In the cold, dark days of winter it might seem a stretch to imagine sitting in a hot tub in the prettiest of gardens, in the sunshine, admiring the stunning estuary view that stretches out before you.
But it's memories of such experiences at this charming barn conversion surrounded by a beautiful garden that, if this property was your home, would get you through the worst the Welsh weather can throw at you.
Pottering down the road that meanders towards the sea, alongside the River Towy, if the expansive, glorious view doesn't distract you too much, you'll see a tiny collection of former stone farm buildings nestled into the countryside.
READ MORE: The best cute and cosy cottages for sale in Wales right now
Part of the collection is this converted barn for sale, a slice of stunning countryside that can offer absorbing estuary views from almost every angle from its elevated, two acres of garden.
On a clear day, Carmarthen Bay joins the idyllic coastal scene from the well-placed garden chairs or from the bonus hot tub hiding within the grounds of this pretty dream home.
Called Stable Cottage, it's rather obvious who used to live in this delightful stone building, but now the horses have made way for humans via a conversion and renovation that happened in 2003 and extensions added in 2008 that added space, light and extra character.
Now instead of stalls, water troughs and mucking out wheelbarrows, the charming property has beautiful, country-inspired spaces that create a peaceful place to call home - for two legged, not four-legged occupants.
But before the charming property entices you inside to explore, the garden can equal the charm and the cosy corners and attractive features to make you want to linger outside.
The first area to find is not a challenge to want to stay in for a while - as long as you've packed your swimsuit - as it's a hot tub with a view.
From the bubbly water you can enjoy sipping something bubbly from a glass as you gaze out over the serene landscape of the slowly meandering river as it heads towards the sea. Sounds idyllic.
And there's no drama when it comes to changing to get into the hot tub, or when stepping out of the bubbles.
There's no need to rush down the grassy bank to the safety of the house hoping your neighbours haven't spotted you in your cozzie, as the current owners have built a changing hut right next to the hot tub for added convenience; phew.
Within the grounds that extend to about two acres, there's also an extra wooden outbuilding currently being used as a chill out spot.
Much thought has been added to the design of this extra building too. It has double 'barn doors' so the view occupies the whole end of the structure, when they are open.
The outbuilding also has its own veranda and even its own cute little garden, with pond and wooden bridge; very sweet.
This extra space could make the perfect working from home base as it has an electricity supply, as long as the views aren't too distracting and the WiFi can reach.
Beyond the field with the two huts and hot tub, there are two further paddocks that are ideal for keeping some livestock or a horse or two.
The estate agent selling the barn states that owners also had planning permission in the past to erect an animal shelter at the top of the far field but this has now lapsed.
Although this garden is set up perfectly for relaxing and socialising at a number of locations, it is also set up for growing your own produce and cultivating your own stunning flowers, with a handy greenhouse on site to help you.
But it's no ordinary, standard greenhouse, this one is rather fancy.
It's a luxury Alitex Victorian-style greenhouse that is sure to impress any plant growing inside it and blends into the charm of the garden and the home, adding to it rather than detracting from it.
And with pasture paddocks making up the remainder of the grounds, there's space here to be as active, or not, with the land as you want to be.
The garden that hugs the house is a very pretty area that, due to a variety of different levels, can offer peaceful and secluded corners to relax, surrounded by flowers, ponds, shrubs and trees, and watch the wildlife go by.
Eventually though, even though you could easily and happily spend all day in the glorious garden and grounds, the barn tempts you inside.
The entrance hall can claim to be a room in its own right, such is its size and light, with the extended ceiling up to the roof enhancing the feeling of space.
It is currently an attractive place to use as a study, joined by a gorgeous exposed stone feature wall, and very handy for answering the front door for any parcel or pizza deliveries.
The entrance hall has a wall of glass doors and floor-to-ceiling windows as the entrance, not a conventional front door and all the better for it, flooding the room with light and giving this space its own unique charm when joined with the stone wall opposite.
No wonder the hall is considered a room in its own right, it is a most attractive space not only to welcome you but to easily persuade you to stay and work or read, with or without pizza.
Off the reception hall is a welcoming snug, a cosy and calm place to snuggle up by the log burner either as a reception space or as the third bedroom.
These two charming rooms are added spaces, extensions at the front and side of the former stables, that then flow effortlessly into the kitchen.
This room is again a delightful, light space with country character added via the farmhouse-style wood kitchen, and exposed beams that highlight the room's angled ceiling.
The easy flow of the home continues up a few steps into the dining room via a double open doorway and now you are into the original barn space.
Here a sociable dining room can offer an inviting space to enjoy the fruits of the cook's labours from the adjoining kitchen.
Help with your hunt for a home here:
The room, as with the whole of the property, combines tasteful and calm interior design, with the emphasis on light tones and natural materials and textures.
The light walls and wood flooring is the perfect balance of restrained and harmonious decor to provide a backdrop for the classic country-inspired furniture, accessories and statement artwork.
The dining room flows into the sitting room via an inner hall that houses the stairs to the first floor, but not before you've found the door directly out to the sunny garden terrace from this room.
A welcome addition to the design, in the warmer weather, throw open this door and the sea breezes can gently waft in while you waft out to enjoy your breakfast cornflakes alfresco style on the terrace.
The opportunity to connect to the garden and the views is taken in the lovely sitting room too, with a door and floor-to-ceiling windows creating a forever changing piece of living artwork on the end wall.
The calm and tasteful interiors continue into this room too, with a pale and peaceful shade of blue, accents of neutrals and the use of wood wherever possible reminding visitors of the home's waterside location.
Back to the inner hall and there's a handy cloakroom for the ground floor rooms, tucked into the corner.
Then a quick trot up the stairs of this former stable gets you to two double bedrooms and a shower room, all tucked under the roof, but spacious and light and continuing the tasteful and inviting decor established downstairs.
Should you ever want to leave this lovely spot above the Towy estuary, the historic village of Llansteffan is literally down the road for day-to-day amenities, as well as drinking in the atmosphere at the romantic ruins of Llansteffan castle.
Only about eight miles in the car gets you to Carmarthen for a larger urban experience and Swansea is less than an hour away if a city is calling you.
For more nature-based activities, the area is spoilt for choice, with Gower peninsula in one direction, Pendine Sands near the mouth of the estuary and Tenby and Saundersfoot just along the coast.
But with a garden with views and a well-positioned hot tub back at home, as well as working from home opportunities from a number of spaces, it will have to be a good reason to jump in a car and leave this lovely, waterside residence.
Stable Cottage is for sale with a guide price of £750,000 with Savills, Cardiff, call them on 029 2036 8900 to find out more.
To get the latest property newsletters from around the UK, click here
