Sorrento, Bettws Cedewain, Powys

This remarkable mid-century home lies low in the Powys countryside, its single-storey plan rooted firmly in the undulating green topography. Inside, it has been beautifully finished by its current owners, who have made extensive use of natural materials and prioritised an open, interconnected design.



The Tour



Built in the late 1960s/early 1970s, the home has a wonderfully authentic feel. Its stone silhouette is topped with a low-apex pitched roof and takes a lateral shape that allows it to feel absorbed by the beautiful surrounding countryside.



From the quiet road, the home’s driveway curves upwards to its frontage. A garage with a sky-blue door provides a space to park on one side, with plenty more room in front of the home. There is planning permission in place (ref: 19/0948/HH) to convert the garage into an additional living space, with plans drawn up by practice Rural Office, who also designed much of the main home's interiors.



Entry is through an original door with rippled glass that casts a striking light within. Castrads cast-iron radiators and timber floors have been fitted here and throughout.



To the left of the L-shaped hallway is the living space, a versatile room with triple-aspect windows, birch plywood-lined walls and a Morsø log-burning stove. Large windows capture immersive leafy views. Left open to the room is the kitchen, a delightful space with more windows and Miele appliances.



Beyond the central corridor are three double bedrooms. The principal is a particularly lovely space with another plywood-lined wall and a window that looks out to the hills. One of the bedrooms also has built-in storage.



Next door is a sublime, Japanese onsen-inspired bathroom with an open shower, matt-black fittings, and an elegant Lusso Stone bathtub. There is a separate WC next door. Adjacent to this is a bootroom and, next to the kitchen, a handy utility room.



Outdoor Space



The garden, which is largely left to lawn, is generous and open, and visually melds with the pastoral landscape beyond. Raised flower beds lie to the front and the side.



The Area



There is plenty of beautiful landscape to explore on both sides of the England-Wales border. In the former, Roundton Hill National Nature Reserve is around 15 minutes’ drive away, while the Shropshire Hills National Landscape can be reached in around half an hour. Here, there are plenty of walking routes, and some wonderful historic sites like Stokesay Castle.



Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) can be reached in around 40 minutes by car, while Llangollen, a picturesque town at the south of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, is a similar distance north. To the south, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is around 90 minutes’ drive away. There are plenty of historic sites even closer to the house, including Gregynog Hall, Montgomery Castle, and the wonderful Oriel Davies Gallery.



A brilliant village pub is within 10 minutes' walk of the house. There are excellent amenities (including large supermarkets) in nearby Newtown. Montgomery is close and has plenty of independent cafés and shops. Shrewsbury is around 50 minutes away and has a picturesque centre, great restaurants and a renowned indoor market.



Newtown station is the closest; it provides rail services toward the Llyn Peninsula, stopping at Machynlleth and Aberystwyth, and to Shrewsbury, where connecting trains provide access to Manchester, London and Chester. There are also direct trains from Newtown to Birmingham Airport.



Council Tax Band: F