Dylan Thomas Had His Boat House, Now You Can Have Your Own Watchtower

Watchtower - a word made famous in modern times by Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan, and now one that could play an important part on your life, particularly if you looking for a bolthole to encourage your artistic nature.
A nineteenth century watchtower is becoming available for auction on the 27th March at a nominal guide price of £1,000, and the auctioneer involved is convinced that the lot could be a star attraction.

Could this be where you write your blockbuster?

The turret stands on the foreshore at Watchtower Bay at Cold Knap in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, and Paul Fosh who will be wielding the gavel feels that the old coastguard station could provide 21st Century inspiration.

The Grade-2 listed two-storey tower, built in about 1860 as a coastguard station and partly constructed into the cliff embankment, is being sold for current owners, the Vale of Glamorgan council.

"It was thought that the watchtower was no longer required when the larger Barry Docks was developed," said Paul.  "We've certainly sold a whole range of unusual buildings over the years but this is something a little bit special. The watchtower, which is based within the Barry Marine Conservation Area, has a boat entry at the ground level which is secured by a roller shutter."
There is no land with the property, and Paul says that it is not known whether the building had electricity or running water connected, but he says it would make an ideal bolthole for someone artistic.

"Standing on the foreshore and looking over the bay, it really is an amazing spot for anyone seeking artistic inspiration. I would think that the watchtower would appeal perhaps to an artist, painter or even perhaps a poet, after all Dylan Thomas had his boathouse bolt hole at Laugharne which isn't that far down the coast from Barry, where he wrote some of his best loved and world famous poetry."

              More information about the Watch Tower from the Auctioneers Catalogue