A LANDMARK Barry building is destined to go under the hammer as the Vale Council attempts to flog it at auction later this month.

The 19th century grade II-listed Watchtower, at Cold Knap, will be put before bidders having gone on the market with Paul Fosh Auctions.

And it could be up for grabs for as little as a £1,000.

Auctioneer Paul Fosh said the unique building could be the ideal base for a poet to carry on a tradition of South Wales coastal-inspired poetry.

The two-storey limestone turret, standing on the foreshore at Watchtower Bay, constructed around 1860 as a coastguard station and partly built into the cliff embankment, is being sold on behalf of its local authority owners.

The Watchtower is listed for sale at Paul Fosh Auctions on Thursday, March 27.

From Paul Fosh Auctions, Newport, managing director Paul Fosh said: “We’ve certainly sold a whole range of unusual buildings over the years but this is something a little bit special and really out of the ordinary.

“The Watchtower, which is based within the Barry Marine Conservation Area, has a boat entry at the ground level which is secured by a roller shutter.

“The watchtower would appeal perhaps to an artist, painter or even perhaps a poet.

“Dylan Thomas had his Boathouse bolt hole at Laugharne which isn’t that far down the coast from Barry.”

The watchtower goes under the hammer at The Park Inn Hotel, Circle Way East, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, from 5pm on Thursday, March 27.