MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Gloria]

I'd have to think it has a twirly staircase inside looking where the windows are placed, so it could be a viewing platform of some sort, especially with the railing around the top. Game spotting / shooting on an estate. Or, on the borders of somewhere to repel invaders.

[plaques]

One of those non-military watchtowers with a religious association from my boozing days Jehovah's Witnesses, No idea where and what for.

[Stanley]

Any connection with the Napoleonic Wars?

[Tizer]

No correct answers yet, and nothing to do with the Napoleonic wars. You all seem to be stuck in a rut, so let your imagination wander into other areas. (There are no clues in that sentence. It's just an observation!)

[Wendyf]

Is it a reservoir outlet tower? (Can't see any water but it's worth a try!)

[Tizer]

A good suggestion, Wendy, it certainly looks like one of those...but no it isn't that! I think you all need to apply a bit of Dominic Cumming's `thinking out of the box'. Where else do you see structures like this?

[Wendyf]

The base for a windmill?

[Gloria]

An isolation building of some sort?
Is there a railway tunnel below, and this is a fancy air vent?

[Cathy]

Was it originally an entrance into a castle or lighthouse ?

[Stanley]

I like Gloria's suggestion, a fancy construction shaft/air vent for a railway or canal tunnel.
Box Tunnel or Standedge?

[Tizer]

Wendy, Gloria and Stanley - sorry, but wrong again. Cathy is closest - not a castle but she's on the right track with lighthouse.

[Gloria]

Could a signal fire be lit on the top?

[Tizer]

No. The present owners wouldn't thank you for doing that!

[Gloria]

is it a house converted from a lighthouse?

[Stanley]

Was it originally a lighthouse on a breakwater but saved, moved and converted to a view point?

[Cathy]

Even tho I would love to have that attached to a home of mine (in my dreams ), I think a business has been attached to it.

Back again... why am I thinking Astronomers, Star Gazers?

[Tizer]

Is it a house converted from a lighthouse?

Correct, Gloria, well done. But there is more to it than that. Stanley is right that it has been moved from its original location but he gives the wrong reason. Cathy is right about it now having a business connection but that's not particularly relevant. Where is it, what is it called and why was it moved?

[Stanley]

Coastguard observation point moved due to erosion of the coastline and nicknamed the pepper pot. All guesses!

[Tizer]

`..moved due to erosion of the coastline..' is correct but not coastguard, observation point or pepper pot!

[Gloria]

Has it been on a tv programme? Extraordinary Homes or something of that ilk?

[Tizer]

It has been seen on TV several times, including a programme of the type you mention, and has even featured in a James Bond film.

[Gloria]

This is giving me a headache.....Belle Tout Lighthouse, Eastbourne....holiday let??

[Tizer]

Congratulations, Gloria, you're right on target with Belle Toute Lighthouse. It was the first lighthouse at Beachy Head, on the cliff top. It wasn't successful due to the position and frequent mists and was replaced by the new lighthouse below the cliff. It then became a private residence and was recently moved further away from the cliff edge. My photo came from a book and must have been taken after the light was removed but before the new top was added. More about it here: LINK

[Gloria]

Thank goodness for that ..... Wooooo

[Wendyf]

Well done Gloria, I was looking at that yesterday but didn't think it could be right because it looked so white and had a top on!