Historic Fermain tower ready to take its first paying guests
A HISTORIC loophole tower has been transformed into a unique holiday home, which will start hosting its first guests this week.
The National Trust of Guernsey took on the dilapidated tower at Fermain last January.
Since then it has been transformed from a damp granite shell into a modern one-bedroom property with rooftop views of the beach.
Trust president Tony Spruce was pleased the work was complete.
‘It’s a wonderful feeling,’ he said. ‘Everyone has put in so much work and effort. We are really pleased with the final finish.’
The project has cost more than £200,000. Half of the money has come from donors, while the rest came from the trust’s savings.
R.G. Philips was the main contractor, with CCD as the architect.
The tower had to be dried out before being repointed and modernised with water, electricity, radiators and wi-fi.
Due to its circular shape, furniture had to be custom-made and the design had to make best use of the limited space.
In the basement is a wet room with underfloor heating.
On the ground floor is the kitchen/dining area, with a narrow circular staircase leading up to the first floor, which has a sofa bed under the domed brick roof.
A glass hatch on the roof can be opened and a ladder used to reach the roof, from where visitors can watch the sunrise.
The trust council members have been testing the site for snagging in recent weeks and have said it is a special place to stay.
They noted particularly that having breakfast on the roof of the tower as the sun rose was a special experience.
The tower will be available to book 365 days a year, so guests can stay over Christmas.
It costs £180 per night for a couple, with a minimum two-night stay.
Mr Spruce said this charge would allow them to cover their costs.
‘It is an expensive building to upkeep and manage,’ he said.
‘We don’t expect to make a tremendous amount of money, but it will make the tower available to the public.’
A maximum of two people can stay there, with a minimum age of 25. No pets are allowed and any guests need to be able-bodied, with ladders used to get between some floors.
Space is tight and any visitors are encouraged to pack light. Everything, except food, is provided.
This includes eye masks, as the small loophole windows do not have curtains.
Tower guests will be given a permit to drive to it and park in a dedicated space.
As the local trust does not operate any other holiday homes, the managing of the tower is being undertaken by Guernsey Self Catering.
n Reservations for the Fermain Tower can be made by contacting the trust’s booking office at Guernsey Self Catering by calling 237491 or emailing reservations@selfcatering.gg.
n To view a video of the tower, visit the Guernsey Press Facebook page.
