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A Charming Character Stone Built Detached Property Originating
in the 1720s as a Drovers Rest with large Workshops, Office, and
Private Landscaped Gardens. Originally two smaller cottages, this
property is nestled in the village of Rhydspence, a short distance
west of Whitney on Wye, in the Wye Valley.
Porch Entrance Hall Sitting Room Snug Kitchen Dining
Room Attached Workshops with Office Cellar 2 Master Double Bedrooms
with Ensuites 3rd Double Bedroom Single Bedroom Family Bathroom
Extensive Gardens of approximately 0.5 acres Stream Garage Garden
Shed Woodstore
The Property
Porch and Hallway The entrance to Rhydspence Cottage is through
a striking red door and brings you to the original centre of the
home. The snug, stairs and living room all branch off from the main
hallway and access to the cellar is through the full height
cupboard beside the stairs.
Cellar The cellar is currently unconverted and accessed from the
rear of the hallway down stone steps. The cellar was originally
used to store barrels, when it was an inn, and the original stone
floor is still in place. There is access to the garden via the
cellar door and a new fire escape window has recently been
installed, so is primed for conversion.
Snug Opposite the sitting room and accessed from the hallway,
the snug is the perfect quiet second living space, ideal for a
library or reading room and has an open fire. The stripped
floorboards give the room character, and the built in bookcases
fill the back wall. A window seat, also a feature of the living
room, frame views down onto the landscaped gardens. This room has
enormous character and is an inviting retreat.
Sitting Room Opposite the snug is the main living room with log
burning stove and exposed brickwork fireplace. Views to the gardens
below create a feeling of seclusion and privacy while the exposed
stone feature wall is reminiscent of its extensive history.
Kitchen Dining Room Accessed down a few steps from the Living
Room is the Kitchen which is over 24ft long. There are windows to
both sides, creating a light and airy space with exposed beams and
a door to the courtyard garden. There is plenty of space for a
large family dining table and is an extremely sociable space in the
home.
Courtyard Garden Behind the house and accessed from the kitchen
is a pretty gravelled courtyard garden. East facing, this seating
area is ideal for coffee or breakfast in the morning sunshine.
Workshops and Office Accessed through a wide door from the
kitchen are the workshop spaces and office. There are two sets of
double doors which open on to the lane, large picture windows and
skylights, making this space idea for myriad purposes including
artists studio or games room. The workshop has been insulated and
could provide further accommodation or become a self contained
annexe subject to the correct planning consent. The third workshop
is currently an unconverted garage and can only be accessed from
outside. However, the footprint could be incorporated into the
current workshops extending the space by another ten feet or
more.
Landing Returning to the hallway, inside the front door, is the
staircase to the first floor. There is a lovely half landing where
the two cottages combine, creating lovely symmetry in the front two
main ensuite bedrooms with box windows, and a long corridor down to
two further bedrooms and the family bathroom.
Bedrooms 1 & 2 At the front of the property, and overlooking the
landscaped gardens, are the two main bedrooms. Of equal proportions
and both with feature fireplaces, the two main bedrooms have built
in wardrobes, shower room and separate WC. They are both cleverly
designed to provide ensuite facilities without restricting any of
the space.
Bedroom 3 Returning to the half landing and down the corridor is
the third bedroom of good proportions and near to the family
bathroom. Small windows along the length of the room look out over
the lane and feature fireplace and built in wardrobe retain the
character expected of a cottage of this age.
Bedroom 4 Beside the family bathroom lies the fourth bedroom,
also with views of the lane. It is the smallest of the four
bedrooms.
Family Bathroom At the end of the corridor is the family
bathroom with clawfoot bath and Georgian style porcelain. There are
views over the rear garden and down to the stream.
Outside
The property which, in all, extends to approximately 0.5 acres,
is approached by a stone terrace at the front door. From here steps
lead down to the landscape gardens with winding gravel paths and
beds that are primed for the keenest of gardeners. The garden is
designed in staged levels creating fascinating corners and areas
that are ideal for mini explorers.
The gardens slope towards the boundary of the stream that marks
the border between England and Wales. The paths and steps lead
around the house below the east wall and join up to the lane beside
the bridge. Attached to the garage there is a garden shed and
piggery, now used as a wood store.
Area
Rhydspence is on the English Welsh border, home to the famous
14th Century Rhydspence Inn and Rhydspence Cottage which was
originally The Sun Inn or Welsh Inn which is mentioned in Kilverts
Diary. Next door there would have been a shoeing station for oxen;
the area is steeped in history and retains much of its charm. The
world renowned market town of Hay on Wye lies approximately 4 miles
to the south and offers a good range of facilities, including a
primary school, numerous shops, two Norman castles and, of course,
over two dozen bookshops. Hay is most famous for its annual
literary festival which is held in May June each year and attracts
over 80,000 visitors.
Practicalities
Powys Council Tax Band F
Mains Water, Mains Electricity, Oil Heating
Private Drainage
Ultrafast Full Fibre Available
Awaiting EPC
Directions
From Hereford, take the A438 towards Brecon, after approximately
13 miles, turn left towards Brecon and Hay on Wye. Continue
straight on to the A438 towards Brecon for approximately 4 miles
and then turn right into Rhydspence. Pass the Rhydspence Inn and
travel around the bend and over the stone bridge. The property can
be found on the left hand side and there is parking outside the
workshops and garage.
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