United Kingdom A La Ronde

A La Ronde is a 16-sided house built in the North Devon countryside by two spinster cousins upon their return from a Grand Tour of Europe that lasted about 10 years. It has 20 rooms arranged on the ground and first floor around a core that goes from the floor to the roof.

Their will stipulated that only unmarried ladies from the family could inherit it. That held true for about 200 years when the property passed to the brother of a lady who had inherited it. He added central heating, a water tower, a laundry, a bathroom (yes, I wondered too) and a dumb waiter.

Many of the rooms are just as the ladies originally decorated: some with patterns of small feathers, other with shells the ladies collected during their travels. In face the walls of whole top floor are festooned with shell. They’re too delicate to have visitors but it is possible see them on CCTV.

The couple silhouetted against the window... I don't think they were officially associated with the house. When I went to find them, they'd gone.

Take the widest lens you can find.

You need a car. The property is managed by The National Trust so there is good car parking but opening times are seasonal. Check before you go there.