What Would You Do With This?
I was browsing through our South West pages today in search of a wreck when I came across this three-sided curiosity.
It’s the entrance to a now defunct underground reservoir and was originally commissioned by the Duke of Bedfordshire (more here: Legendary Dartmoor).
Being a duke (ie: minted) he didn’t employ some local brickie to knock a few walls together. Gad no. He commissioned Edwin Lutyens, the uber architect of the Edwardian era.
Lutyens came up with this charming little fairytale structure using slate and Hurdwick stone. The simplicity of circle surrounding triangle gives it a strangely occult vibe – you wouldn’t be surprised to see Gandalf stepping out the front door.
It measures 40′x40′, is 11′ deep and is known locally (and unflatteringly) as The Pimple.
With a £10,000 price tag it’s hugely tempting, so much so that we’re half thinking of having a whip around here in the sumptuously appointed FAP Editorial Suite (that kind of money would barely cover our monthly biscuit delivery from Harrods).
But we have a problem. What on earth would we do with it?
Suggestions please!
The Pimple is being sold by Ward & Chowen, Tavistock (Tel: 0845 437 5766).
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Well I think it’s obvious. This place smacks of Secret Underground Crimefighting Lair. Clearly one of you needs to become a vigilante-style superhero. You know – Duck Man… The Winged Wonder… The Feathered Avenger… The Semi-Aquatic Scourge… that sort of thing.
I can confirm that it has now been purchased for an undisclosed sum by someone unknown, who wishes to keep it as it is. I believe it is grade 2 listed so I guess there is no real alternative use for it anyway! It’s on Whitchurch Down just to the east of Tavistock.