65ft high tower gives room with a view for holiday visitors

Dec 10 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

VISITORS to the latest addition to Northumberland’s stock of holiday homes are sure of a high old time. Retired farming couple John and Heather Sutherland have just completed the conversion of a 65ft high tower into one of the region’s most unusual holiday lets.

They have created five storeys of circular rooms, which become smaller as the tower tapers to the top.

And they are all linked by an iron staircase fashioned by blacksmith James Godbold.

The 18th Century listed tower, known as the Outchester Ducket, stands on a medieval site which is a scheduled ancient monument.

The tower at Outchester Farm, half a mile from Budle Bay, was used to house pigeons and doves, but may originally have been a windmill. It is the latest recruit to the 16 holiday homes under the Ross Cottages banner, run by John and Heather, who live at nearby Ross.

On the ground floor is the bathroom, with the bedroom on the first floor, kitchen and dining area on the second, and sitting room on the third.

John said the smallest room in the tower was actually one of the biggest attractions for potential guests.

He said: “By the time you get to the top, the room is getting very small. But it has two chairs and two windows to enjoy the wonderful views.

“You can see right across to Holy Island and the Cheviot Hills. On a clear day, you feel you are on your own up in the air.”

John has known the tower since he bought Outchester Farm in 1960.

He said: “It was more or less derelict, but I always thought it was a possibility for holiday accommodation.

“We wanted to provide a future for the building before it deteriorated any further.” Conversion work took 18 months, overseen by local builder Mark Swearman, who runs Fairview Building Services. And the heating for the tower comes from a pump installed in the ground.

John said: “It has been a challenge but we were fortunate to have high quality craftsmen working on the project.

“I suppose it will appeal to a special sort of market but I am sure visitors will get a lot of pleasure from staying there.”