It's not just fairy tale character Rapunzel that gets an exclusive on living in a tower - real people have that option too, and they don't even need really long hair to climb up the tower on the outside as most towers come with stairs inside.
To find a house that has its own tower somewhere within its overall design is rare, finding a tower that is the total home is even harder to find. But imagine if you can bag yourself this type of building as your abode - you could rightly claim to live in a truly unique property and a perfect partner for a property happy ever after.
Nestled in the centre of a very special coastal mansion is a four-storey, four bedroom home that could be the tower you're looking for, perfect for panoramic sea views from the roof terrace.
READ MORE: The seaside fixer-upper with the most stunning sea view
This tallest section of this impressive property is the most dominant feature of Llanfair Hall, a historic coastal manor house in Gwynedd that is cloaked in history.
According to website British Listed Buildings, the site has been a home since the 16th century when it was owned by the Griffiths family, who were staunch royalists during the civil war. But the origins of the current house are said to date back firstly the early 18th century with subsequent additions and alterations during the 19th century.
The oldest section of the house that occupies the site today is the south east wing, with the tower thought to have been added between 1860 and 1880. It was constructed as a 'belvedere tower', added to the house to provide breath-taking views across the Menai Strait and the Isle of Anglesey; and it definitely does that.
With its history and unique design, it's not a shock to discover that Llanfair Hall was Grade II listed in 1994, amended in 1997, for being 'a country house distinctively remodelled in the 19th century, with surviving interiors, and retaining a fine panelled early 18th century room'.
But it's not the only listed building onsite. Within the truly enchanting gardens and grounds there's a coach-house and also a game larder, a small domestic outbuilding used to store hunted deer, birds and game in a cool environment.
Both of these extra buildings were given Grade II listings at the same time as the mansion, the coach house for its group value on the site and the game larder for being 'a rare surviving example of the estate game-larder in a picturesque Gothic style'.
According to the Cadw listing, the manor house was divided into three homes within the main building in 1953, with arguably the prize pick of the trio for many people being the tower for its distinct design and the views from the top of the structure.
The grounds that surround the house are a wonderful journey through nature and wildlife, but each home has its own private, perfect parcel of paradise, with multiple levels of terraces and patios, foliage and planting, steps to lower areas, and very special sea views.
There's even a right-of-way access through the neighbouring fields to the Menai Straits, where you can launch your kayak or windsurfing kit and enjoy the flat water conditions. And if you need some training or practice before you venture out onto the water, the next neighbour along the coastline is Plas Menai Outdoor Centre - very handy indeed.
By now, any visitor will be almost bursting with anticipation to see inside the tower, and you don't have to persuade Rapunzel to let down her golden hair from the top window to gain access - just use the front door - and when you push it open the enchanting tower tour truly begins.
According to the joint agents selling this stunner by the sea, the belvedere tower was renovated throughout in 2020. Updates include a full rewiring, newly fitted oil central heating, and bathrooms, with the kitchen about to undergo a refurbishment in time for a sale completion.
Original features such as the bespoke cast iron traditional freestanding radiators, hardwood exposed timber floor boards, coving, high skirting boards, high ceilings, and sash windows have been retained and are the characterful backdrop to create your own personal coastal haven surrounded by your chosen interior design style.
The tower is a charming home that does its own thing, so the front door gets you straight into the kitchen, but if you want to view that space it looks like you will have to book a viewing, as there don't appear to be any photos available of this room.
However, inspecting the floorplan the kitchen space looks generous, spanning the whole width of the tower, and looks light too, with two large sash, multi-paned windows offering views of the courtyard where lucky home owners park their cars.
The kitchen then leads into an inner hallway and the substantial and characterful panelled staircase that starts the impressive climb up to each wonderful new level to explore. But before the first floor can tempt you, a wander into the rear reception room is a must.
Even with the home almost packed up and ready to change owners, and being sold with no on-going chain, the space oozes a warm atmosphere and undeniable character. The visually warm-tone stripped floorboards are joined by the hefty log burner nestled in a fireplace in the corner, throwing out enough heat to easily warm the space.
The garden and sea view beckon via the two sets of French doors which also allow easy visual and physical access, flanked by the stunning original shutters, stripped back to reveal their beautiful natural wood.
The doors are enticing you out, but there are three more floors and a roof terrace to find first, so a refreshing drink on the terrace while you drink in the special views will have to wait.
The ground floor also offers a handy bathroom and utility room off the inner hall, before the stairs get you to the first floor. On this level the simple, stripped back and white-washed decor continues, peppered with period features and oozing potential to make it your own within this blank canvas cocoon.
The tower currently has four bedrooms sprawling over three floors, but the property is so versatile each room could be a reception room, a slumber space, a gym or games room, home office or library - the lucky new owner can have the best fun deciding how to use each floor of the tower to fit their lifestyle, needs and wants.
There's a bedroom at the front of the tower on the first floor that might not have a sea view but it does have charm thanks to the period fireplace, sash window and ceiling beams.
This bedrooms could be the perfect place for a quiet home office, away from the entrancing sea view at the back of the tower.
That sea view is easily absorbed though from the other bedroom on this level, at the rear of the structure, from a duo of windows that are crying out to be joined by a cosy armchair or chaise lounge positioned at the window as a perfect spot to linger.
There's so much space in this bedroom adding numerous pieces of furniture is not a problem, but the space gets even bigger as you go up to the next two floors.
Passing a handy bathroom on this first floor you might see an extra room that is described as a study on the floorplan but as it doesn't have any windows would surely make the perfect cinema room if this is a particular craving for the new owner who loves movies and watching sport on a big screen.
Up to the second floor and a substantial bedroom replicates the coastal views from the bedroom below but adds even more space, and is currently a gym space, with surely the most amazing view from any static bike in the area.
And so to the top floor - well, the top floor for internal space at least - and it's a wonderful room. Spacious to the maximum as it occupies the whole of the width and depth of the tower, and bathed in a flood of light from windows plus the big and beautiful roof lantern above.
The fab four arched windows add another layer of unexpected charm that is matched and added to by the substantial marble fireplace. Both features combine to maybe make this room more appropriate as a wonderful sitting room at the top of the tower, rather than the master bedroom.
Now, maybe, the moment that the tour has been building up to - the climb to the roof terrace. The unique selling point of this home is a totally mesmerising and immersive experience, surrounded by 360 degrees of panoramic vistas across the water to Anglesey and across the land towards Snowdonia.
It's the perfect place for a unique party and social gatherings but can also provide the solitude that few homes can offer to silently watch the sun set over this glorious Welsh landscape from a very elevated position.
How could anyone ever get bored of sitting up here, looking out over the ever-changing, ever-enthralling landscape that nature and the location is offering? From wildlife to weather, birds soaring by to spotting the rooftops of buildings, activities on the water to wonderful moments spent with family and friends up here - all memories to last a lifetime thanks to your own fairytale tower.
The belvedere tower at Llanfair Hall, located between Y Felinheli and Griffiths Crossing and near Caernarfon, Gwynedd is for sale for £785,000 with agents Varcity Living Bangor (01248 719254) and Rhosneigr Property (01407 810824) - call either to find out more. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, auction properties, renovation stories, and interiors - join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, sent to your inbox twice a week.
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