Fermain Tower
Perched above Fermain Bay, this near-derelict 18th-century tower has been transformed into one of the Channel Islands’ smallest and most characterful self-catering retreats, where contemporary design meets rugged military heritage.
- Category: commercial, heritage
- Awards: 2019 Guernsey Construction Awards - Engineering Project of the Year
When Fermain Tower was bequeathed to the National Trust of Guernsey in 2002, it stood in near-derelict condition. Originally destined to be repaired and opened as a historic attraction, a new solution was found that would both conserve the tower and make it accessible to the wider community.
The result is a bespoke conversion into a unique self-catering retreat. Within its compact circular plan, a contemporary fit-out has been designed to sit apart from the historic fabric, retaining the essence of the tower’s rugged character while offering the comforts of modern living. Old and new are set in deliberate contrast, their dialogue evident throughout.
Accommodation spans three floors and a roof terrace, connected by custom-designed ladders and a central staircase. This staircase embodies the ingenuity required: precisely tailored to the tower’s dimensions, it integrates storage and a kitchenette, while being fabricated in parts small enough to pass through the narrow entrance.
The tower’s physical constraints—scale, access, and status as a Protected Monument—demanded close collaboration between architects, engineers, contractors, and specialist craftsmen. Together, the team found inventive solutions to every challenge, ensuring that Fermain Tower is both conserved and reimagined: a monument reborn as a remarkable place to stay.
