A period cottage in rural Pembrokeshire, described as both intriguing and shocking depending on one's perspective on rundown properties, is heading to online auction with a guide price of £175,000 to £180,000. The property, which comes with planning permission already granted, offers a secluded location, approximately 2.5 acres of land, and the potential to become a dream home.
Hidden Location and First Impressions
The cottage is accessed via a small gate hidden along a bend on a Pembrokeshire country road, nestled within foliage and easy to miss. An old metal gate opens onto a mud track that leads to a building enveloped in a wooded site. The property appears in a rundown state, with a large sheet covering its thatched roof as a precaution, according to the selling agent, JJ Morris of Narberth.
History and Land
The seller believes the cottage to be approximately 200 years old, with an ancient thatched roof protected under plastic tarpaulin and corrugated iron sheets. Set within a substantial plot comprising a paddock and grounds extending to around 2.5 acres, the cottage enjoys a secluded rural setting, positioned roughly 40 metres back from a minor council road via a gated track. The site offers considerable potential for off-road parking, and within the grounds there is a hand-dug well, an old outbuilding, and a storage shed.
Planning Permission Granted
Under application reference 22/0942/PA, Pembrokeshire County Council granted planning permission in January 2025 for 'the renovation of Pembrokeshire Cottage including extension, installation of new packaged treatment plant, parking provision and associated works'. The approved plans reveal a renovation that would create a kitchen diner upon entering the central front door, with a hob and sink placed below the cottage windows. A door to the left leads to a cosy living room with dual-aspect garden views and potential for a fireplace. A new corridor extension links the original cottage to a new section offering two double bedrooms, both with ensuite bathrooms and built-in storage, with external finishes including timber cladding, lime rendering painted off-white, aluminium glazing in dark grey, and a thatched roof.
Auction Details and Surroundings
The agent states that full planning documentation is available through Pembrokeshire County Council or within the auction legal pack, and notes that the existing planning permission could potentially be modified, subject to approval. The cottage feels like a tranquil sanctuary, surrounded by glorious undulating landscape with fields, hedgerows, ancient woodland, and wandering streams. The nearest hamlet is Penffordd, while the vibrant town of Narberth is about eight miles away. Narberth was crowned the best place to live in Wales by WalesOnline, offering pubs, restaurants, cafes, and street food. The property will be sold via online auction on Thursday, August 20, between noon and 5pm, with a guide price of £175,000 to £180,000. For more information, contact JJ Morris, Narberth at 01834 860260.
