SECURITY COTTAGE

FIRE SAFETY

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This could be a genuine treehouse, with a tree growing through the (proposed) Airbnb, but at the moment, it is simply a support structure, bereft of floors or conveniences, the roof is mainly to protect those underneath from falling branches. This is while the tree regenerates, after a serious bark infection some years ago, forced drastic surgery. Though, the proposed use could be enjoyed on a temporary basis for up to 28 days a year, under permitted development rules. Except that any fittings that may not be a permitted development, after the expiry of 28 days, would have to be removed, until the following year. That is not impossible, but rather inconvenient, and an additional financial burden on the Museum, as the Trust strives for tentative listing, as a World Heritage Site.

A necessity to reduce risks

ONSITE ACCOMMODATION

The Museum is an irreplaceable wooden building, dating from 1896. Not as old as some wooden buildings, but, the last surviving example of am early electricity generating station. In this case, with battery load levelling.

1. The "Security Cottage" Advantage

Having an occupied security cottage on the grounds almost certainly makes the property more "insurable" and can lead to lower premiums compared to a completely vacant site.

Fire Detection: For a timber building, fire is the absolute greatest threat. A smoke alarm in an empty building only helps if someone hears it. Having a resident nearby who can call 999 immediately is a massive risk reducer.

Vandalism & Squatting: Rural heritage assets are prime targets for "urban explorers" or squatters. An occupied cottage acts as a visible deterrent.

Maintenance Monitoring: Many insurance claims on old buildings are caused by "escape of water" (burst pipes). An on-site caretaker will notice a leak in hours; in an empty building, it could run for weeks, rotting the heritage timber.

2. "Unoccupied" vs. "Occupied" Rates

In the UK, if a property is left empty for more than 30 to 60 days, standard insurance usually stops or moves to a "restricted" cover (often called FLEA—Fire, Lightning, Explosion, and Aircraft only).

The Cost Factor: Specialist "Unoccupied Heritage Insurance" is notoriously expensive because the risk of a total loss is so high.

The "Caretaker" Discount: By having a resident in the cottage, you move the site status from "Vacant" to "Occupied" or "Supervised." While you still need a specialist heritage policy (due to the rebuild costs of historic timber), the base risk premium will be significantly lower because the "response time" to an incident is shortened.

3. Key Theoretical Considerations

If the occupiers of your theoretical building were to use the cottage for security, insurers would look for three things:

i) The Proximity: Is the cottage close enough to hear an alarm or see a fire?

ii) The Continuity: Is the cottage occupied 365 days a year, or just on weekends? (Insurers prefer a "permanent" presence).

iii) The Contract: Is the person a "Caretaker" or a "Tenant"? From an insurance perspective, a Caretaker is often better because they have a formal duty to monitor the main asset.

4. Reinstatement Costs: The "Heritage" Trap

Even with a security cottage, the premium for a wooden heritage asset will remain higher than a modern brick house. This is because of "Reinstatement Cost."

If a Grade II listed timber barn burns down, the law (and the insurer) requires it to be rebuilt using period-accurate timber, hand-carved joints, and specialist labor.

We aren't just insuring a building; we are insuring the craftsmanship.

Preferably, and occupier should have "Fire Marshall training."

EMINENTLY RECOVERABLE - An aerial view of Herstmonceux Museum in 2022, showing the public footpaths north of the generating buildings. Many of which are unregistered, but well trodden for over forty years, from our records.

Historic buildings need viable uses, for their owners/occupiers to be able to transcend, from rotting away, to trading to heritage grading.

OTHER PLACES TO STAY LOCAL TO HERSTMONCEUX:

Boreham House 5 stars Herstmonceux  -  Price from £126 per night

Cedar Lodge 4 stars Herstmonceux  -  Price from £269.50 per night

Chilsham Barn 4 stars Herstmonceux  -  Price from £249.50 per night

Cleavers Lyng 16th Century Country House 4 stars, Herstmonceux  -  Price from £80.75 per night

Eastwood Observatory - Chilsham Lane, Hailsham - Price from £2,797 per night

Furnace Brook Lodge, Cowbeech  -  £ Phone
Swallows Barn 4 stars - Herstmonceux  -  Price from £302.50 per night
The Stables at Boreham House - Herstmonceux  -  Price from £145 per night
Windmill Barn 4 stars Herstmonceux  -  Price from £178.33 per night

It is a good idea to check current prices (up or down), these are about 12 months old.

Herstmonceux and surrounding areas, provides a relaxing country setting for hikers, students and tennis professionals. There are many attractions, such as the Castle, Observatory, Public Footpaths and trails for hikers. Beware of falling branches.

Battle Abbey 1066 country is within easy driving range, Eastbourne and Hastings seaside resorts, Hastings boast the world's largest beach launched fishing fleet, and Beachy Head and Seaford Head (nature reserve) cliff-tops, joined by the Seven Sisters, provide stunning views and walks. The Pevensey Levels SSSI is a must for bird watching. There is also a Medieval Festival at Herstmonceux Castle every year. And then there is Alfriston, where King Alfred did not burn the cakes.

Other reasonably close attractions include Knockhatch and Drusillas Zoo. Fun outings for all the family.

Entrance from Lime Cross Field, along the public footpath, a right of way from the A217 east, or the A271, via the car park at the Cricket Pitch, just a little west of the village.

OTHER MUSEUM ATTRACTIONS

In addition to the archaeology in the structure of the extant generating building, together with original switches and other electrical apparatus (much of which was excavated on site) there are several innovative vehicles and vessels on permanent display at Herstmonceux Museum, including:

1. The fountain of youth, supplied from natural well water drawn on site

2. Adventure climbing frames for children (back to nature) Swiss Family Robinson

3. An Edwardian ice well, throwback to the days before refrigeration

4. A large underground condensation and water storage chamber

5. The world's smallest water basin, test tank for model boats

6. World's smallest wind tunnel, vehicle drag measuring instrument using electronic strain-gauges

7. Three PV boat models, Navigator, SWATH & 2 cats + route map prior to Swiss PlanetSolar

8. Seavax, the ocean cleanup proof of concept prototype from 2016

9. AmphiMax, radio controlled (working) beach launching & recovery vehicle for SeaVax

10. Anthony the most dangerous giant Australian bulldog ant, 300 times normal size

11. EV - FCEV refueling station model in 1:20 scale

12. The only working water well in Herstmonceux village

13. Solar panel, sun tracking system

14. Second World War, 'Anderson Inspired,' bomb proof shelter constructed by Major Charles de Roemer

15. City sports FCEV-BEV, hydrogen gull wing proof of concept DC50 electric car

16. Land speed record car: Bluebird-Electric BE1 (original 1st) with battery cartridge exchange

17. Land speed record car: Bluebird-Electric BE2 (original 2nd) with cartridge exchange

18. A complete mummified squirrel, found when re-roofing the Museum June 2017

19. A fully operational, and restored VW Kombi van dating from 1978 (historic vehicle)

20. BMW i3, battery electric vehicle hybrid, with onboard generator range extender

21. Three sewing machines, including an antique Singer and a Brother industrial.

There were many other contributors. If you know of any information that may help us complete this story, please get in touch.

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