Towerview

One of a distinctive group of chalets found along the waterways of the Broads. Towerview was built in the early C20, apparently from components made by Boulton & Paul, with added timberwork.

MATERIALS: the building is constructed of wood and the roof is covered in corrugated metal.

EXTERIOR: the building is a single storey high and four bays wide with small projections to each end. The walls are clad in weatherboarding (vertical painted wooden boards to the south, east and west, horizontal composite boards to the north). All the roofs are pitched and covered in corrugated metal; they have turned finials at each apex and their ends are protected by barge boards with moulded cornices.

The principal south elevation has a verandah which wraps around the western end of the building. At the centre of the elevation is a dormer window that gives the (false) impression of an attic storey. The verandah roof has scalloped fascia boards and is supported on posts with cusped braces. A balustrade with groups of three balusters runs around the outer edge of the verandah. Sheltered by the verandah are three bay windows and one flush window. The entrance is off-centre, through a pair of French doors, reflecting the structure of the Boulton and Paul units. The windows are leaded casements in wooden frames. The flush window has three transom lights.

The west elevation has a small projecting 'tackle room', above which is a uPVC casement window. The east elevation also projects outwards and has a single doorway with an upper window (a pair of wooden, four-light casements). The north elevation includes a late-C20 extension at the left (east) and a stove-pipe. It is clad in horizontal composite weatherboard and the windows have been replaced in uPVC.

INTERIOR: throughout the interior there is a mix of original and later joinery details. Some original features include the moulded battens found on the walls and ceiling of the principal living space, and the reed and bead matchboard panelling found on the ceilings and walls of some bedroom and corridor areas. While many of the floors and walls have had additional coverings placed over them (including diagonal beaded matchboard panels), the original surfaces survive beneath. Original windows retain moulded surrounds internally and metal handles. The bathroom and kitchen have had their fixtures changed serially and are of lesser interest.