfan  before it was re-built  or re-modelled.

I  will try  to get additional  information  from the records office  or other local historians. 

[Mike in Cumbria]

I believe that it is Fron Yw  or Vron Yw in Llangwyfan near Denbigh. 
 

Still?  Have you looked at any of the previous posts pointing out the considerable differences between the two houses?

[ScouseBoy]

I believe that it is Fron Yw  or Vron Yw in Llangwyfan near Denbigh. 
 

            The house shown in the photograph WAS   re-built in 1916.

The trees  and the grassy bank   and other identical factors such as the building in the background suggest that  I am right.

Look at the Census  for confirmation is my suggestion.

Still?  Have you looked at any of the previous posts pointing out the considerable differences between the two houses?

[ScouseBoy]

I believe that it is Fron Yw  or Vron Yw in Llangwyfan near Denbigh. 
 

Still?  Have you looked at any of the previous posts pointing out the considerable differences between the two houses?

   There are CONSIDERABLE  similarities.

the term Re-built  accounts for those  minor differences.