From the front, this cottage looks like an attractive period property proposition that promises much character and charm inside, but there's far more to this home waiting to delight you waiting around the back.
Located on the outskirts of Usk, named Wales' best place to live, this former bakery believed to date back to 1880 has recently been the subject of a renovation project that brings it into the modern era but brings all the period charm with it.
But as some people stop the budget spend and the renovation at the living accommodation, this house has an addition that makes it stand out from its neighbours. Where you might expect a huge, open-plan kitchen diner flowing out to the garden, there's actually an indoor swimming pool and gym.
READ MORE: The towns and villages named the best places to live in Wales in 2021
The cottage is a double-fronted property on one of the roads out of Usk through a tiny settlement called Llanbradoc on the outskirts of this popular place to live for its community spirit and the surrounding, gorgeous Monmouthshire countryside.
In March 2021 Usk was named as Wales' best place to live by the Sunday Times in the towns and villages category.
Based on a wide range of factors, from schools, air quality, transport and broadband speeds to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street, a list of the UK's finest locations to live has been published.
The Sunday Times's expert judges behind the guide were looking for improving towns, villages or city centres, for attractive, well designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit - which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all.
The remaining Welsh towns and villages to make the competitive and exclusive list were Aberdyfi, Cleddu Estuary, Llandeilo and the Tywi Valley, Narberth, and Penarth.
Standing outside the property and the renovations that have occurred here begin right at the front door, literally, as it was moved to the centre of the house from the left side, to create a pleasing, symmetrical welcome to the home.
There's no sign from the front of this house of the substantial expansion at the rear, that is a welcome surprise to discover when you step in and wander around.
The first, initial surprise though is the successful way the owners have combined charming period features with modern upgrades and choices of classic, tasteful interior design as the finishing flourishes to this fabulous and fancy home.
Straight into the spacious L-shaped living, dining and cooking area that sweeps across the whole width of the house and then down into a wing that juts out into the garden.
Walls have come out and super stylish decor, furniture and charming stone floors have gone in.
There's no hall as such, the front porch is the barrier between the inside spaces, front door and the road, so the central oak staircase immediately tempts you to climb but there's far too much to see down here first.
To the right of the stairs is the dining area and to the left a generous lounge area, with a central exposed stone chimney breast with log burner the central feature that all the furniture, and surely people, nestle around in the dead of winter.
Neither of these rooms have walls either, just white washed walls and ample lighting that assists the windows to flood the open-plan space with light, sunshine and rural views.
The majority of the wall between the back of the original cottage and the single-storey apex has gone too, meaning the space flows effortlessly into a charming double-height kitchen.
In here, the ceiling has been removed and the views of exposed beams and rafters have replaced it.
There are the maybe expected glass doors to a garden patio at the end of the kitchen, but maybe a thrilling addition is the huge picture window above the charming Belfast sink that perfectly frames and maximises the garden views from this delightful room.
There's a utility room found off the kitchen, hiding behind a door, and this does get you wondering what else is hiding at the back of this property?
Back to the dining room, and not exactly hidden behind two glass internal doors, is sparkling blue water that is sure to catch your eye and have you scrambling to find your speedos or bikini; a swimming pool where really you don't expect to find a pool - just off the dining room.
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And what a wonderful surprise it is, not only indoor and heated to provide fun all year round, but there's a gym space too that prompts the estate agent to call this extension a leisure complex.
And for the perfect pool party, of course there is a wall of bi-fold doors at the end of the room blurring the line between indoor and outdoor but not drawing the line on how much fun this bonus space brings to this family home.
But no pool party come garden party would be complete without a bar; surely there's one hiding in the garden somewhere?
Yes, but it's not a homemade version utilising an old shed or old wood pallets, this cottage offered the lucky owners an established stone outbuilding that is now a bar complete with optics, French doors overlooking the garden and a deck area masquerading as a beer garden. Let the party begin.
The garden bar even has light, power and data points. Behind this is a floating pontoon, over the brook, which runs along the other side and across part of the rear garden.
That naughty brook has flooded twice in the past 17 years, and once the River Usk over the road has too, although the estate agent says on this matter: "Widening of the brook is taking place over the coming weeks.
"Monmouthshire County Council and National Resources Wales continue to collaborate on flood prevention schemes and have applied for a grant from the Welsh Government to extend the floodwall along the river into Llanbadoc and beyond. Vendors are currently insured with AXA excess £100."
Wandering upstairs and there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms, but also two further surprises.
One of the bedrooms has been converted to a cool cinema room complete with ceiling projector, big screen and fabulous, huge squishy chairs for the utmost comfort while you scoff your popcorn and watch your favourite movies.
Plus the master bedroom has a complete wall of glass that spans from floor to vaulted ceiling for magnificent views from the bed that command you to gaze in wonder.
But that's not the surprise in this room, as opposite the bed there is a set of French doors that leads you out onto a flat roof that happily offers itself up as a private roof terrace too.
With thought and attention to detail, this home has gone from potentially a pokey cottage with smaller rooms to a large space for socialising, family gatherings, and experiences shared, and surely a lot of splashing about in the pool too.
And just because the home has retained much of its vintage character that doesn't mean it is not a thoroughly modern abode, with additions such as smart lighting, smart heating, zoned speaker system and network data points installed by the owner during the renovations.
The party cottage with the pool is for sale with M2 estate agents for £595,000, call their Usk branch on 01291 672827 to find out more.
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