Some houses are so distinctive that they are surely likely to stop passers-by from walking by, demanding that they stop to have a better look at an intriguing facade.
But most of these unusual abodes won't be able to boast a castle tower complete with battlements that this late Victorian house can.
This truly unique home has a corner of its floorplan dedicated to a three-storey tower, which has castellations at the top and a hidden basement below - or is it a castle dungeon?
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The castle tower creates an immediate point of interest, but the whole house is definitely a stunner ready to be renovated and revived.
The 10-bed property called Larkfield House in Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy was most recently a residential care home but it has had a long and eventful history that's as unique as its design.
According to Cadw, although appearing to be Arts & Crafts with noticeable features usually attributed to the era, it is thought the house is more likely to have been built in late Victorian times, as it can be found on the 1888 Ordnance Survey map.
In 1909 it was sold to Lancashire stockbroker Joseph Marsland who commissioned notable architect G. H. Willoughby to make alterations and additions, such as the castle tower which is thought to have been a nod to nearby Conwy castle.
The history of the house does have a cloak of mystery about it, as locally it is said that the house was at some time the former home of the Cayley family, who were prominent landowners in the area.
The most famous of the Cayley clan was Sir George Cayley who is said to have designed a viable flying machine called the Cayley Flyer that could carry a person's weight in 1853 - 50 years before the Wright brothers.
However, Cadw has questioned this, saying within documentation that there is no evidence that Sir George ever visited the area.
In November 2019 the local council received a planning application from Cartrefi Conwy to demolish the house and nearby St Trillo's church hall and replace them with 17 one and two bed apartments.
Campaigners Friends of Larkfield House began the battle against the development, arguing the structure was of historical significance and should be a listed building with the protection that offers.
But in October 2020 it was announced by Cadw that Larkfield House was not proposed for listing.
The reasons cited are many, but the main one appears to be the castle tower.
The announcement stating that Larkfield House is 'a building in two parts that do not form a stylistically unified whole. Weaknesses in the original design have been compounded by some unsympathetic alterations'.
So not everyone loves the castle tower. But if the decision to list Larkfield House was based solely on the love local people have shown the property, it might have achieved it.
After meeting concerned residents, in 2020 Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar called on the Heritage Minister to urgently intervene to safeguard the house.
In September 2020 it was reported that the demolition application had been withdrawn and the site sold.
The next significant chapter happens when a planning committee decision in June 2021 was reported to have approved change of use of the property, with conditions, from a care home to dwellings.
The planning decision was for the 'conversion of the nursing home into three dwellings, external alterations to building, erection of double garage and alterations to vehicular access' - see application 0/47933 on Conwy County Council's website for further details.
So it appears Larkfield House is not heading for an unhappy ending in landfill but instead can be reimagined into three amazing homes.
The house is just a stroll away from the beach in the Conwy coastal village of Rhos-on-Sea, which has become an increasingly popular location for people considering moving to a new home.
Rightmove have reported that Rhos-on-Sea has topped their list across the whole of the UK for increases in searches on the site compared with 2020.
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The property portal says searches for this Welsh coastal town increased more than nine times (+858%) compared to the previous year, catapulting it to the top position.
So the location ticks a box but what is a buyer going to get if they become the next owner of Larkfield House?
Currently the ground floor comprises two spacious reception rooms, a kitchen diner, a number of smaller rooms that were probably once offices and three ensuite bedrooms, one of which can boast the tower in the corner.
The first floor has five ensuite bedrooms, plus two bedrooms with a neighbouring bathroom nearby each.
Again, one of the bedrooms can make use of the circular tower space - surely a fantastic area to put a reading nook or a dressing table?
The top floor has a further two rooms that each have an ensuite toilet and share a central shower room.
One of these rooms has access to the incredible roof terrace, which includes the top of the castle tower, where a panoramic 360 degree view of the village includes a sparkling sea view that hugs the horizon.
Inside there are numerous Arts & Crafts style features to love, such as the stained glass windows, the feature fireplaces and, of course, the castle tower.
The plans approved by the local council are for the creation of three new homes within the current property, so it appears Larkfield House had a narrow escape.
Now it is looking for a historic house hero to complete the property's happy ever after, fairytale ending, renovating and converting it into three unique homes, one that can boast that very special castle tower.
Larkfield House is on the market for £370,000 with estate agent Anthony Flint, call their Llandudno branch on 01492 877418 to find out more.
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