Aberporth, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43

A rare opportunity to acquire a traditional coastal cottage with a wealth of character, less than 100 metres to one of Britain’s best beaches.

Description

Penparc is a charming and unspoiled example of the traditional cottages of West Wales – single-storey with a croglofft or sleeping platform and built originally of limewashed clom or cob. It was sited just yards from the sands when sailing vessels still beached there and Aberporth was a thriving herring port. It was surrounded by gardens on three sides to supplement livelihoods made from the sea. Since Aberporth became a popular village for family seaside holidays, Penparc has been used mainly as a holiday home, in only three ownerships in the past 90 years.

The oldest part of the cottage is believed to date back to the mid-nineteenth century. The cottage, with properties around it, was owned by John Beynon of Trewern mansion in Pembrokeshire in 1887 when it was bought by the then tenant, Mary Thomas, who lived there with her three unmarried daughters. It probably originally housed a mariner and his family. The owner from 1903 was Master Mariner Evan Thomas. In 1934 it was bought by Gladys Williams, wife of the vicar of St Gabriel’s church in Swansea, and extended for her by the Aberporth builder Mr Jenkins, who lived next door. The present owners have conserved and improved it since 2000, for example reroofing it in Welsh slate, insulating the croglofft, replacing masonry paint with breathable limewash and building the sunken parterre garden. It is a delightful survivor of the types of homes celebrated in the classic study by Martin Davies, Save the Last of the Magic: Traditional Qualities of the West Wales Cottage.

Accommodation Ground Floor
A welcoming front entrance leads into a plank-walled reception hall with a quarry tiled floor and doors leading off to the principal reception rooms. On the right is the living room with a beamed ceiling, pretty fireplace with slate hearth, display shelving above and a wood burning stove providing a warm focal point. A door on the left of the hall leads into the dining room, again with a beamed ceiling, traditional display shelves at high level and a character fireplace with ornate tiles. Steps lead down to a side hall with a bathroom suite off. A door on the left leads to the another living room that is also used as a ground floor bedroom with beamed ceiling and a glazed ceramic fireplace. At the rear of the cottage off the side hall, is the kitchen breakfast room with a quarry tiled floor, fitted base and wall cabinets and space for appliances. Off the kitchen is a useful porch with door to the rear garden and a cloakroom off.

First Floor
Stairs rise up from the main reception hall to the character croglofft that features a dormer window and impressive exposed beams. This room has restricted head height but is used as a cosy bedroom and study. A separate ‘ship’s-ladder’ staircase rises up from the side hall near the bathroom to the principal bedroom. This room features a planked ceiling with sloping eaves and also restricted head height and enjoys views towards the beach and sea.

Externally
To the front of the cottage is a gravel courtyard for car parking planted with sea-loving shrubs. The cottage enjoys pretty mature landscaped grounds and secluded gardens including a lawned area, mature shrubs, hedges, fruit trees, a fern bank and an attractive sunken parterre garden with flowers and brick paths. There are two garden sheds and plenty of seating areas for alfresco dining and relaxing in. In addition there is a raised garden terrace area with sea views and trellised planting.

Location

Penparc is located less than 100 metres away from the beach in the ever popular seaside and fishing village of Aberporth in west Wales. The village retains a wealth of character and history and offers an idyllic location to holiday or live in. In addition to its two renowned sandy beaches and breath-taking coastline, the village offers an impressive selection of pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants as well as a post-office, pharmacy, village shop, thriving village hall and primary school. For those that enjoy the outdoors with walking, cycling and water sports like surfing and kayaking, the village offers plenty of activities to get involved in and enjoy. The all-Wales coast path passes through the village.

Aberporth has several equally pretty beaches in the vicinity including those at Gwbert, Poppit Sands, Mwnt, Tresaith, Penbryn and Llangrannog. It is around 15 minutes to the county town of Cardigan with its busy arts centre and cinema, high street names and excellent independent shops, cafes and restaurants etc.

For those travelling further afield, Carmarthen (with national railway services) and the A48 M4 link road is about 25 miles away taking you onto South Wales (Swansea about 53 miles and Cardiff about 96 miles) the Severn Bridge and into England.





Additional Info

General Remarks and Stipulations

Services
Mains electricity, water and drainage. Electric night storage heating.

Local Authority
Ceredigion. Council Tax Band D.

Energy Performance Certificate
Rating G.

Fittings & Contents
Unless specifically described in these particulars, all fittings and contents are excluded from the sale though some may be available by separate negotiation. Further information is available from the vendor’s agents.

Wayleaves, Easements and Rights of Way
The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights, including rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water, and electricity supplies and any other rights and obligations, easements and proposed wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cables, drains and water, gas and other pipes, whether referred to in the Conditions of Sale or not. Please check with the Highways Department at the local County Council for the exact location of public footpaths/ bridleways.

Plans, Areas and Schedules
Any available plans, areas, and schedules are for identification and reference purposes only. The purchaser(s) shall be deemed to have satisfied himself as to the description of the property. Any error or mis-statement shall not annul a sale or entitle any party to compensation in respect thereof.

Viewing
Strictly by appointment with Savills.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Savills, (any Joint Agents) and their clients give notice that:
They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise.
They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars.
These details do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact.
Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate.
The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive.
It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise.