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Wales Online
Lifestyle
Joanne Ridout

Amazing £1.35m dream home right by the beach with its own chapel in the garden

If you're going to live literally right next to a long, sweeping beach then it makes perfect sense to design a house that makes the most of the mesmerising, panoramic sea views that the prime location offers.

And surely that is exactly what was at the forefront of the architect's mind when this truly unique seaside residence was designed in the early 1900s.

This Edwardian beauty has a garden that starts with an elevated terrace and then descends down towards the beach and that's the first place to enjoy the view, but this substantial period property can offer so many more.

READ MORE: Remarkable renovation of a run down Cardiff cottage into truly stunning dream home

Distinctive domed facade with towers, a balcony and a veranda (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

The addition of a first floor balcony and a veranda, now enclosed in glass, means you can immerse yourself in the view, whatever the weather, and that's just two of the many places to linger and love that ocean vista.

The duo of distinctive, dome topped towers at each of the sea facing corners of the house are triumphant additions, creating multiple views out to sea and along the coast.

Because of the towers' shape, the views are optimised far more than a flat-fronted facade via five generous windows. And what a facade it is - a substantial and robust landmark coastal mansion that is arguably the most distinctive and desirable dream home along this stretch of Gwynedd coastline.

The house is called Tremora and the location is terrific, with the beach at the end of the garden and the thriving town of Barmouth within walking distance.

But there's so much more to this amazing house than its enviable location and stunning sea views and that becomes evident as soon as you drive through the fancy stone wall and column gateway and up the sweeping drive.

Two entrances and two driveways, as a house of such stature deserves (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
Terraced gardens travels down towards the sea (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

Actually, there are two gates and two drives that make a very impressive 'in and out' entrance that surely all grand period properties with such stature demand.

Not every period mansion can claim to have a chapel in their front garden though. But because Tremora is amazing it can impress you from the moment you arrive with this characterful chapel located by one of the entrances that is thought to date back to around 1875.

Not every grand house in the area can boast its own chapel in the garden (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
There's a one bed annexe in the garden too (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

If planning consent could be secured, a sympathetic renovation project could transform this historic structure into something very special to live in. Alternatively, it could remain as it is - a place of sanctuary and reflection.

There's another building in the garden to stumble across too; a one bedroom annexe ideal for use as a holiday let, subject to the necessary consents and health and safety regulations, or for use as somewhere for granny or the grandchildren to call their own.

What a location, what a view, what a house (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
Central hall oozing period charm (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

But the main event is the main house. Inside, it is a labyrinth of loveliness, showcasing original features that give this home its period credentials, alongside modern updates that add an extra layer of luxury.

Into the hallway and it's a central, character packed space full of beams, wood wall panels and glass double doors. It is a charming yet practically located space as it provides access to all the main rooms and the kitchen wing of the ground floor.

The kitchen can be found to the rear of the house and is an engaging eclectic mix of classic and contemporary, shiny and matt colours and textures.

Don't pity the kitchen for not being located on the sea front side of the house because a large open doorway means it flows into a big, bonus orangery that, when the blinds aren't down to allow photographs to be taken, can flood this added space with sea views as well as light.

Kitchen flows into a bonus space (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
Fabulous orangery is a very pleasing surprise (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

On the journey back to the central hall you will discover a secret little staircase that leads to maybe the period gem of a room in this abode. The library is a very special space, with the fanciest of ceilings and wall-to-floor bookcases, as well as a marble fireplace.

Very impressive ceiling in the library (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
If you're bored of your book, the view can distract you (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

But the library is not the only room oozing character. The snug, which is located between the two domed towers, has its own fabulous fireplace that is a showpiece of carved stone with a solid wood surround.

There are beams and wall panelling in here too which makes the room a cosy and welcoming space, but arguably its crowning glory are the French doors that connect it to the view as well as the glass encased veranda.

Fabulous fireplace in the snug (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
Doors out to the glass veranda from the snug (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

However much you are enjoying relaxing in the snug, it's just a matter of time before you gaze out of the window or stroll out onto the veranda to become wholly immersed in the sea view.

But arguably the snug is not the best spot to be mesmerised by the ocean, because either side of it are the two towers with five large windows waiting to take your admiration of the design of this distinctive abode to the next level.

The family room can boast one of the towers within its floorplan (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
Perfect spot for a sofa or two (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

Each tower is understandably a reception room and both have grabbed the opportunity to place seating within the curved structure of the tower to capitalise on the connection to the view, which is no doubt a constant and welcome reminder of this home's incredible location.

Two large reception rooms (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
Two options available to sit on a sofa in a tower (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

It's not a challenge to imagine enjoying hours of the day, and night, watching the sparkling or stormy ocean, the ever changing skyscape, glorious sunsets and then the stars twinkle over the water from either tower.

Plenty of wildlife and human life to help you while away the hours too; from birds soaring above to family snoring in a deck chair in the pretty garden.

Upstairs the layout at the sea front side of the house is a replica of the ground floor, with two of the five bedrooms being the lucky ones that can boast a tower as a distinctive section of their floorplan, meaning five aspects of the expansive sea view to choose from directly from the pillow.

Yes please to waking up to that view (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
Five windows = five chances to admire nature's view, beautifully framed as living artwork (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

The remaining three bedrooms shouldn't be too jealous, as they all have a 'pretty as a picture', framed coastal vista to call their own - a view that most people would be absolutely thrilled to enjoy from just one of their home's windows.

The bedroom that sits between the domed towers, and above the snug, has an extra feature that is surely a joy to use - a balcony. What an outstanding additional space that is arguably the perfect place for a lazy brunch at a bistro table or a relaxing night cap stargazing whilst nestled into a comfy outdoor sofa.

The bedroom above the study has access to the first floor balcony (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
But all of the five bedrooms have remarkable coastal views (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

You might have to budge up a bit on that sofa though, as both tower bedrooms also have door access to the balcony, so if this bedroom is your slumber space you might have to share its balcony with others.

Four of the five bedrooms have an ensuite, and they are all modern and luxurious spaces that include a statement bath or an invigorating shower.

Four bathrooms in total (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
A touch of modern luxury can be found in each bathroom (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

The bathrooms illustrate how this house, built over a century ago, can be a modern living space as well as retaining its incredible character through features and age appropriate interior design.

Outside, the landscaped garden that faces the sea offers multiple lawns and patios for alfresco dining, wandering through the mature planting, and generally sitting and relaxing, no doubt accompanied by the sound of the waves.

There's a large lawn area to the side of the house too - maybe a croquet lawn, a place to increase the opportunity to grow your own produce helped by the fact that there's already a greenhouse on site.

A stroll through the formal garden every day would not be a chore (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
Chance to grow your own produce (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)
Chance to add a pool, if planning allows, and make every day feel like a holiday at this delightful house by the beach (Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, Dolgellau / onthemarket.com)

Or, with planning consent, the space could become a swimming pool, patio and even a poolside bar to make this home feel like every day here is like a holiday by the beach.

Tremora is on the market for offers in the region of £1,350,000 with Walter Lloyd Jones & Co, call the Barmouth office on 01341 280527 to find out more. And to make sure you never miss the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories and interiors, join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, which is sent out to your inbox twice a week.

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