Watchtower where viewing comes highly recommended

T HE Watchtower, which overlooks Belfast Lough, is a most distinctive property that boasts a superb character.

It was discovered in a state of dereliction and has been lovingly rebuilt and restored over the last eight years.

No detail has been missed in a project which turned out to be a tug-of- love for the present owner.

The property is situated at the end of a row of five coastguard cottages which were built 200 years ago.

The spacious entrance hall leads to a roomy square-shaped lounge measuring 12ft 1in by 12ft 1in. It has an interesting clay brick feature fireplace complete with an attractive timber mantel.

The Georgian windows allow fantastic sea views, and the lounge has a gun port window.

Off the lounge is the kitchen which measures 12ft 5in by 8ft 6in with a range of eye and waist-level wooden units with Formica work surfaces.

The beamed feature ceiling gives the kitchen a pleasant country feel and a matching plate rack completes the whole look.

A fine wooden staircase leads to the first-floor landing which has a walk-in hot-press housing a copper cylinder and Willis- type immersion heater.

The first bedroom is the same size as the lounge and has fantastic elevated views over the sea and the lough.

And next door is a shower room with pedestal basin and low flush toilet.

The landing, on the second floor, has plenty of cupboard space cleverly hidden under the eaves.

The second bedroom, with an attractive gun port window, measures 12ft 2in by 9ft 2in and also boasts sea views.

Then it's straight up to the third floor where there is another spacious bedroom measuring 12ft 2in square.

There are shared lawns to the front of the house with tarmac parking to the side and the rear garden has been covered in coloured stone chips for easy care.

The house is currently home to Ray Waring who is semi-retired.

He bought the place eight years ago after finding it in a terrible state of repair.

"I found the Watchtower one day while I was out for a drive with my daughter," he says.

"I was looking for a house to buy but I never imagined I would find anything this perfect. It was a mess but there was something about it that I loved.

"I was drawn to the coastguard cottages and I knew I could turn the Watchtower into a home.

"At the time I had been searching for a property that I could spend a lot of time on and fix up to a style I liked, but when I actually got going it was pretty hard.

"There was a lot of work that I had to get experts to do. We had to be careful because the cottages are all listed and the exterior cannot be changed.

THE Watchtower was derelict when I saw it nine years ago and I knew I had to buy it and turn it into my new project.

"The cottages were designed 200 years ago for Customs and Excise officers and were used as billets for single working men.

"I spent about six years working on the house, but now I have decided it is time to move closer to my daughter in Athlone.

"I'll be sad to sell up but I'll just have to move on to my next project.

"I'm looking for another place which will give me the privacy and tranquillity of the Watchtower.

"It has been a great pleasure living here but it's time for me to move closer to my family."

HOW TO VIEW

Halifax Property Services,

10 High Street,

Carrickfergus,

Co Antrim.

01960 351727

PRICE: Over pounds 75,000

Copyright 1998 MGN LTD
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