Visiting Chek Jawa on Pulau Ubin? Besides appreciating the wildlife along the shoreline, another feature that you can appreciate is the House No. 1, so-called because of its postal address on Pulau Ubin.
House No. 1 at Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin
Pulau Ubin’s House No. 1 stands out because of its interesting Tudor-style architecture that makes it look like a timber-frame house from the past. It has a red brick facade and looks like it should belong in the English countryside, not on the shores of a tropical island.
According to some accounts, House No. 1 and its adjacent outhouse was built in the 1930s by the then-Chief Surveyor, Langdon Williams. It was built as a holiday or a weekend cottage.
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Later, the building was taken over by a rubber company and the local rubber estate manager stayed in it.
The Tudor-style house has been adapted to the tropics with netting on the windows to keep out the bugs. It is similar to other English country cottages built by the British in tea plantations.
It is also most well-known for having a fireplace – however, this has been closed off because a family of bats have been living it (according to NPark’s website).
Modern Day Visitors Centre
House No. 1 has been turned into a Chek Jawa visitor centre.
In 2003, the building was given conservation status. There was work undertaken to restore the house. This was work was done with a view of maintaining the building’s rustic character. Termite-infested parts of the building had to be replaced but as much of the original structure was kept as possible.
Inside, you can learn more about the value of Chek Jawa and the species that inhabit the coastal wetland like the Knobbly Sea Star and hermit crabs.
There are signboards that not only provide information about the various habitats found at Chek Jawa and Pulau Ubin, but also about efforts to restore and preserve these environments.
Jetty and Views from House No. 1 – including Frog Island
House No. 1 is built on granite bedrock and is elevated about 10 metres above sea level.
From the veranda of House No. 1, you can get a view of Changi Point and the Straits of Singapore. It can also been seem from Changi Point and the vessels passing by.
There is a concrete jetty that extends around 100 metres into the water.
From the end of the jetty, you can get a view of Pulau Sekudu or Frog Island.
House No. 1 is a unique place to visit in Singapore and it adds on to the adventure of visiting Chek Jawa on Pulau Ubin.
If you enjoyed this story, we think that you will also enjoy these other Pulau Ubin stories such as this one on Chek Jawa and Puaka Hill.
