As The Guardian reported last summer: ‘In June and July, the number of buyer inquiries made to Rightmove, the UK’s largest online property website, from people living in 10 cities increased by 78 per cent compared with the same period last year.
‘And there was a 126 per cent increase in people considering properties in village locations, compared with a 68 per cent rise in people searching for towns.’
If you are part of that statistic or think you’d like to be: consider Wales. Some of the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins’ finest poetry came from when he lived in the Celtic country for three years. In his In the Valley of the Elwy, he wrote: ‘Lovely the woods, waters, meadows, combes, vales/ All the air things wear that build this world of Wales.’
We couldn’t put it better ourselves! Wales has everything: castles and coastline; mountains and national parks; heritage railways and gardens galore. It suits families and couples, the elderly and the young. Whether you want a farm with a flourish, a bijou cottage or a manor house to show with, here is our pick of what you can buy in Wales now.
Main image: Knight Frank
Georgian Splendour In Monmouthshire
Knight Frank, £3.65m
This Grade II-listed Georgian house, set in 35 acres, is pretty much a dream come true – and its guide price of £3,650,000 reflects that. With nine bedrooms, mature gardens, views of the Sugar Loaf mountains, stables, a swimming pool, tennis court and several outbuildings, it is a hard one to talk yourself down from. Because this house is so grand, light-filled and well-proportioned, you may want to factor an entertaining budget into your moving costs. Check out the details here.
Coastal Cottage In Pembrokeshire
JJ Morris, £375,000
Sure, you need some imagination and energy for this little number. But its bones – and its price tag – are beautiful. Last used as a buy-to-let, this pretty three-bedroom cottage has fallen into disrepair and needs a major refurbishment. Situated in a pretty coastal village, it has sea views, a sweet garden and a brick summerhouse. Don’t be put off by the damp in the pictures; it would be criminal to let this one go. Check out the details here.
Riverside Farm In Carmarthenshire
Savills, £1.2m
This gorgeous family home sits in splendour beside the famous Towy River. With an all-weather tennis court, heated indoor pool, five bedrooms, an annexe and three further cottages that could be let, it could either be a rural getaway or a going concern. You could make it an extremely lovely version of either. Check out the details here.
Stunning Farm In Pembrokeshire
JJ Morris, £2.5m
This highly desirable farm takes up about 280 acres of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. As well as views of St Bride’s Bay, the property boasts a perfect farmhouse, a cottage that could be let and plenty of productive arable or livestock land. The décor could be modernised but minimal flair is required. Check out the details here.
Gothic Revival Mansion Near Welshpool
Savills, £1.25m
Anybody who is interested in this unique property necessarily fancies a lifestyle change. Built by a wealthy tea trader in 1776, its exquisite mature gardens – now stretching across about five acres – were originally designed by John Repton. When you approach the commanding house up a long and winding drive, you cannot help but be struck by the sensational sweeping views. Check out the details here.
Elegant Pembrokeshire Manor
Country Living, £1.1m
This house is almost worth selling your soul for. Part Grade II-listed manor, part well-extended farmhouse, it combines covetable Georgian features with the modern conveniences a family requires. In addition to the Victorian greenhouse and walled garden, there is woodland, paddocks, a games room, gym, tennis court, orchard, new electrics and plumbing and several bedrooms and bathrooms. Online viewing recommended asap. Check out the details here.
Pretty Cottage With Views Of The Brecon Beacons
McCartneys, £415,000
With glorious views over open countryside to the Brecon Beacons, this little place offers the sweetest taste of rural living. It has spacious rooms, a large garden and a pleasing position on the edge of a village. Check out the details here.
Carmarthenshire Farmhouse In Need Of TLC
Clee Tompkinson Francis, £1.4m
With some vim, vigour and deep pockets, this farm could be blissful. The first recorded history of the 291-acre property was in 1660 – and for many years it was part of the Cawdor Estate. The time has come to bring the Grade II-listed, five-bedroom property bang up to date, though. Check out the details here.
By Becky Ladenburg
May 2021
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