An RAF control tower, once a key operational site during World War II bombing raids against Germany, is now on the market as a distinctive four-bedroom house in Tholthorpe, North Yorkshire. The property, listed for £900,000, has undergone extensive renovation while retaining historical elements.
Originally constructed in 1943 for the nearby RAF Tholthorpe base, the tower played a significant role in the war effort, with aircraft operating from the site participating in raids such as the Battle of Berlin. Following the war's conclusion, the base was decommissioned, and the tower was adapted for various agricultural and industrial purposes before its potential use for private aviation in the 1980s. Planning permission was later granted to convert the control room into a private residence.
The current owners have spent years restoring the property, incorporating modern amenities while preserving its historic character. New aluminum double-glazed windows and doors have been installed to emulate the original Crittall designs, and contemporary kitchens and bathrooms have been fitted.
The home is designed in an upside-down layout. The ground floor features three of the four bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. Upstairs, a second living room-kitchen-diner area includes a log burner and access to a wrap-around balcony. This upper level also contains an additional bedroom, a study, and a bathroom. The property listing suggests the upstairs living area could potentially serve as a self-contained Airbnb apartment.
From the roof, an observation tower offers panoramic views of the Yorkshire countryside, with an RAF flag still displayed. Outside, the property includes enclosed grounds with a double garage, a vegetable garden, a lawn, and an outdoor kitchen with a patio.
The Control Tower is situated approximately a 15-minute walk from the village of Tholthorpe and 12 miles north of the city of York. The nearest train station, offering direct services to Leeds and York, is about a 20-minute drive away.
A commemorative plaque, donated by former servicemen over 25 years ago, remains on the building. The owners have previously hosted visits from former servicemen and their relatives, contributing to the preservation of the site's history. The listing describes the Control Tower as a "rare opportunity to acquire not simply a house, but a home of genuine historical significance."
