Inside the Unique Home on a Busy Roundabout: A Family’s Story
A family lives in a bungalow situated on a roundabout in Denbigh, Wales. David John and Eirian Howatson moved there 64 years ago, long before the roundabout was built. In the late 1970s, the roundabout plans were drawn up, and construction was completed in 1980, surrounding their home.
Clwyd Howatson, 64, shares that living on the roundabout has been his way of life for over 40 years. He notes that while the area gets busy, especially when grandchildren visit, noise from traffic is manageable. They have double glazing, which helps reduce any disturbances from passing vehicles.
Visitors often ask how to get to their house. Clwyd explains that access is straightforward via the driveway at the bottom of the roundabout. He adds that traffic noise is comparable to living by any busy road.
However, leaving their home can be tricky. Drivers do not expect anyone to come out of a roundabout, leading to some confusion. Clwyd mentions they wait for quieter moments to exit safely.
What challenges do families face when living in unusual locations, such as on a roundabout?
Headline: Life on a Roundabout: An Interview with Clwyd Howatson of Denbigh
By: [Your Name]
Location: Denbigh, Wales
In a unique twist on suburban living, the Howatson family has made their home on a roundabout in Denbigh for over six decades. We sat down with Clwyd Howatson, who has lived there since the early 1980s, to discuss what it’s like to reside in such an unusual location.
Q: Clwyd, you’ve lived on this roundabout for a long time. Can you tell us how your family ended up here?
Clwyd Howatson: My parents, David and Eirian Howatson, moved into this bungalow 64 years ago, well before the roundabout was even a thought. The roundabout wasn’t constructed until the late ’70s, with the actual building finished in 1980. So, we’ve basically been surrounded by traffic for most of my life!
Q: What is daily life like living on a roundabout?
Clwyd: It certainly has its quirks! With grandchildren visiting, the area can get quite busy. However, we have double glazing, which significantly cuts down the noise from traffic. Honestly, the sound is just like living near any busy road.
Q: One interesting point you mentioned is the challenge for visitors and delivery drivers. Can you explain that?
Clwyd: Absolutely! A lot of people ask how to find our house. The access is quite simple—there’s a driveway at the bottom of the roundabout—but the confusion often arises. Delivery drivers frequently think they’ve overshot because they can’t believe there’s a house literally on the roundabout. More than once, they’ve ended up at nearby homes before I can clarify.
Q: Safety must be a concern living in such a busy area. Have you experienced any close calls?
Clwyd: We’ve been lucky in that regard. While early drivers did mistakenly navigate the roundabout incorrectly, we’ve avoided any serious accidents. Leaving the house can be tricky since drivers don’t expect someone to come out of the roundabout, so we often wait for quieter moments to make our exit.
Q: What are your plans for the future? Do you intend to stay in your home?
Clwyd: Definitely! Despite its challenges, this has been our home for many years, and we plan to stay here for the foreseeable future. Living on a roundabout has become a familiar part of our lives, with all its quirks and surprises.
Q: Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
Clwyd: Living here has taught me that sometimes the most unconventional situations can become the happiest memories. Our home may be situated in an odd place, but it’s ours, and it holds a wealth of experiences for our family.
The Howatson family’s resilience and adaptability exemplify how home can truly be where the heart is—even on a roundabout.
Delivery drivers face challenges too. Many struggle to believe their destination is literally on the roundabout. This often results in them going to nearby homes, prompting Clwyd to clarify that they are located directly on the roundabout.
Despite the potential dangers of living on a roundabout, the family has been fortunate to avoid serious accidents. Some early drivers did mistakenly navigate the roundabout in the wrong direction.
Looking ahead, the family plans to stay in their unique home for the foreseeable future. Living in a bungalow on a roundabout has its quirks, but for the Howatsons, it has become a familiar part of their lives.