Thomas Ismay home, Waterloo, Merseyside

I had a drive down to Beach Lawn in Waterloo near Crosby to see the former home of Thomas Ismay. It's an imposing house now converted into four splendid flats. Even though it's on a row of handsome building and there's a boating lake nearby I'm sure a wealthy family could have picked a house with a better view. It looks out onto the River Mersey but it's a good walk away. I thought they'd have lived in one of the mansions looping Sefton Park in Liverpool but this must have suited them.

I stroked the door knob and did a few salutes at the front door. A barking dog alerted the owner of one of the flats who came out to enquire what I wanted. She was friendly lass in expensive slippers and a regal hair style who let me have a quick look inside. I was hoping she'd offer me a coffee served in a Spode china cup and a slab of homemade Victoria Sponge but she took a phone call and I waved goodbye.