The Windmill Suffolk
About a two-hour drive from London, this unusual structure hides in the East Anglia, where pasturelands extend as far as the eye can see. Suffolk's iconic building was once an industrial tool that was turned into a boutique getaway for those interested in quirky architecture and a taste of country living.
Cockfield's last windmill to get erected deceives with its modern retrofit, but it was originally built in 1891. Once its days of milling were over, it was turned into a water tower to store water for the small local community.
After Steve and Natalie Roberts decided to move to Suffolk, they discovered an advertisement for a property featuring a farmhouse, a granary, and a windmill. At that time, the windmill was mostly just a bare frame, with one large window and several smaller ones punctuating its empty structure.
Shaped like a helmet, the water storage built on top of the windmill in 1922 inspired the modern hideaway tower that stands today. Sitting atop the dark brick base, the quirky top is made of zinc.
With its shiny gray head, it stands out in rural Suffolk as a sizably grown mushroom after heavy rain. The owners simply called it the "POD".
The big glass-walled entrance leads you into the rounded kitchen/dining room - with a fitting oval table - where you can prepare a delicious mushroom pudding and wash it down with a glass of Moët champagne.
The bed, the headboard, and the nightstands are all curved to fit into this rounded space.
The bathroom's pretty freestanding bathtub is one of those places where you enjoy your time when there isn't much to see from the windows anymore.
Oh, and it's large enough for two (or a bunch of balloons)!
The living space of "POD" is on the fourth floor, and if you enjoy gazing at endless fields and picture-perfect sunsets, this is where you will spend most of your time.
The ceiling is fitted with wood all around, creating a cozy and nice-smelling environment for grabbing a book and spreading out on the comfy L-shaped sofa.
There is a fridge on the floor, too, so you can keep your drinks nicely chilled without needing to go up and down.
The balcony is protected from rain, and it's the best spot for a hot morning coffee!
