This pretty thatched property is an absolute gem within Barry's property landscape.
Well known by local residents, the home has a prime position on the Vale of Glamorgan coastline, with spectacular uninterrupted sea views at the bottom of its garden and through every south-facing window.
But there's a lot more to this unique home, called Whitehouse Cottage but also known as Cole Farm, than just its location that has contributed to its listed status.
According to website britishlistedbuildings.co.uk the cottage dates back to the 1600s and is the oldest inhabited house in the town and has a number of unique features that sets it apart from any other home in the region.
The central doorway is a Tudor stone archway that leads into a house oozing with character beams, two inglenook fireplaces, and three stone staircases.
And beside one of these staircases a former owner discovered a complete Tudor wall painting in excellent condition, thought to date back to 1580.
The female figure is painted in an ochre colour and is believed to be a young bride in her wedding dress and holding her bridal bouquet on the occasion of the marriage.
This incredible original feature, plus the cottage being the oldest inhabited house in Barry, led to the property being listed as Grade II* in 1978.
The ground floor of this detached thatch stunner is classic country cottage, although the amazing views from the window are totally water-based.
The lounge/dining room boasts a ceiling bursting with original beams and the expected inglenook fireplace complete with bread oven, although it's unlikely any bloomer loaves have come out of it for many years.
Imagine settling down in a comfy chair in front of the log burner while a winter storm rages and batters the coastline outside. Cosy.
But this isn't the only place to enjoy the warmth of this lovely home as the lounge also has an inglenook fireplace which also has a log burner and is so big it almost fills the width of the room.
Tucked away in the corner there is an inviting and intriguing arched wooden doorway that leads to one of the three original stone staircases in this house and is also the spot where the wall painting can be found.
From here the bride-to-be looks out into the room, almost casting her eye over what's going on in the space over the centuries.
On this floor there is also a separate study at the rear of the property with no sea view from the window to distract from any work being attempted in this room.
Just because this home is old doesn't mean that there aren't an array of modern features and additions for a potential buyer to see on a house viewing.
The kitchen has all the integrated appliances required by a house-hunter plus a free standing Rangemaster cooker and extractor fan.
But character has not been sidelined in this room as the feature exposed stone wall and choice of classic Shaker style units brings in the interior design charm .
Up the original spiral stairs there are three bedrooms, all with ceiling beams inside and special sea views outside.
A first-floor family bathroom, a ground-floor utility room, a double garage, and plenty of driveway parking completes the accommodation on offer.
From the with two patio areas there are panoramic views of the Old Harbour, Bristol Channel, and Somerset in the distance but for a closer look at the coast there is direct access to the beach from the garden.
This historic home's unique combination of incredible features make it the perfect property for anyone who wants coastal living in a character property but with easy access to the towns and cities of south Wales.
Whitehouse Cottage / Cole Farm is for sale for £775,000 with Knights Estate Agent. Give their Barry office a call on 01446 700222 to find out more.
