White Tower

This 1898 house, known as White Tower, was designed by architect John Cyril Hawes as a seaside residence for himself and his brothers. It was constructed to overlook the original Rock Gardens and provide a sea view, taking the form of a tower. The exterior is stuccoed, with incised lines to resemble masonry, and has a tiled roof. The main tower comprises four storeys, with a sloping base and a triple casement window with leaded lights on each floor. A narrower staircase tower, with a gabled tiled roof and slit windows with leaded lights, is set back to the right corner. The doorcase features a flat wooden hood supported by two grotesque brackets. A two-storey section at the rear houses a kitchen on the ground floor and a sitting room above, with casement windows. A contemporary wood and glazed lean-to conservatory is attached to the left side. Inside, the hall features dado panelling and round-headed arches, while the sitting room contains built-in wooden cupboards. A dog-leg staircase ascends through the building, becoming progressively narrower towards the top, and includes a series of two-panelled doors and built-in sliding sashes.