Wales is a destination for smallholders who want value for money plus beauty …
Smallholders discovered the value of Wales in both quality of life and more affordable acreage back in the 1970s and have continued to relocate there for a better life. As with moving to any area, its best to do your homework before you make the decision and visit several times to get the feel of how you would fit in.
Wales is a strongly rural country where, if you have a practical view of the countryside and a strong interest in farming, you are likely to get more back than if you think you can isolate yourself in your property without aligning with Welsh values.
It’s also a country whose strong traditions spill over into a thriving arts scene, having produced some of the most well-known literary figures plus past and present musicians. You’ll not be short of things to do, with informal and formal arts events and groups throughout the country. The property we have featured this month was enjoyed by artists and lends itself to crafts.
Wales has some fascinating and busy cities plus market towns, a fantastic coast line and stunning landscape. Getting to know the country may take you a life time.
This month’s featured property gives an idea of what your money can get you in Wales. Situated is in Carmarthenshire (Welsh: Sir Gaerfyrddin [si:r ga:ir’.v∂rðin] or informally Sir Gâr) in the south-west of Wales, the three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford. Carmarthen is the county town and administrative centre. The county is known as the “Garden of Wales” and is also home to the National Botanic Garden of Wales. There is a strong connection with the Arthurian legends as well.
It’s a mainly agricultural county although the south east was well known for industry and coal mining. Wool was important in the C18th but now the economy depends on agriculture, forestry, fishing and tourism. To the west are the gloriously sandy beaches of Pendine and Llansteffan and the county has more than its fair share of castles, hill forts and standing stones.
The property is near Porthyrhyd which has a post office, shop, pub and village hall and a strong sense of community as do so many villages in Wales. Despite being very rural, its only three miles from the A48, 9 miles from the M4 motorway, so easy to get to the city of Cardiff, and Carmathentown is five miles away.
Main image caption: Dryslwyn Castle, considered one of the most important remaining structures built by a Welsh chieftain, standing on high ground overlooking the Towy Valley in Carmarthenshire.
FEATURED PROPERTY:
Full of potential, this detached traditional farm house in Porthyrhyd, Camarthenshire, features two large integral workshops currently used for art work but could be converted subject to planning, plus useful out buildings and 4.5 acres of pasture. It’s set in a rural area with stunning views next to a minor country lane.
The house has two bedrooms and a sitting room complete with log burner.The snug leads into the main workshop which in turn, leads into a (not much) smaller workshop. The kitchen has a Rayburn, built-in storage cupboards and is a generous size making it a lovely smallholding kitchen.
The outbuildings include a very large barn (about 22.6m x 6.8m) steel portal frame with Yokrshire boarding and concrete base plus light, power and water supplies, plus a shed. The garden has a polytunnel, pond and an orchard garden including apple, plum, damson and cherry trees. This leads to a gently sloping pasture paddock of approx. 1.8 hectares with water supply and a small area of woodland along the lane.
The price guide is £415,000 and is on the market with Rural Scene.
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