If you're a first time buyer or looking to downsize, it doesn't mean that a smaller property means settling for something standard. And not all cute houses are the same either - some can offer you unique style and bags of character, so your expectations of finding something that stands out from the crowd shouldn't be restrained by the size of the home you are looking for or your budget.
Of course, a small house that's big on character can be harder to find, but if you hunt hard enough you could find a little gem hiding in the most unexpected places.
Wander down this fairly ordinary residential road in the heart of the popular market town of Brecon, Powys, only a 10-minute walk from the centre, and there are a variety of house styles and eras to spot, but there's also a small lane that branches off from the main meandering route.
READ MORE: Stunning Tudor country manor that comes with lake, cinema and plenty of history
A diversion up this lane is well worth it as hiding behind some bushes is maybe one of the cutest looking lodge houses you're likely to find in Wales - a real fairytale building, with stone walls with a blush pink hue, carved stone lintels above transom and lancet windows and pretty, ornately carved, scalloped bargeboards that crown the stone walls below.
There are two diamond stack central chimneys suggesting the possibility of at least one opportunity for the home to have an open fireplace for cosy winter evenings. The porch is a wonderful welcome with an arched, carved stone doorway and two church-like lancet windows that make a grand statement for such a sweet house. Even the roof has something to say, with the diamond slate roof tiles adding an extra layer of fairytale charm to this unique and delightful home.
It probably won't be a surprise to many people to discover that the property is Grade II listed under its actual name of Penlan Lodge. This sweet abode gained its listed status in 1976, amended in 2005, for being an 'attractive earlier 19th century lodge with remarkably well-preserved character and for its group value with adjacent Nythfa Lodge'.
Yes, that's right, you're hunting high and low for a unique lodge-style property to call your home, the type of house that is hard to find, and this street can boast two. The listing states that this building for sale, Penlan Lodge, was at the entrance to the drive of Nythfa Hotel.
This large estate house at the end of the lane is a four star hotel that doesn't appear to be listed according to the Cadw website, unlike its little Hansel and Gretel style lodge house at the other end of the lane.
And this example of a former country house lodge building is so important to the area that even the railings and the gate are listed, and set the tone for an enchanting experience at this fairytale home beyond them, just waiting for a new owner to bring their interior design style to maybe match the inside to the dreamy outside.
But before stepping into the impressive porchway, the lodge has a surprisingly large garden in proportion to the size of the house to explore, that comes with a patio from which hours can be spent watching the wildlife buzz about and the wildflowers sway in the breeze - an enviable past-time for many.
The garden has mature shrubs, areas of lawn, areas that are ripe for development into growing your own produce and is surrounded by trees, as well as some rooftops, that makes this special home feel like its out in the middle of a sprawling country manor estate rather than tucked away in a suburb of a market town from so many angles.
There's potential within this outside space to create the most magical of gardens befitting such a pretty home, and helped with the existence of a garden shed to help store all the equipment needed to bring this garden to life to its full potential.
The tour won't take too long inside the lodge if you're looking at the floorplan on paper beforehand, but visiting it in reality is different. It is an enchanting place with a unique atmosphere that will surely make you want to linger and consider how amazing it would be to call this slice of history your home.
The porch gets you straight into the living room and the much hoped for fireplace can reward you for your optimism of its existence by also offering you a log burner nestled within it, on top of a slate hearth and flanked by exposed bricks.
There's a delightful built-in wall cupboard to one side of the fireplace that would look even more charming if stripped back to its original wood and who knows what period flooring may (or may not) be hiding under the carpet - it's definitely worth a peek to see at the very least.
An open doorway then leads to the dining room which houses the stairs, which is a compact area with dining to one side and a very attractive arch, lancet window at the base of the stairs.
Maybe bespoke carpentry could make better use of the space in here, with built-in 'bonket' seating tucked into the L-shape of the two walls and corner opposite the staircase, plus a table that can fold to be smaller or larger. These two possible additions could maybe offer more clever use of the space to provide more seating.
Through the door in the far corner and into the kitchen, a cute area tucked into a single-storey section of the home that has period quarry floor tiles. The kitchen has a door to the garden that is a bonus indoor outdoor connection, especially if it was changed to a stable door so could be partially opened when required.
However, if more countertop and storage space is required maybe it could be blocked up - but before getting any ideas and plans in your head to alter any part of this historic home it must be remembered that it is a listed building and nothing can change unless permission is granted.
Off the living room is a downstairs shower room which also has charming, period quarry floor tiles plus a vestibule area that opens out into that spacious garden.
Upstairs the first space to greet you is a large landing with characterful exposed beams. It's not a space that can be classed as a bedroom but it is a versatile space that would work very well as a home office, study, reading nook or hobby space - or a combination of all of these possibilities.
Into the only bedroom then and it's a double with a ceiling that extends into the pitch of the roof, so adding height as well as exposing its own character beams. The window at the end of the room frames the living artwork of garden views through the seasons mixed with residential rooftops.
A pretty and charming abode is not just for fairytales, rambling country estates, and buyers with a huge bundle of cash, this lovely lodge house is on the market for £200,000 with estate agent James Dean, call their Brecon branch on 01874 624757 to find out more. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, renovation stories and interiors, join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, sent to your inbox twice a week.
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