One of the great joys of Grand Designs is watching people look at random things strewn around the countryside and decide that, yes, in fact, I could turn that into a home, at great personal cost. Just this season, we’ve had a couple look at a coastguard station and go: ‘that would make a great house’. On Wednesday, a couple looked at a water tower, which is a giant structure used to hold water, and saw, instead, a potential home.
To be fair to Tassy and Adam, they are not the first people to try and convert a water tower into a home. Who can forget the glorious Kennington example from Episode 100? As you might have surmised by now, however, renovating a water tower is not exactly easy. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone had done it for you, and you could just move in?
Good news. You could buy this finished example in Devon right now, through Knight Frank, for £1.4 million. No stress. No builders. No Kevin sniffing around your wardrobes. Just move in right now. Job done.
Looking around the aptly named Water Tower, you do start to understand why people are so drawn to water towers in general and want to live in them. 360º living and views. Pretty much guaranteed no leaks.
This specimen offers five bedrooms and three bathrooms over its three floors. On the ground floor, a spacious entrance hall, two bedrooms and a study. First floor, an enormous principal bedroom, two more bedrooms. Top floor. Well, well well. Let the pictures do the talking.
Yes, you guessed it, an entire floor dedicated as a kitchen/dining/sitting room. Imagine the parties. Maybe I should buy a water tower and renovate it. No, stop it. Remember Tassy and Adam.
The property also features a garage on its plot, and is achingly close to the coast, so much so that you can see it from the top floor. The historic fishing village of Clovelly, with its range of amenities, is only two miles away, and the area is famed for its cliff-top walks. A real haven in North Devon. And you don’t have to renovate it yourself.
The essence of perfection: A modern Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in Surrey
Someone has been studying Country Life — This Arts-and-Crafts home near Godalming was crafted under the watchful eye of some
Credit: James Baily/Lurot Brand
A crumbling, one bedroom wreck with an energy efficiency rating of 1 out of 100, yours for £2.25 million... but what a location
The opportunity to create a dream home in Maida Vale's most sought after mews doesn't come along all that often,
You had me at merlot: The rise of English wine and what it means for the countryside
For the first time, the UK is home to more than 1,000 vineyards — and counting.
-
Omani tourism is booming and this one-of-a-kind hotel — with exquisite marble swimming pools dedicated murshid guides — shows whyThe Malkai, a collection of three tented camps spread out across Oman, is one of the travel industry's most anticipated openings of 2026.
-
What Britain's top garden designers are planting now to create dazzling spring meadows around their homesNon Morris reveals the techniques behind the contemporary take on William Robinson’s original idea of naturalising bulbs in long grass, creating an effect even more dazzling than a meadow.
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castleFrom hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
-
How to buy a house at auctionBuying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same timeThe houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
-
Living on the edge? A lighthouse for sale on a clifftop on one of the most remote islands in BritainBressay Lighthouse was built by the father and uncle of the 'Treasure Island' author.
-
Alan Titchmarsh is selling his Hampshire home (and the garden that comes with it): Exclusive pictures and interviewAfter many happy years in Hampshire, the writer, broadcaster and national treasure Alan Titchmarsh is selling up and looking to move. He spoke to Penny Churchill about his years at Manor Farm House.
-
A Lake District escape with views that will make you feel like the king of all you can seeMellguards's many guest rooms and dual staircases make this property perfect for people who love to host, but tire of their guests quickly.
-
One of Yorkshire's great houses, burnt to the ground three generations ago, is back on its feet and on the market for the sixth time in a millenniumPenny Churchill looks at Riseborough Hall, a great house, rich with fascinating history and beautifully apportioned, which burnt to the ground but rose again.
-
Seven magnificent homes from Cumbria to Devon, as seen in Country LifeOur regular look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past few weeks takes in a breathtaking Lake District house and a superb home in Northamptonshire.
