Having been a windmill and a war-time gun emplacement, today it’s a beachside house with stunning views – and up for sale for £1.2million.

The Old Mill House is one of the most distinctive properties on Aldeburgh’s seafront and has had a colourful life over the past 192 years.

It was originally built at Fort Green as a windmill with two pairs of millstones, producing up to 20 tonnes of flour every week.

However, its working life ended in the last decade of the 19th Century in dramatic fashion – when its four double sails snapped and broke, leaving it useless.

It was then converted into a home in 1902 but later adapted again with the addition of a gun tower to serve as a battery observation post to guard its stretch of coast from German invaders during World War Two.

Today it boasts some of the best views in Aldeburgh – across the town’s rooftops and along the coast to Thorpeness north, and south across the marshes and River Alde to the Martello Tower, Iken and Snape.

Peter Ogilvie, of estate agent Savills, which is handling the sale of the iconic building, said the gun tower was “now in need of full renovation and rebuilding”.

It might be possible to extend the gun tower to create further accommodation with great views, subject to planning permission from Suffolk Coastal council.

Mr Ogilvie said: “We have had quite a lot of interest, mainly from people in London, and it’s been very encouraging. Unfortunately, the top end of the London property market has been suffering a tough time and people are taking a little longer to get into a position to proceed.

“It’s a wonderful building and arguably has got to be one of the best spots in Aldeburgh.

“It has amazing 360 degree views over the town, sea and down the river to the marshes, really quite striking.

“It is a fascinating building and the whole property needs some renovation with the gun tower needing the most work, but there is a great deal of potential and it could be extended sensitively, perhaps with a lot of glazing to take advantage of the views, but will need some negotiations with the planning authority.”