Cilgerran, Cardigan, SA43

Tucked into the end of a no-through road right by the entrance to the castle, this character cottage stands with a real sense of place. From the outside, stone walls and slate paving echo the historic landscape it sits in, with the castle just beyond the gate and castle views visible from both the garden and the windows inside.

The cottage is detached and has a stone-walled garden to one side, while a short walk up the road leads to a detached garage, complete with a spacious studio workshop with plenty of natural light, and a further enclosed garden space behind. Whether it s growing veg, working on a project in the studio/workshop or just sitting with a cuppa and a castle view in the background, there s a lot of flexibility here.

The front door opens into an inner porch, which gives a bit of space to shake off coats and boots before going through a curved, part-glazed wooden door, which the owners have informed us came from Eton, where a relative worked and was said to be made from ship timbers that apparently came from King Henry s fleet. Inside is the lounge-diner, which has plenty of character on show. The dining area has slate flooring and exposed stonework, with a feature stone fireplace that gives the room its central focus. Just across the open-plan space, the lounge area has wood-effect laminate flooring, another stone fireplace with a log burner set on a slate hearth, and more exposed stone across the walls. A few carved wooden panels, which the owners believe originated from Eton, add an extra layer of detail, offering something that really sets this cottage apart.

Castle views are visible from the dining room window, bringing the outside into the everyday. Whether it s a morning coffee or a late supper, the changing light on the stone outside gives the room a constant sense of connection with its surroundings.