I bought a WW2 tank, ambulance & watch tower & now rent them out as holiday homes | The Sun

IF you've ever wanted to stay in a WW2 tank, army ambulance, or RAF watchtower, then now's your chance.

Farmer Will Roughton, 45, purchased the tower at RAF Wainfleet in Friskney, nearly 10 years ago.



The RAF tower in Skegness was once used to observe the bombing range on the Air Force training ground.

RAF Wainfleet was used in the 1890s as an artillery range before it became a bombing range in 1938 for practice during World War Two.

The site was also used as a training ground for the Dambusters – a group of RAF servicemen who were trained to destroy dams in Germany.

Will, who purchased the tower in 2014, told Jam Press: "In more recent years, before it [the site] ended its military use in 2010, F-15s, A10s, and F1-11s were a common sight here for target practice too.

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"In the 1970s, the original wooden structure was replaced with the existing tower and the surrounding buildings that you still see standing here today.

”You can still see the ships that were used as targets until 2009."

After Will purchased the military tower, he set about transforming it into a unique holiday rental.

There are three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and an observation lounge inside the tower.

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As well as the tower, Will has also renovated other army vehicles, including a tank, an army ambulance, and a plane.

In total, there are nine different accommodation options spread across two different sites.

While RAF Wainfleet is home to the tower, renovated RAF buildings, and a glamping helicopter, there are also other accommodation options located next to a nearby lake.

Known as the Samaritan, the tank is located next to Ingleborough Lake, and it has a bed and living area inside.

Other accommodation options include Jetstream, an airplane with three bedrooms, underfloor heating, and two television screens.

There's also a private kitchen, toilet, and shower in a separate building for guests to use.

Other accommodation options include two renovated RAF buildings, known as the Lancaster and the Spitfire.

All of the guests have access to their own fire pit, BBQ, and outdoor seating area.

And there are more facilities at RAF Wainfleet, including a games room equipped with a darts board, table tennis, and pool table

Will searched the internet to source the specialist vehicles, with his latest helicopter coming from Wales.

He added: "At a guess, it takes us around three months to convert a lot, in between usual maintenance work on the existing properties.

"All lets at the Tower complex have their own shower, toilet, running water, heating, electricity, wifi.

"Meanwhile, at the lake, all those lets have their own heating, electricity, running water, and wifi but share a shower block."

"All conversion work is done between myself and Josh (our maintenance manager). And the decor is then done by Diana, our Admin and Lets Manager."

In addition to the quirky overnight stays, there are plenty of activities to do in the area, including East Kirkby Aviation Centre and Lincolnshire Wildlife Park.

Prices start from around £70 per night, and stays can be booked through RAF Wainfleet’s website as well as other booking sites.

And this isn't the only military building that's been converted into a holiday rental.

Recently, a World War Two concrete bunker was transformed into a luxury £350-a-night holiday home.

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The Grade II listed bunker in Dorset was once part of the RAF Ringstead radar station but has now been converted into a two-bedroom let with sea views.

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