In a quiet village in the Pembrokeshire countryside, about two miles from the coast, there hides the most charming of one-bed stone cottages that looks like something out of a fairy tale.
And although not quite as old as the land that surrounds it, this cottage is situated somewhere that has been considered a very special place to call home for thousands of years - it even claims to be one of the oldest settlements in the county.
Website Visit Pembrokeshire states that the village of Mathry, sitting at the top of a hill, has its roots in the Iron Age, when the village would then have been a defensive fort, positioned perfectly for early sightings of any enemy approach.
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Now the only invaders are holidaymakers, understandable eager to relax and enjoy the beauty of this gorgeous Welsh county, so the location on the hillside of the village is a bonus for views rather than a necessity for safety.
On a clear day, from numerous spots while strolling around the village's meandering little streets, there are absorbing and uplifting views of the St David's Peninsula that will stop you in your tracks and enchant you to linger and admire.
At the heart of the village is the church, set on the hilltop and said to be visible for miles. Although the site has had five previous incarnations, the stone building that currently occupies the site dates back to 1869 and is called the Church of the Holy Martyrs.
Surrounded by rolling Pembrokeshire countryside and only about two miles from the coast, with St David's and Fishguard nearby too, the village is the perfect place to call home; a rural island surrounded by coast, countryside, characterful villages and even a city, albeit the smallest within the United Kingdom.
There is a local community that, as well as the historic church, can also gather at the village pub, cafe and antique shop, chapel and village hall, before or after a refreshing ramble through the stunning scenery of this beautiful area.
Along one of the small lanes, in a pretty private situation, Y Bwthyn can be found - a one-bed stone cottage that nestles into a grassy and stone courtyard complex with its period neighbours.
Step inside the cottage through the delightful stone porch and you're straight into the main reception room. This wonderful space combines relaxing by the surely much admired cottage inglenook fireplace, with a dining area tucked under the stairs that can also offer you a fireplace to keep you company at the table.
The room is a feast of fantastic cottage features that join the inglenook fireplace that can still boast its original bread oven as well as a log burner. There are flagstone floors, a slate hearth, exposed wooden beams and white-washed stone walls that ooze classic cottage charm.
The interior design is tactile and as warm as the heat pumping out of the log burner in the winter. There are earthy tones combining with natural materials and surfaces and texture and accents of classic patterns and vintage pieces that all enhance the cottage vibe rather than detract from it.
In the centre of the room there's a delightful stripped wood latch door with feature ironmongery and through this little charmer you will find the kitchen.
This room is a single-storey space and so can boast an elevated sloping ceiling that not only gives the room a spacious feel but also showcases the exposed roof beams.
The tactile stone wall continues into this later addition to the cottage and the depth of the wall between the original cottage and the kitchen is worth noting and admiring.
The original exterior wall that's now incorporated into the kitchen is a huge, thick beast, so surely you have to pity the person who had to knock through it to create access to the kitchen extension?
The kitchen has all the facilities a cottage home needs, including a feature Belfast sink, and if you were to remove the very attractive vintage pine corner cabinet in the far corner there should be enough space to add a small breakfast bistro set.
This would sit perfectly next to the rear door that looks out over the strip of quarry tiled cute patio that is waiting to be discovered outside. On a sunny day, alfresco dining out here would be perfect - in the direct rays of the sun but sheltered from the lane by a few neighbouring homes.
Plus, there's a slate paved patio at the front of the house, so you can follow the sun around the property from a choice of patios as it does its daily dance across the sky.
Back inside and the door at the end of the lounge leads to the bathroom that runs along the side of the property. Again there are delightful features to spot in here, from the stone walls to the addition of the roll-top bath.
But maybe the most thoughtful feature in here is the little but thick dividing wall - it stops the toilet from being in full view when you enter the room and ensures any occupant of the bath has privacy from the adjacent toilet, as well as somewhere handy to pop their shampoo and soap.
Back into the lounge diner and the stairs in the corner take you up to a very special slumber zone.
The only bedroom in the cottage can rightfully boast its character credentials - it has an amazing exposed roof rafter and beams structure that is the showcase feature in this space.
The wide, smooth, sanded oak floor beams and the white walls are the perfect extra filling to this yummy character packed property sandwich.
Add in traditional and timeless furniture pieces, tactile fabrics that include a Welsh tapestry blanket in pretty tones of purple, and the bedroom created is the most inviting of spaces.
And just when you think this cottage tour is done and dusted, pop over to the far corner of the bedroom and there's a mini mezzanine.
It's a surprise an open space that could be called an internal Juliet balcony that looks down to the ground floor, with a safety barrier of course, that adds to the quirkiness of this most charming of Welsh country cottages.
Y Bwthyn also comes with parking for your car as well as somewhere for you to park yourself and happily call this cute cottage your home.
It is on the market with a guide price of £245,000 with JJ Morris, call their Fishguard branch on 01348 873836 to find out more. And to never miss the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories and interiors, join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, sent out to your inbox twice a week.
