Stockland: thriving and pretty village (church, PO, cricket ground, good food pub, annual Spring Bank Holiday fair) with thatched cottages in rolling countryside, 8 miles north-east of Honiton (mainline railway station) and 4 miles from the nearest main road. Axminster (small town renowned for carpets), 9 miles; Exeter airport, 16; the sea/beaches at Branscombe, 12; pretty Lyme Regis, 14; and Sidmouth (attractive Regency resort), 17.

... 2 miles north-east of Stockland stands Rower Fort, part stone castellated tower and part thatched farmhouse. The farmhouse was formerly in the estate of Sir Francis Drake; its folly castellations (formerly the gamekeeper’s lookout) were first built around 1827. The original tower was mostly destroyed by fire, and rebuilt about 10 years ago. From its elevated position (600’ above the surrounding countryside) it commands outstanding panoramic views over the Blackdown Hills and south to the sea at Seaton. On top of the tower, within the battlements, is an open-air hot tub, the most remarkably sited one we’ve ever come across, from which you can gaze over the countryside. There are 12 acres to roam (woods/fields), including a nature trail, a terrace (table/chairs, barbecue) from which to enjoy wonderful views, a large trampoline, sometimes a World War II tank on which to clamber. Sounds fun? Read on ...

Inside, the Fort is even more extraordinary eclectic in style, totally eccentric and wacky, original and imaginative, with state-of-the-art music systems, wireless internet connection, and full Sky TV package. The Rapunzel-like tower, which gives access to the farmhouse at ground and second floor levels.

The tower is on 6 levels:

Basement: games room (pool table) with vaulted ceiling and oil ‘woodburner’; loo (washbasin) and washer-drier.

Ground floor: entrance hall/sitting room with sofa/chairs, enormous stone fireplace (open fire) and door to farmhouse.

First floor: master double bedroom (5’ bed) with smart en suite bathroom (suite with cast iron roll-top bath, colourful Mexican basin, Italian marble tiles).

Second floor: sitting room (sofas, music system, home cinema, CD/MP3/radio and door to farmhouse) and small double bedroom (access to one side of bed only) with phone boxes as wardrobe and shower (no loo).

Third floor: small gallery double bedroom (access to one side of ornate iron bed only) above the sitting room (screened by curtains and a mahogany oriental screen) with en suite bathroom (suite with short cast iron roll-top bath and stunning views down the valley from floor to ceiling window).

Battlements: stairs (lockable) up to the battlements with the hot tub, sound system and 360 views.

The main living area is in the farmhouse, on 3 floors:

Ground floor: the main entrance leads into large, English oak fitted kitchen/diner (Aga plus electric hob, dishwasher, microwave, fridge-freezer, Belfast sink) with farmhouse table; loo (washbasin) with washing machine; and living room with enormous oak-beamed inglenook fireplace (open fire) and extraordinary carved Indian swing.

First floor: two bedrooms

Large double (5’ bed)

A bathroom (suite)

Second floor: two more bedrooms in the eaves (low beams)

A double (steps up to 4’9 oak platform bed) with en suite bathroom (suite with cast iron roll-top bath, Italian tiles) and door into the tower’s second floor sitting room

A double (platform bed) with adjoining bathroom (suite, low beams).

That’s seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, one shower and seven loos.

The owner can arrange a variety of activities including, by prior arrangement, a flight in a light aircraft over the local area, or to France and the Channel Islands; karting at nearby Dunkeswell (track owned by Nigel Mansell); a ride in a historic World War II Sherman tank; golf nearby.

This is a quite unique and special place to stay, particularly good for adventurous families and for those who want somewhere different for celebrating. Catering (frozen meals) by arrangement. No smoking. Payphone. Cautionary Deposit £500. Arrival after 4pm.