House in the Clouds

The House in the Clouds is a former water tower in Thorpeness that now serves as a residence with living spaces stacked on top of its supporting structure. The building rises well above surrounding trees with angled windows that frame views from different levels.

The building was constructed in 1923 by architect Frederick Forbes Glennie as a water storage facility for the planned village of Thorpeness. After the tank was removed in 1979, it transitioned to residential use and was designated as a protected heritage structure in 1995 due to its architectural merit.

This building shows how architects in the early 1900s combined everyday needs with bold design choices in the English countryside. It represents a time when industrial structures could be reshaped into something unexpected and special for people to live in.

Access to the upper levels involves climbing stairs through multiple floors to reach the observation areas. These higher points offer sweeping views across the Suffolk landscape and toward the nearby golf course.

The interior retains traces of its original industrial purpose, showing how the building was carefully adapted to serve as living quarters. Visitors exploring the different levels can sense how a purely functional structure was transformed into a home.

Location: Aldringham cum Thorpe

Inception: 1923

Architects: Frederick Forbes Glennie

Made from material: steel, clapboard, pantile

Website: http://houseintheclouds.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 52.18190,1.60944

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02