GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES

TO FIND a row of historic cottages tucked away in a wooded valley on a quiet country lane that are still ripe for renovation is property gold dust. And if the location also boasts a quiet cove less than two miles down the lane and vast rolling countryside, it’s a rare gem indeed.

This property in Ceredigion doesn’t currently have planning permission, but there are detailed architect plans already drawn up that illustrate a possible future for this tiny terrace – as three cute cottages full of character.

The trio of former homes are in a peaceful area off a remote lane, but by no means isolated, with a sprinkling of neighbours along the lane and the heart of the hamlet just a walk away.

The nearest beach is tiny Cwmtydu, owned by the National Trust, and offers a breath-taking coastal experience.

But if more facilities and human contact is sought after, New Quay is less than three miles away just along the coastal path or main road.

But there’s a lot of renovation and restoration to do here.

And as the cottages are Grade II-listed it’s going to take time, and quite rightly, care and attention along with regular conversations with the local conservation officer to bring this property, thought to date back to the 1800s, back to life, whilst retaining its period character.

Website British Listed Buildings states the row of three cottages, more recently used as a single dwelling, was listed by Cadw in 1996 for being “a mid-19th century former terrace with good regional character in an attractive setting”.

That pretty much sums it up nicely. The row of cute abodes were once three homes, according to the website – a two-bed and two, one-beds.

This layout could be resurrected as three homes for three generations of your family.

Or its future could be a single dwelling– it all depends on what you require and even more importantly, on planning permission of course.

Looking at the facade of the building, there are indeed three front doors, two within the double-storey section and one in the impossibly cute singlestorey addition at the end, that even has the sweetest of stone chimneys.

Taking a peek inside this singlestorey, end section of the property and the cute space inside does not disappoint.

There’s no first floor, so the view to the exposed roof rafters instantly gives character, combined with the stone walls and fireplace nestled into the end wall.

There might not be much to see at the moment but this area could make a spectacular kitchen-diner, if the property was to be one dwelling.

Once renovated the charm would just ooze out of the very fabric of the room, with the vaulted ceiling and fireplace roaring keeping you company as you prepare the Sunday roast, or beans on toast for anyone not keen on cooking.

Imagine the space once renovated, with the beams, exposed stone walls and quarry floor tiles offering a coat of character to wrap around the installation of a new, country-style kitchen.

A huge central island with a breakfast bar or a large farmhouse kitchen table and chairs would make this a very popular place to gather and socialise.

The current drawn plans, which could be the future for this property, has the option of reinstating the building into three dwellings, so in this scenario this end cottage is a one up, one down with the lean-to at the end being rebuilt.

The cottage in the middle of the terrace is the largest of the three, with a central hallway boasting original flagstone floor and a room either side.

The living room is a surprising shell of features that still remain, and instantly bring charm to the space– the period fireplace, window seat with shutters and panelling, exposed floorboards and exposed beams and ceiling are a fabulous combination.

With some sympathetic work, this room would be a delicious mix of past and present and instantly inviting.

Opposite the living room is a goodsized kitchen with a vintage fireplace, bread oven and solid fuel range oven still nestled into the wall.

The exposed beams and ceiling appear in this space too and are joined by a charming built-in wall cupboard and quarry tile floor.

Again, good renovation and restoration will ensure this room is gorgeous, and the heart of this central cottage, with enough space to accommodate a farmhouse table and chairs.

Upstairs there are currently two bedrooms, and again the floorboards

are on show and hint at how magnificent they could look once given some appropriate attention.

The ceiling is exposed too, as is some of the wall, with the original stones finally being free of plaster and showing what they can offer as added character to the room.

The plans drawn up suggest that each of these bedrooms could welcome a small ensuite shower room at the back, but currently there’s a shower room located between them, having pinched some space from the corner of the second bedroom.

This shower room might be sporting the latest 1970’s look of an avocado suite but there’s charm here from a more vintage period via the cottage window and the exposed, robust roof beams.

Cottage three, at the other end of the terrace, is a cutie that currently, due to this property’s most recent configuration as a single dwelling, houses a room that was used for dining.

This space can boast huge flagstone floor tiles and a feature fireplace, ce, as well as its own charming ceiling and d period panelled internal doors that can actually be spotted throughout the property.

In the scenario of three cottages, this last unit has a side extension added for a kitchen and downstairs utility with washroom facilities.

There is some evidence on the external end wall of the current building that there was once a single-storey lean-to here. You can see the line of the roof where it joined the main building and the rear and front walls partially remain, so it’s more a case of replacing what was there rather than adding something totally new.

This third cottage in the triple terrace also has a bathroom and bedroom upstairs.

Outside, the terrace comes with a surrounding garden that includes a former lean-to that is hiding an additional toilet. There’s also a corrugated iron and timber shed, and a greenhouse that’s tucked away in the bushes and a hd handy addition ddi i for f keen k gardeners. d

There is currently room for parking but the agent suggests there is room for creating more space for vehicles as part of a garden landscaping project.

The plans that could be the future for this property are up to the new owner’s requirements, and the planning permission that can be obtained.

The estate agent selling the terrace states that the property comes with mains electricity, water and drainage, although not tested, so that’s good news and a good start to moving the project onwards.

The agent describes this property as “possibly a one-off opportunity and a rare survivor”– it’s survived for probably more than 150 years, it just needs someone to revive and restore it so that it thrives for the next 150 years.

■ To find out more about this terraced trio and to discover the exact location, contact Morgan & Davies, Aberaeron on 01545 571600, who are selling the cottages for £297,500.