Wander along one of the quiet central streets of Wales' best place to live and it's not hard to see why people love living in the pretty Monmouthshire market town of Usk.
The street is bursting with individual, period properties, ranging from a stone barn to handsome and historic Georgian abodes and Victorian villas, that give the road a very attractive frontage; no wonder almost the whole street is recognised as a valued group listing by Cadw.
Some properties date back to the 16th century, and it's the variety and uniqueness of the homes on offer in Usk that has always made it a popular place to plant roots.
Combined with independent shops and eateries, surrounded by a stunning landscape and yet commutable to Newport and Cardiff, if you get up early enough to avoid the traffic, the town offers the best of all worlds - stay local or use it as a home from which to spread your branches further for work and for recreation.
Amongst these homes of distinction is a most attractive double-fronted home that instantly welcomes you with a historic hug from the pretty period facade.
Called Wisteria House, the property was listed by Cadw as Grade II in 2004 as an '18th century house retaining historic fabric and character and group value with other listed buildings in New Market Street'.
And, as well as the charm of the house itself, the setting is an idyllic country market town steeped in history that was recently crowned 'Best town or village to live in Wales' by The Sunday Times.
The Sunday Times' 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.
Other factors that led to the final list of places included schools, air quality, transport and broadband speeds to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.
Speaking about Usk as the Wales' regional winner, Helen Davies The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: "The 'Town of Flowers' is our top choice in Wales, thanks to the unrivalled enthusiasm of its population, whose efforts and energy are behind Usk's award-winning floral displays and much more.
"The town centre is attractive and independent, the surrounding countryside a delight and Cardiff and Bristol are within easy reach."
The other Welsh entries in the list were Aberdyfi, Cleddau Estuary in Pembrokeshire, Llandeilo and the Tywi Valley in Carmarthenshire, Narberth and Penarth.
More about the best places to live in Wales here.
An escape to an attractive market town in one of Wales' most beautiful counties has become increasingly popular with house hunters during the coronavirus pandemic, with Zoopla figures showing that Usk's average property value has increased by 15% over the past 12 months.
That equates to approximately £48,000, with the current average property value in the town and surrounding area standing at £360,059, significantly over the current Wales' national average house price of £198,621.
It's not a surprise then to discover that this is the first time Wisteria House has been on the market in 24 years, according to Zoopla the house last changed owners in 1997.
And according to the estate agent selling Wisteria House on one of Usk's prime residential streets, the current owners have spent time, money and oceans of love and care on renovating the cottage into the stunning dream home that has just come onto the market.
Classic, calming and tasteful cottage interior design beautifully compliments the bundles of period features that this delightful home can boast about, from an intriguing curved fireplace to the bay windows, from quarry floor tiles to flagstones.
Up to the pretty pastel facade of the home that entices you to open the robust six panel front door, and behind it you will discover more attractive decor, colours and classic statement furniture inside.
Into the light and bright, white-walled hall that creates the perfect backdrop to allow the characterful flagstone floors to shine visually and the staircase to command well-deserved attention.
The pleasing, symmetrical layout at the front of the house sees a reception room on either side of this central hallway.
The separate and presumably more peaceful lounge can tempt you away from the family rooms opposite, with a charming fireplace, warm-toned stripped floorboards and lovely views of the tree-lined street outside via the shuttered bay window.
Opposite the lounge is the fabulous, social space, with a spacious sitting room centred around a distinctive, curved fireplace that is surely the place where occupants centre themselves on a cold, winter's evening.
This sociable family space flows into the kitchen diner via a set of glass doors that allows light to flow uninterrupted from front to back, from front bay window to back garden.
Through those double doors and into a classic country cottage kitchen, with slate floors, Belfast sink and wooden worktops and completed with the expected range oven and farmhouse kitchen table and chairs.
Of course, the country-style kitchen demands a classic Welsh dresser and this room can deliver the space to happily accommodate that.
Also on the ground floor, the house can offer a utility room and cloakroom opposite the kitchen and accessed via the extended hallway that runs from the solid front door straight through to the back door to the garden.
Up that characterful staircase and three double bedrooms and a bathroom continue the pretty interior design as well as the period features that include exposed beams, fireplaces and an original built-in cupboard.
The bathroom is a fine example of renovation of a period property with modern facilities but paying homage to the age of the home, with a classic suite that includes a roll-top slipper bath and traditional square design basin and toilet.
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Climbing up the stairs to this first floor and there's a very pretty place to linger for a few moments and enjoy the design of this house that ensures the home is always a light-filled delight.
There's a clever extra window on the half-landing happily sharing light with the staircase below and making sure this usually shady spot has a share of the sunshine.
Up to the second floor in the loft and you'll find a stunning space that oozes period beams, with a bedroom and bathroom that have enjoyed admiring these exposed beams for hundreds of years, with the property said to have been built in 1734.
Open one of the back doors, in the hall or the kitchen, and a pretty cottage garden awaits that can easily compete with the house for charm and character.
A sun terrace hugs the house and then up some semi-circular steps to the lawns to properly explore the cottage garden, with roses, climbing plants, shrubs and trees bringing colour and softness at every eye-level.
There's an extra alfresco dining area next to a cute wendy house that can be used for garden storage, plus a number of benches strategically placed around the garden to offer a variety of aspects to enjoy while relaxing on them.
To join this street scene oozing with distinctive character houses nestled together in this most popular of places will cost you £650,000. Wisteria House is on the market with Number One Real Estate, call their Newport branch on 01633 492777 to find out more.
