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Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Joanne Ridout

Inside the dream home for sale in an exclusive Welsh gated community so private that only residents can enter

Anyone passing the set of Roman style columns flanked by two gates at the end of Cathays Park within Cardiff's civic centre is sure to be intrigued by the structure that is a surprise addition to the streetscene. Nestled amongst the government buildings from different eras and the neighbouring distinctive Cardiff University properties, it stands out.

But surely the intrigue will extend to where this very fancy brick and stone structure leads, and most Cardiff residents who know the location will say it is the gateway to one of the capital city's most exclusive and unique places to live.

Queen Anne Square is an idyllic island of dream homes within Cathays Park conservation area close to the hustle and bustle of the city centre, surrounded by a visual feast of substantial civic buildings and just across the road from the beautiful Bute Park, Alexandra Park and the castle grounds; what a location.

READ MORE: Rare period farmhouse on Gower peninsula in need of renovation going to auction with guide price of £400,000

Distinctive gateway to the private community that has intrigued passers by for decades (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
Aerial view of Queen Anne Square (Google maps)

It's not a surprise to discover that the classical colonnades, brick and freestone dressings of the gateway to this prime slice of Cardiff real estate achieved a Grade II listing in 2001 for its 'special contribution to the architectural character of the civic centre to which, with Aberdare Hall, defines the north end'.

The pattern of the houses built within Queen Anne Square follow a layout based on Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia. The grand project was originally commissioned in the 1930s and personally supervised by the Marquess of Bute, according to a design by the architect Howard Williams.

According to the Grade II listing of the gateway, the whole plot was built between the 1930s and the 1950s to be aligned with King Edward VII Avenue to the south, on a site originally earmarked for a Welsh parliament house. In 1941 the ordnance survey map shows just nine of the current 31 houses had been built. The square can also boast that each house within this unique gated community has its own individual design.

Although within a five minute walk to the city centre, Queen Anne Square offers residents a tranquil island of suburbia centred around its own tree-lined, mini village green and a unique and private community atmosphere.

Central lawn is an important aspect of the square's design (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
Pathways and gates lead you through the square (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

That's not to say the square hasn't had its busy days especially when there have been famous visitors attracted by the square as a unique filming location. The most recent visitors were Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman filming the popular BBC Cymru Wales drama Sherlock.

Local legend says that the Marquess of Bute initially banned doctors and solicitors from living in the square as he feared the constant visits by patients and clients would disturb the tranquillity and peace which he aimed to create within this tree-lined square, so he surely would not have been impressed with the activity of a busy TV crew turning up for a day and camping out in the square.

Only 31 houses inside the estate and all have a different design (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
Private residents' access means very few vehicles or road noise (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

While no-one is banned from living in the square today, the peace that the Marquess craved still remains and is appreciated by the current owner of this detached home for sale. It's just one of a raft of reasons why the square is such a desirable place to live, so when a house is put on the the market it is snapped up - but it hasn't always been a site for millionaire's only.

Back in 1997 number three was for sale for £200,000, a bargain by today's elevated property prices. Now the average on the square, bearing in mind each home is different in design and size, is £840,000 according to property portal Zoopla, but this is based on just a single sale back in 2019.

In fact, there has only been this sale within the last five years and only four sales in total within the last 10 years, so when the estate agent states this is a rare opportunity to join the Queen Anne Square community they are not wrong. Now one of the distinctive detached houses is for sale and offers a lucky new owner spacious, contemporary living within a pretty period shell within this private estate.

The front door is found to the side of the house, meaning the bay fronted living room and formal dining rooms occupy village green prime position views at the front of the house.

A rare find in this location - a house for sale (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
Modern and warm welcome in hall (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

The hall combines high shine flooring and pale tones with a warm wood staircase and internal doors, and is a welcoming first space. But as soon as you enter you are instantly distracted by the glass double doors that tease you with glimpses of arguably the showcase space in this special abode.

At the rear of the house, spanning the whole width and about half of the overall floorplan of the home is an open-plan kitchen, diner and lounge that is an absolute stunner.

Showcase room at the rear (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
Large kitchen zone, huge end wall window and bi-fold doors to the garden (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

From the continuation of the high shine floor to the vaulted ceiling with roof windows above the kitchen and the bi-folds out into the garden, this massive room oozes contemporary interior design style with waves of light from multiple sources.

But this is a well-loved home that also disarms you with welcoming decor via the current owners' sociable style that oozes visual warmth, inviting you to linger and get comfortable, and to also take time to admire their fascinating personal items that give this house so much personality.

Three zones - cooking, eating and relaxing (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
Lounge zone has great view of the garden (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

One thing is for sure when it comes to interior design here - there's no sterile spaces promoting hard, cold decor in this Cardiff dream home. This open-plan room is, of course, the social hub of the home, and the party and social gatherings it surely regularly hosts can easily spill out into the beautiful garden via the bank of bi-fold doors in the kitchen zone.

Rear view of the house from the garden (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
Pretty, landscaped rear garden (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
Oriental summerhouse with bridge over a pond (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

The garden is a tranquil space, full of trees, ornamental shrubs and landscaped areas of lawn plus a sunny terrace where regular alfresco dining is a must - it seems rude not to with a garden this pretty and well maintained as your perfect dining backdrop.

In the far corner of the garden is an attractive oriental style summerhouse accessed via a charming bridge over a pretty pond, ensuring this area of the outdoor space is a distinctive and delightful destination to wander over to and enjoy every time you're outside.

Separate living room with bay window looking out over the square's central lawn (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
Formal dining room at the front could be a home office too (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

Back inside the house, and there's a handy utility room off the kitchen, as well as a cloakroom off the hall, and a garage at the end of the drive. The separate living room and formal dining room at the front are both spaces that can enjoy looking out over the square's central green lawn and, although more formal in nature, the welcoming and warm decor continues into these spaces.

Master bedroom at the front of the house has dual aspect (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
This bedroom has built-in wardrobe whose doors lead to a secret storage area (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

The living room can boast the bay window plus a side picture window that adds another angle of the view of the central green outside. There's also a fireplace and ceiling rose detailing, as well as gorgeous wood flooring to add another layer of visual warmth to the rich colours and tactile fabrics found in this room.

The dining room next door has a generous picture window that perfectly frames the view of the square's lawn outside and if not needed as a dining space would make a very special home office. However, with four bedrooms upstairs too, the choice on where to plug in your laptop is varied and tempting.

There are four bedrooms in total (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
If four bedrooms are not needed by the next owner maybe this one would make an ideal office and study (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
Stylish family bathroom (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

Maybe one room to avoid adding a work desk and just enjoy the space for relaxing and sleeping and not working is the master bedroom. Located at the front of the house, the master bedroom, of course, takes prime position located over the living room and so protrudes out into the front garden.

The result is a dual aspect bedroom that offers a number of locations for the bed that result in a central square view directly from the pillow. It's a spacious room that can also boast an ensuite.

One of the remaining three double bedrooms has a built-in wardrobe that if you step inside has hidden storage space behind - very 'The Chronicles of Nania' and quite possibly the best hide and seek spot in the house.

Intriguing French doors at the top of the stairs (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

There's also a stylish family bathroom up on the first floor to find but also as a bonus feature that comes as a total surprise as it is well hidden from inside and out. At the top of the stairs an intriguing set of French doors take you out onto a spacious roof terrace.

This extra feature is a wonderful, private place to relax and look down on the garden and the location and be so happy to be part of arguably the most unique and exclusive, private community to be found within the capital.

Bonus roof terrace provides elevated views of the unique location (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)
View from the summerhouse reveals this house is special from any angle you view it (Jeffrey Ross estate agents, Pontcanna)

The Queen Anne Square stunner is on the market for £1.25m with estate agents Jeffrey Ross, call their Pontcanna branch on 029 2049 9680 to find out more. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories and interiors, join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter which is sent to your inbox twice a week.

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