From the outside this very attractive period property is a contender for a perfect rural retreat - a country mini manor house that has all the features of a gem waiting for you to discover around the next corner of a country lane.
Inside it's a slice of country manor life too, from the sweeping staircase to the grand reception rooms with high ceilings and fancy cornicing joined by statement fireplaces and gold framed portraits.
The sophisticated interior design mixes modern accents with classic country style. From antlers on the wall to tactile tweed fabrics, huge chandeliers to swathes of curtains crowned with hefty swags, the country vibe is evident. Of course there are modern additions and facilities but choices made have steered towards classic, timeless design to ensure the property flows beautifully.
READ MORE: The townhouse packed with elegant interiors and a medieval cellar for sale in Laugharne
Called Ashfield House, the Regency-style Victorian villa was awarded a Grade II listing in 1986 but the information about the property on the Cadw website is sketchy. But a website doesn't need to tell you that this house is very special - your eyes will do that for you.
Of course, you'll realise immediately as you arrive that this house is not a rural retreat but a period gem hiding behind stone column flanked big metal gates and a collection of large trees, shrubs and hedges, positioned off a road into the town centre of Bridgend.
Wander down the residential road where you will find the house and you will surely be intrigued at what might be hiding behind the foliage and how grand it must be if the entrance is an accurate indication of the house inside - it's clearly not a standard three-bed semi.
Once into the site and the house is pretty as a picture with a beautiful iron Victorian veranda the initial feature to flaw you.
What will also probably surprise you is the property is not a standard square layout, as the ground floor keeps on going into a wing at the rear that includes a utility room, cloakroom, large office, garage and workshop.
The charming veranda that hugs two sides of this dream home that offers lovely garden views is a hard place to leave, but the internal spaces will amply reward you deciding to wander inside; eventually. The big and robust front door leads into a central, core hallway where the grandeur that awaits you is firmly established.
The intricately carved staircase that offers a double-height journey up to the top floor creates impressive views up and down, as well as a huge wall perfect for those posh family portraits each cocooned within a fancy, ornate gold frame.
There are three main reception rooms to rummage around. The first is the biggest and is a wonderfully light and peaceful place mainly thanks to the combination of three sets of French doors and soft blue tones complemented by tactile, natural materials, a stone feature fireplace and the warm wooden floor.
The dining room next door is arguably the poshest spot, with a rich and sumptuous red decor the perfect backdrop that allows the gold gilt accessories and heavy curtains, huge chandelier and ornate fireplace to truly shine to their full magnificence.
The space is easily big enough for a generous table and chairs and although currently set for eight people there's space for more. The furniture is traditional, the ambience created more intimate than the rest of the house, and this is the perfect recipe for the tastiest of dinner parties serving lively chat as well as yummy food.
The dining room also has three sets of French doors to the veranda. The third reception room, although a cosier space, doesn't miss out on the outdoor connection, with its own set of doors that adds to the light and airy feel already established by the neutral, natural tones and comfy furniture within this very calm and welcoming space.
The kitchen diner is a very special room, and one way to get into it is going to make the fans of pantries completely melt because this house has the poshest version maybe you've ever seen.
It's a room that is flanked with built-in, bespoke carpentry that offers storage at the bottom and glass cabinets at the top for displaying the best china, glassware and anything else that deserves a specific spot to be displayed, so probably not tins of Tesco's own brand baked beans - it's a china pantry not a food pantry, how fancy is that?
And the inclusion of ample, well-positioned lighting makes the whole space feel like it could be in a fancy boutique shop in Knightsbridge rather within a large family home in Bridgend.
Then into the kitchen diner itself, which can also be accessed via an external door from the garden too, and it's a space made for socialising inside and out.
The bespoke kitchen by Neptune is in a timeless Shaker style that mixes country wood with contemporary grey for the perfect two-tone, two materials combination.
The island unit is a beast and comes with an integrated breakfast bar, or you can park yourself at the table in the dining zone, or nestle into a comfy armchair by the French doors to the garden and wait for the cook to produce their magic.
Another eye-catching feature in this space that you can't fail to notice is the huge Aga that sits happily within an equally huge fireplace within a bulky chimney breast - there's going to be some delicious grub coming out of that meal monster on a regular basis.
The interiors in this space are well-thought out to continue the flow of the elegant and traditional feel from the main period house, and features such as ceiling roses and cornicing adds to the visual, traditional decor connection.
However, to make sure the space feels in the present too, extra touches such as the pattern tile splashback and tones of contemporary grey and soft heather on the walls have been added.
The climb up the grand stairs is an uplifting experience with the structure itself, as well as the light filled, stairwell with its double-height vistas, sure to please everyone. How could you not want to swish down this unique staircase for a Bridgerton-style, attention grabbing entrance when guests arrive?
The first floor is home to four bedrooms and two separate bathrooms and again tasteful and timeless, soft and calm interior design awaits to embrace you, from a simple four-poster bed surrounded by soft dusky pink decor to the classic roll-top bath given an update with a splash of heritage blue.
There are wall panels and traditional wallpaper in the master bedroom that can also boast a fireplace fancy enough to be in most people's poshest reception room, and of course it deserves to be topped by a huge, fancy, gold mirror.
Even the bedrooms for younger occupants, although filled with fun, can continue the tasteful interiors, with a classic red, blue and white scheme peppered with stripped pine wood furniture.
Up to the top floor and it's a versatile space that is large enough to combine its bedroom area with a hobby zone or working from home zone, or maybe a place to escape the busy, bustling main spaces of the house below.
Outside, the mature garden cocoons most of the house in nature and creates private spots to enjoy the sunshine on the terrace, but if a latte or cheeseburger, or a shopping trip or walk along a stunning sandy shore is wanted, this spot in Bridgend can get you to them all in a matter of minutes.
Ashfield House is on the market for offers in excess of £850,000 with estate agent Watts and Morgan, call their Bridgend branch on 01656 644288 to find out more. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, auction properties, renovation stories, and interiors - join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, sent to your inbox twice a week.
READ NEXT:
-
The £4m farmhouse that comes with a cottage and two barn conversions - and that's just for starters
-
The rundown six-bed semi which comes with its own tiny shop celebrities loved
-
Pretty townhouse comes with a shop for the perfect lifestyle change
-
The dream homes sold in Wales that total almost £89m in value
