Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Joanne Ridout

The family home with sea views in one of Wales' most sought-after coastal locations

Wales has a huge variety of three-bed semi-detached family homes that make up a significant chunk of its housing stock.

From period properties over 100 years old to distinctive mid-century homes, from classic 1920s and 30's bay fronted houses to more recent new builds - the choice spans all decades and all property tastes.

There are only a few semi-detached houses on the market that can claim to be in the sub-category of a three-bed semi with incredible sea views.

But this pretty blue home on the hillside above the pretty blue coastline of Vale of Glamorgan can definitely stake a claim for this - and it's a pretty spectacular one too.

The property is part of the Ocean View development constructed by David Wilson Homes in the popular coastal village of Ogmore-by-Sea in 2015 onwards.

Huge expanse of sand, sea and sky (Western Mail)
Ogmore-By-Sea is on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast path (Western Mail)

Nestled on the cliff above the sweeping sands of a beautiful beach, the village has been an attractive and sought-after place to visit and also buy property over the years.

As part of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast the beach at Ogmore is said to be one of the cleanest in the region.

Website thebeachguide.co.uk says the large expanse of sand, tumbling surf and stretch of coast is popular for a variety of activities including fishing, surfing, canoeing, walking and swimming.

According to the website the beach looks out towards Tusker Rock, named after a Danish Viking who colonised the local area, which is completely visible at low tide and a popular place for organised diving.

Ogmore Beach tide in (Google street view)
Ogmore beach tide out (Google street view)

The village can offer toilet facilities, shops and places to eat, as well as the ruins of historic Ogmore Castle, overlooking the river that runs onto the sands at the end of the valley.

According to Cadw, Ogmore Castle began life in the early 12th century as a castle of earth and wood but was then fortified soon after, with the curtain wall added in the early 13th century.

Ogmore Castle is part of a trio of fortresses, along with Coity and Newcastle, that were built to guard Glamorgan against attacks from the Welsh-held west.

Ogmore Castle is in the Ogmore river valley around the headland and a few miles inland (SOUTH WALES ECHO)
Nearby Merthyr Mawr sand dunes offer a stunning walk through a distinctive landscape (walesonline)

The adjacent coastline also incorporates the truly stunning sand dune area known as Merthyr Mawr, also the name of the tiny hamlet home to picture-perfect pretty thatch cottages and a historic church.

The sand dunes are a nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and includes the 200 foot sand dune called The Big Dipper, which is said to be the first or second biggest of its kind in Europe.

So the location of Ogmore is an attractive mix of stunning coast surrounded by countryside, but only a few miles from wider facilities at the town of Bridgend, plus Cardiff and Swansea are both only about 24 miles away.

No wonder then that Ogmore-by-Sea is a sought after area, where property prices are significantly above average.

According to property portal Zoopla, in the last 12 months houses prices in the village have increased by approximately 5.8%, which equates to £21,516.

The current average property value in Ogmore-By-Sea is £390,473, compared to the Wales' figure of £199,113.

Even when you take into consideration that the figures for Ogmore are skewed by the inclusion of five detached homes, two semis, only one flat and no terraced houses at all, so the average is bound to be higher, that's still a considerable difference.

There were only eight properties sold in the village and close surrounding area during the last 12 months, and only two of those have been classed as semi-detached properties.

The blue semi with a blue sea view (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)
Handy cloakroom downstairs (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)

This pretty pastel property is a three bed-semi detached home that offers a side driveway for two cars but when you're parking it's going to be a challenge not to be distracted by the glimpses of the sea beyond the fence.

This hillside location means even the cars get a fabulous sea view.

Find your next perfect home here:

The front garden greets you with a classic white picket fence before you enter this lovely contemporary home.

After passing a handy downstairs cloakroom, the next room is the lounge, a sizeable and sociable space that can easily fit two comfortable sofas and storage, perfect for a growing family.

Family-sized, sociable sitting room (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)
Contemporary kitchen (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)
Sea view from the sink and coastal inspired decor (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)

Into the kitchen diner at the rear and the first glimpse of the glistening sea that fills the view from the French doors and the window.

What a spot to do the dishes, with the kitchen sink directly under the window.

It might take some time to push through the washing up though, as the panoramic view of waves, seagulls, weather and spectacular sunsets provides constant and mesmerising entertainment outside.

Then out to the landscaped, coastal inspired garden and the best neighbour many house hunters could hope to find; the ocean stretching out to the horizon.

See the sea from the sunny terrace (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)
View from the first floor is something special (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)
Plenty of sunsets to admire in the future if you move here (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)

Imagine relaxing on the sunny terrace sipping a drink or enjoying a leisurely weekend brunch accompanied by a virtually uninterrupted sea view at the end of the garden.

Upstairs the house has three bedrooms, the master has the bonus of an ensuite, plus a family bathroom.

The interior design throughout the home is modern and as fresh as the sea breezes that surely must waft in through the French doors directly from the coast.

There are elements that pay homage to the seaside location too, with accents of tones of blue and feature driftwood accessories.

There are touches of grey too, that remind you that even on an overcast weather day, a coastal location has an incredible view to offer, watching the grey sea roar and the storm clouds gather above.

Three bedrooms upstairs (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)
Master bedroom has an ensuite (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)
Room for a family bathroom too (hrt estate agent Cowbridge)

The use of nature inspired materials, especially wood floors, worktops and tiling that is wood-grain inspired, also connects the inside of this comfortable home to the outdoors.

As you would expect from a house under 10 years old, the kitchen and bathroom are modern and stylish and the choice of white is timeless yet contemporary.

So there's no need to worry about any major repairs or work to do on the house, there's no renovation required here, just put your feet up on the patio and partake of those wonderful sea views at your leisure.

The semi with the sea view is for sale for £284,500 with estate agent Hrt, call their Cowbridge branch on 01446 772911 to find out more.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.