In the past this distinctive stone building must surely have been a bustling building full of busy people rushing about, trains pulling in and departing, and waiting rooms offering a temporary island of tranquillity from the noise and crowds.
But now the building couldn't be more peaceful - the station has welcomed its last passenger and is now a dream home nestled within the Welsh countryside that oozes character and beautiful interior design.
The transformation is so incredible it's hard to imagine this property was once a train station. The only really obvious reminder is the garden terrace that clearly used to be the platform but now alfresco dining replaces benches for impatient travellers and railway workers.
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Called the Old Station House, this beautiful home was constructed around 1830 for the Lower Machen railway line. Today the single line is still in operation but not as a passenger route, only as a dead end track to Lower Machen quarry with the occasional train trundling by between the quarry and Park Junction, Newport.
The property is nestled amongst trees that envelopes it in a leafy outlook that then opens out onto rolling countryside. It's hard to believe that Newport is less than six miles away as the house is hidden in a spot next to a railway bridge surrounded by fields and hills.
Along the country lane you'll find Lower Machen and its 24 acre conservation area, designated in 1976, that contains the 18 listed buildings found in the village. The area is a section of the Lower Machen Archaeologically Sensitive Area, a much larger protected area designated as being of special archaeological interest.
Newport county council recognises the area around the old station as being somewhere truly special, stating 'the protection afforded to this wider area helps to demonstrate the special historic significance of the Lower Machen area in general - for example, traces of Mesolithic man have been found nearby'.
The council website goes on to say that there is wider evidence of occupation during Roman times with finds of pottery, the remains of several structures and evidence of lead smelting. It has been suggested that the metalworking was carried out on the periphery of the Roman settlement which was centred on the present village area.
So there's history and beauty surrounding this rural dream home that also offers a balance between country life and city facilities that is likely to be a perfect fit, and when you do eventually find this charming abode behind big wrought iron gates and through stone pillars, the setting is idyllic.
The driveway sweeps up to the Victorian property that is surrounded by an enchanting garden that offers you strolls through the foliage to patio area via a quarry tiled path. Here you will find a pond bordered by shaped conifers and countryside views - you'd even enjoy sipping train buffet car tea in these surroundings; they are that good.
As well as the pond patio and the former station platform for outdoor relaxing, there's also a deck with pergola above that leads to a stone well which although provides extra character also provides a self-sufficient water supply to the property, according to the estate agent.
Admiring the building from the moment you arrive is unavoidable - the stone facade with robust chimney stacks, the pretty facias that hug the roofline, the added glass sections and inserts that increase the intrigue to see inside and see how this once practical building has been renovated and reworked into a stunning dream home.
Enter through the pretty porch and into the kitchen diner and the start of the interior design that has stone, wood and calm neutral tones and tactile, natural materials at its core that flows effortlessly through the house. There are exposed beams, stone chimney breasts and feature stone walls, solid oak floors and stone tiling that are the heart of the character inside. The exposed structures and decor combine into a visually warm and inviting home that oozes sophistication.
It is not clear from the front of the house that the property includes a self-contained, two-storey annexe with a broken-plan kitchen diner and lounge on the ground floor and a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, accessed via a spiral staircase. The annexe can be either shut off from the main house as it has its own entrance from the garden via French doors in the lounge, or can be joined to the rest of the property via a door from the porch.
But into the main section of the home and it is utterly charming. Enter into a cosy snug starting at the far end of the property and this inviting space offers a fabulous stone fireplace with roaring log burner and a bespoke staircase to a galleried landing and five bedrooms upstairs.
From the snug a delightful stone archway gets you into the lounge that runs the depth of the building - at a guess this could have been the station's main entrance and ticket hall.
There's a huge ceiling beam that commands attention, with the oak flooring from the snug continuing into the lounge, as do the gorgeous garden views from the windows.
The lounge then flows through double doors into the dining room, another wonderful space. This social place to tuck into your grub has French doors on each wall and opposite each other so no-one can claim to not have a rural view to accompany their food.
There's a fireplace tucked into a feature stone chimney breast before another, smaller archway gets you into the visually engaging kitchen breakfast room.
There's lots to see and love in here from the stone floor to the substantial dresser, from the country style-kitchen in soft grey tones to the structured formation of ceiling beams that visually draws you into the kitchen space.
But arguably the best feature is the large range cooker taking pride of place within a huge chimney breast crowned by a very chunky wood mantle.
The door in the corner leads to the cute front porch and then the annexe, which is the bonus section of the building ideal for multi-generational living.
Sometimes an annexe at a property is not lavished with the same interior design thought as the main abode, but not so at The Old Station. At this property the beautiful decor seamlessly appears in this extra accommodation too - no second best here.
Up to the first floor and there are five bedrooms, including the one in the annexe, and three bathrooms, again counting the shower room found in the annexe.
Each bathroom is a unique space but all are united by the use of stone and porcelain tiles cloaking the classic suites, including a roll-top bath, in natural luxury. The main bathroom has a double-height ceiling with exposed beams to gaze at and adore from the bath bubbles below.
The shower room off the galleried landing incorporates an original support beam into the design of the modern shower, perfectly illustrating the care and attention The Old Station House has been afforded during its renovation and restoration.
No strikes, no delays, no over-crowding here - this home offers quite the reverse, a private and secluded place you will want to stay and won't want to share with too many people.
The Old Station House is for sale for £920,000 with Savills. Call their Cardiff branch on 029 2036 8900 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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