The Rocket Carthouse

An iconic grade II listed building on the outskirts of Angle, The Rocket Carthouse was once the Coastguard watchtower, and the property enjoys panoramic sea views from nearly every window.

The hallway at the base of the tower leads through to the unique open plan living space with lovely bespoke wooden block flooring, comfortable seating and a beautifully appointed compact kitchen with dining table to enjoy family meals round. The best spot to relax has to be the wonderful window seat with its super views over the water, this converts to a bed so you can lie back and watch the lights twinkle in an evening across the water or wake to the sun shining on the water, a truly unique experience, this bed is sure to be fought over. Alternatively, open tread stairs lead from the living space to the master double bedroom with its stunning sea views, even the ensuite bathroom offers a glorious aspect over Angle Bay.

A patio door from the living space leads out to the enclosed garden that wraps around the property, dine alfresco on the paved patio as you admire the sea views over the fields. 

Unfortunately, while the tower has been restored, at the present time it is no longer accessible to guests. However, this iconic historical building remains truly unique and offers the opportunity to holiday in a well-known and characterful property steeped in history with glorious sea views.

Set on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, the walking is incredible with a number of stunning beaches nearby including West Angle Bay with its beachside café, Wave Crest, enjoy cliff top walks around the headland or safe swimming on its sandy beach. The village of Angle with its village pub is only 1.5 miles away, alternatively head to Freshwater West, this beach is popular with serious surfers and was also the setting for the movies Robin Hood and Harry Potter. Beautiful Barafundle Beach is well worth a visit or head to Bosherston and stroll around the beautiful Lily Ponds to Broad Haven South Beach, continue on along the coastal path to take in St Govans, the tiny medieval chapel nestling in the cliffs and the Green Bridge of Wales. The coastline is dramatic and the birdlife renowned with guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, choughs and gannets, to name but a few. 

The area is perfect for keen sailors with the sheltered waterway ideal for kayaking and canoeists with a number of accessible launch sites nearby. The historical town of Pembroke, birth place of Henry VII with its majestic Castle is well worth a visit and offers a range of pubs, restaurants and shops to explore.               

A truly unusual property in a stunning location with amazing views as well as a wonderful history. 

NO CHILDREN UNDER 7 YEARS EXCEPT FOR BABES IN ARMS.

The History of the The Rocket Carthouse (Board of Trade Rocket Apparatus Station no. 11): It was built at the end of the nineteenth century and was the base for the coastguard cliff-rescue team with rockets, lines and breeches buoys. It was in use by the Board of Trade until the 1930s, with a team of about 20 rescuers. It was listed in 1996 as a very prominent local landmark on a raised vantage point and as a significant monument to the Coastguard Service. The original photograph of the team is in Angle Village Hall. The rockets were transported to the site of disaster on a horse drawn cart and fired towards the ship in distress carrying a line to secure the breeches buoy to rescue passengers and crew. This is how the house got its name.

The living room was originally where the cart which carried the rockets was kept. The property was originally owned by the Mirehouse family and leased to the Board of Trade. The Mirehouse family still own most of the Angle Estate. It was bought from the Campbells of Stackpole (later to become the Earls of Cawdor) in 1805. The Stackpole Estate is now a National Trust property. A Colonel Mirehouse built many of the houses in Angle village, whose style is echoed in the lookout tower of The Rocket Carthouse. It is believed he did so to remind himself of his time in India.

Angle is not a typical sprawling Welsh community but has evolved from the original Norman feudal system of strip farming and much of the village community make their living working for the Estate. It is believed that the Estate was originally a gift to a knight after the Norman Conquest. The previous owners extended The Rocket Carthouse and the current owners completed its renovation by restoring the tower to its former glory within the confines of its listed status. Unfortunately, at the present time the tower is not accessible to guests due to fire escape requirements.