Help me with a bathroom window that is inaccessible.

[twinky]

I live in a victorian villa that has been butchered by a series of unsympathetic renovations and extensions. At some point someone has converted the old pantry or larder into a downstairs toilet. It is a very narrow, tall room and a small timber window was added at a very high point on the back wall. It has an old rope and pulley system for opening it. I have never seen anything like it elsewhere. I want to get rid of it and put in a new window, then decorate the bathroom. Does anyone have suggestions for a new window or other means of ventilating the room?

Block it up and add an extractor fan?

Actually - putting the extractor where the window would be more sensible.

Do you mean get rid of the window completely? It's a dark space and I'm reluctant to do that as being a bathroom the ventilation is important. Can you get extractor fans that are a part of the window? And thanks for replying.

I was suggesting it instead of a tiny, high window that sounds awkward to open. The extractor can provide ventilation. If you want a bigger window the opening can be enlarged - you would have to be mindful of what it will look like externally and, if it will over look your next door neighbour's home or garden then there could be planning issues. Chances are you'll want obscured glass in a loo anyway though.

Thank you. I have ruled out enlarging the window which does look over my neighbour's garden. I really want to sort it out with minimal expense. I think my first stop may be a local window business to see if they could suggest anything. I had considered an extractor fan but thought they had to be fitted separately, through the wall. If they can be part of the window itself that might be a possibility.

Could you replace the window with a single pane of a lovely etched glass (no openings) for maximum light and then put an extractor fan through an external wall?

Ooh that's a good idea. I've got a glazer coming round next week to look at replacing glass in the one remaining sash window in the house. I could ask him what he reckons. Anyone know roughly how much it would cost to fit an extractor fan? And what type of person would do it? Is it a builder or an electrician? Thanks for all the suggestions.

Electrician with a core drill if the fan is going through the wall. It could also be fitted to the ceiling and then vented outside. I really don't like the look of fans set in windows. Remind me of horrible old kitchens.

Thank you wow, yes it's a look I hate too. I will look into the extractor fan idea further. All ideas much appreciated.

Norbet had already said exactly what I was going to suggest.
It seems the simplest and best option.