Detached house for sale in Grove Cottage, Gladestry, Powys HR5

Situated in Gladestry, Powys, the tin-clad silhouette of these interconnected buildings is a contemporary yet complementary foil to the surrounding agrarian landscape. Its two halves are currently arranged as a bright two-bedroom house and as an airy studio apt for use as additional accommodation. Generous windows wrap and crown both, providing views across the Radnor Hills at ground level and of the star-studded Welsh skies above come night-time. Outside, private, naturalistic gardens blend into a meadowland of over four-and-a-half acres, also included in the site. While the location is secluded and with excellent access to Offa's Dyke Path, the house is also within easy driving distance of Presteigne, Hay-on-Wye and Hereford.

The Architect

CO2 was founded in 2001 and works in both urban and environmentally sensitive areas in Wales, England and France. The practice was built on the understanding that architecture can serve as a bridge between nature, culture, history and people.

Grove Cottage was completed in 2023. The house and its adjacent studio, connected by a covered walkway, replaced a stone cottage that stood on the site. The design took inspiration from the owner's love for Welsh tabernacles and is articulated through considered material contrasts that enhance light, space and volume.

Environmental Performance

The buildings were designed with efficiency in mind and are well-insulated. An air source heat pump warms water and provides zoned underfloor heating.

The Tour

A rambling countryside road with views across the meandering landscape guides towards Grove Cottage, which is set back behind a spacious driveway with room for several cars.

Entry is to the open-plan living, kitchen and dining space. The walls throughout are delicately finished with textured raw plaster, while grey engineered oak floorboards run underfoot. Large skylights have been set into the tall pitch of the roof, flooding the spaces below with light during the day. A large picture window at the end captures views over the whimsical wildflowers outside.

The room is warmed by a tall wood-burning stove with a dramatic flue that adds sculptural interest. Opposite the entrance are French doors to a covered veranda with plenty of space for outdoor seating here. The kitchen is bespoke, tucked to the far end of the room, with countertops forming a sociable L-shape.

Off the living room, a hallway leads to the bedrooms and a further single-glazed door leads to the outside. Both bedrooms are incredibly quiet and restful, with eye-level views across the grounds that immerse each room in the pastoral landscape. There is loft access in the main bedroom, as well as control of the integrated sprinkler system. Both rooms are served by a neat bathroom with a walk-in shower.

There is a covered walkway between the two buildings that can create seamless continuity or subtle delineation, depending on how the two buildings are used. Although distinct, the open-plan studio shares many characteristics with the main house; the same tall skylights draw in an excellent quality of natural light, befitting its current artistic use. A second wood burner here has a striking stainless steel flue. A second covered veranda is accessed from this room; south-west-facing, it is a veritable suntrap.

The studio also has a kitchen neatly tucked behind dark grey panelling with a cut-out hatch. Hand-built, it has a butler sink and a generous provision of countertops. The bathroom is also positioned on this level.

A mezzanine hovers, accessed via a twisting staircase with storage underneath. The area is currently used as an office and as an overspill sleeping space, but would suit a variety of functions.

Outdoor Space

The house has been designed to celebrate its pastoral environment. An enchanting wildflower meadow directly abuts the house and is a haven for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. A field of approximately 4.7 acres is also included within the plot, sits adjacent, with birch trees as well as a mature oak and oak saplings along the boundary that will grow to only further the secluded, transportive feel to the site.

There are several outhouses also included in the sale, including two stable blocks and several sheds used for utilities, log storage and as a car port during the winter.

The Area

Situated on the periphery of the Welsh border village of Gladestry, there are plenty of local amenities close by, including a local pub, The Royal Oak, and a village primary school. Just into England, the popular market town of Kington is under 7 miles away and has a host of independent shops and eateries, including The Cattle Shed in Penhros Court, which was described by aa Gill as “breathtakingly beautiful”. Presteigne is also in easy reach and has a widely renowned annual music festival.

Hay-on-Wye, the namesake of the world-renowned annual literary festival, is 10 miles away. A beacon for book lovers, the town has over two dozen bookshops as well as lots of independent coffee shops; The Bean Box and the Hay Castle Café are among local favourites. The beloved sheep’s milk ice cream maker, Shepherd’s Parlour, is also found in Hay.

There are excellent schooling options in the area including the Ofsted-rated “Good” Kington Primary School which is just a 10-minute drive from the house, and Lady Hawkins’ Secondary School, which is around 12 minutes away.

The nearest train station in Hereford; approximately 26 miles to the east, it provides direct services to London Paddington in around three hours. Cardiff and Bristol are both reachable in around two hours by car.

Council Tax Band: D