One thing you can't usually do when you buy a new home is choose who lives next door.
But when two neighbouring properties on shared land come onto the market together, then you can literally pick your neighbours by persuading your family or friends to buy the second property - unless you're lucky enough to have the budget to buy both, of course.
This sale can offer you a rural retreat packed with history and outstanding, sweeping views as a new home - and granny could come too and set up home next door.
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If you have a bumper budget to secure this unique building, then Plas-Uchaf is a wonderful property proposition, a classic 'hall house' dating back to the late 1400s that has all the character you would expect from one of Wales' historic houses.
According to the Cadw website, this principal property on a site that offers two houses for sale next door to each other, is a Grade II* listed building, which makes it a real gem.
It achieved the extra level of star listing due to being 'a very well preserved mediaeval hall house retaining many original features'. The listing goes on to say that the building is a hall house of around the 15th century, retaining many features of its medieval layout, with a small, additional later wing found at the rear.
The end-bays of the house were probably always two storeys, with a staircase at each end; but the centre was originally a full-height hall, from floor to ceiling, with central hearth and smoke louvre in the roof.
Arguably the most exciting original feature to find is a 'fine mid-hall truss exposed upstairs with traces of the smoke louvre'.
But granny doesn't miss out because the neighbouring property called Y Beaudy is utterly charming too. Although not as historic as the hall-house neighbour, the delightful detached cottage next door is also listed.
The house has a Grade II listing for being a 'well-preserved semi-timber-framed building listed also for group value with Plas-Uchaf next door'.
The approximate 3.5 acre site totally works as two separate dwellings for two generations who want to love living at the same site but also want independent living, and this is how it is successfully set up for the current owners.
Mark Gilbertson from estate agent Fine & Country Haswell says: "Presently, we have two families, the mother who occupies the main house and her daughter and son-in-law, the cottage.
"Although separately titled, they use and cultivate the land jointly to enjoy the perfect country family lifestyle yet are still able to live independently. Perfect for two families with a desire to live together."
So you can be together and yet live separately. But if multi-generational living is not what you are looking for, then how about the lovely cottage as a holiday let, subject to planning consent of course?
The third option is just to buy the historic manor house separately from the cottage and, although cheaper than the duo package, it means not deciding who is your next door neighbour in the cottage.
The two houses are nestled into the glorious countryside in the Vale of Clwyd with sweeping views of the sparsely populated countryside to the Clwydian range of hills.
And the grounds that surround this delightful duo of dwellings can offer an abundance of tranquil settings for humans, horses and local wildlife.
Next to the houses are plenty of places to park a bench or set up a large alfresco dining area to welcome guests to this private slice of paradise.
Arguably, the star attraction for family gatherings and social hangouts is the pretty walled garden, steeped in history and offering sweeping views of this most picturesque corner of Wales.
For cooks living at either, or both, of the houses there's a kitchen garden with a greenhouse and for people who like to potter about with timber, there's a workshop too.
Just a peaceful stroll through the grounds takes you through dappled woodland to a large and thriving wildlife pond that many people might reclassify as a small lake.
If you are feeling a bit more energetic than just a stroll, there's a tennis court and an above ground swimming pool, and the horses, as well as you, might enjoy a gallop through the pastureland and over some jumps in the paddock.
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There is a three stall stable, as well as a substantial half-timber barn that is a versatile space, from somewhere for sheep to shelter to somewhere to host the best parties.
Just from wandering around the grounds, even before stepping through either front door, it's clear that this site is truly captivating.
The medieval hall house is a trip through centuries past in every space, although obviously sympathetically updated with modern levels of facilities in key rooms.
To not be impressed with the abundance of exposed medieval wooden beams, multiple stone fireplaces and wood wall panelling in the hall house would be a crime, and a former owner might have a few words to say to you.
According to the estate agent, past owners of the house include the Constable of Conwy Castle and three High Sheriffs of Denbighshire.
The ground floor of the house has three main rooms, and as you enter via a solid wood, arch front door into a large sitting room, it's likely that the house has mesmerised you already.
There's so much to see, from ceiling and wall beams, to mullion windows, to a fabulous stone fireplace housing a log burner, obviously the most cosy and welcoming feature to cluster around.
The space is ample in size to include at one end a more formal dining area than the sociable table and chairs in the kitchen.
The current owner has dived into the past interior design style of such a classic house, including a suit of armour, and it looks totally absorbing.
The white walls ensure that the beams and the decor get all the attention against this neutral backdrop, with the leaded windows adding extra character to a space already oozing with it.
Next to this lovely lounge is the kitchen diner that has a surprisingly high ceiling, but it's not a shock to find a huge inglenook fireplace - surely it's expected in a house of this age?
Nestled within the fireplace is not only a generously sized, eye-catching red Aga but cupboards too, such is the size of this particular inglenook.
The exposed stone and robust mantel adds to the visual appeal of this fireplace that makes it arguably one of the best features in the house.
Competing for that title is the wall of wood panelling in the study on the opposite side of the central sitting room, and it has a case to make, as it is a truly stunning feature of this space.
What a charming room to use as an office and study, working within a cocoon of history that includes a fireplace and exposed ceiling beams to complement the wooden wall.
At the rear of the house on this level is a bonus utility room, storeroom, cloakroom and rear access to the house from the garden, perfect for muddy boots.
Up the stairs in the central sitting room to the first floor and a space that also argues its case as top of the list for outstanding features.
This lounge landing space can boast a front seat view of the massive central truss and large arched braces of this hall house, mentioned in the Grade II* listing, that have survived for centuries and now thrive as a spectacular snapshot of this home's medieval past.
This first floor also has four bedrooms, two with an ensuite, and a family bathroom - thankfully, no basic medieval facilities to be found in these rooms, there is fully modernised plumbing in place.
Arguably the master bedroom is the one with the ensuite, that also has a staircase to two loft rooms, as well as a fabulous fireplace with log burner, exposed ceiling beams, and a wall of wood panels.
But the other three bedrooms can also enthral you with original features such as ceiling and wall beams, and the bedroom at the far end can boast a significant fireplace most living rooms would be proud to accommodate.
As the loft spaces have been boarded and used for storage, the bedrooms have high ceilings but they are not fully vaulted to the roof ridge.
If a new owner wanted to lose the loft space and gain a full-height ceiling, advice from the local authority conservation officer would need to be sought.
Now the main house has totally won your heart with its original features and history, can the cottage next door steal a slice of it too?
The pretty cottage probably dates back to the 17th century and can also boast attractive original features within its partly timber-framed and limestone structure.
It might be smaller than the hall house next door but that doesn't mean smaller cottage proportions inside this gem, on the contrary the rooms have good ceiling height and plenty of light and space.
The main living room has a hefty and attractive fireplace that currently houses a log burner, as well as a wall of exposed timbers and a robust beam across the ceiling.
At one end of this room there's a door that leads into a quirky space that was obviously once the cottage's kitchen.
There are quarry tiles on the floor, a brick built slab still in place now being used as a seat, and the bread oven above the fire pit is also still in place.
The oven is a joy to discover, and is surrounded by exposed stone so tactile it would take a lot of restraint not to touch them and connect to the history oozing out of them.
At the other end of the cottage is a kitchen more this century than the last, and again the proportions and the character are evident in this sociable space too, with wall and ceiling beams and leaded windows making another appearance.
Upstairs, the cottage has two beautiful double bedrooms, one with an ensuite, plus a family bathroom.
Mark Gilbertson says: "The surrounding land and bridleways that are quite literally on your doorstep here, suggest an equestrian focused family or business could entertain the endless opportunities that present themselves if the two properties were purchased as a whole".
To do that the budget for the whole family moving to this beautiful area south of Ruthin in Denbighshire, is £1.25m.
But as the two houses are on individual titles, they can be purchased separately, with the manor on the market for £800,000 and the cottage for sale for offers in excess of £450,000, but then you don't decide who is going to be your next door neighbour.
For further details contact Fine and Country Heswall on 0151 305 6956.
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